Trunk Road Biodiversity Action Plan: Review for Discussion
PART C: Area Action Plans

Introduction

This part of the TRBAP sub-divides the trunk road network into discrete areas to make it easier for road managers to identify actions that relate specifically to them.

These actions have been developed as delivery mechanisms for LBAPs and the Scottish Executive's Landscape Policy CEL:LfN. The Natural Heritage Zones (NHZs) currently under development by SNH will also be used as a source for actions as they evolve.

The natural heritage zonation approach adopted by SNH is intended to provide a logical framework within which SNH can plan and execute its work. The Zones are not intended as a classification of the natural heritage but as an operational tool which is founded on this heritage (source: SNH).

Many of the actions that have been identified in the course of developing this TRBAP are applicable to the whole trunk road network. These are set out in the table which follows.

In considering the best way to sub-divide the network into individual areas, three approaches were considered:

• Use the existing road management areas. However, these are based on road and political characteristics and could be subject to change in the forseeable future.
• Use the LBAP areas. These are also largely defined by local authority political boundaries and could be altered.

• Follow the NHZ boundaries being developed by SNH. These relate mainly to the landscape and biodiversity characteristics of a particular region, and as such are unlikely to change.

It was felt that an important feature of the trunk road network was the variety of geology, climate, vegetation and culture through which it passes. To reflect this, and to highlight the strong relationship between tourism and road travel, the NHZ approach has been chosen to define the individual Area Action Plans in this section.

Table 1 describes the overlap between NHZs and LBAP areas. Table 2 relates particular roads to the twenty one different Zones (Zones 1 and 3 do not contain trunk roads and are not included in the Area Action Plan section).

Owing to the overlap between LBAPs and different NHZs, there has been an inevitable degree of repetition between Action Plans for different Zones, for example where a Species Action Plan objective applies to roads in several Zones. However, this has been essential to ensure that each Action Plan can be read alone if necessary.

This final section is incomplete, and will be added to as the LBAPs and NHZs themselves develop and are refined. There will be a continuing process of evaluation and amendment to ensure the Area Plans address local needs and issues.

The consultation period for this Draft for Discussion is seen as the first stage in an ongoing partnership with LBAP networks, SNH, SEPA and others.