Yes. Construction traffic, abnormal indivisible loads, road geometry, bridge capacity, junction safety, temporary works and effects on other road users can all be relevant depending on the project.

Use the Transport Assessment, Construction Traffic Management Plan or route assessment where available. Distinguish temporary construction impacts from permanent operational traffic.

Sources and further information
GOV.UK: Environmental Impact AssessmentScottish Government: National Planning Framework 4Welsh Government: Planning Policy WalesDepartment for Infrastructure NI: Strategic Planning Policy Statement Edition 2Last checked: 25 September 2026

Separate ordinary construction traffic from abnormal indivisible loads.

Daily HGV and workforce traffic raises different issues from occasional turbine blades, transformers or other abnormal loads requiring specialist route assessment.

Check baseline traffic data.

Record survey locations, dates, vehicle classifications and whether seasonal or unusual conditions could materially affect representativeness. Compare the count locations with the roads and junctions where impacts are predicted.

Check the construction assumptions.

Identify construction duration, peak periods, daily HGV movements, concrete pours, aggregate sources where assumed, workforce numbers and routing. A conclusion of modest percentage change can depend heavily on these inputs.

For abnormal loads, follow the route physically through the drawings.

Check bridge and structure constraints, junction geometry, swept paths, temporary works, vegetation or street-furniture removal and any road widening. Identify whether enabling works themselves require permission or separate approvals.

Check road safety and sensitive receptors.

Schools, villages, walking and cycling routes, narrow roads and constrained junctions can require more than a network-wide traffic percentage.

Distinguish mitigation from assumption.

A Construction Traffic Management Plan can control routing, timing and driver behaviour, but it cannot retrospectively make an unsuitable physical route capable of carrying a load. Identify which issue is being addressed.

Sources and further information

Scottish Government - Information to be included in an EIA Report

Last checked: 26 September 2026