Rail Bridge AGB3, Luffness, East Lothian
Case reference EIR2024/01808
Received 18 December 2024
Published 10 February 2025
Request
The details I request under the Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act 2000 are as follows:
1. Details of each inspection of this bridge since 1 January 2019 and by whom.
2. The nature of the repair works identified to be carried out before and during the works, including any structural issues identified and safety assessments.
3. The timeframe during which the repair works should have taken place (start and completion dates) and the timeframe now envisaged to completion.
4. Each estimate of the cost of the repair works from the outset as that has been updated to date.
5. Details of any contractors, consultants or companies involved in carrying out the repairs, whether any changes have been made and, if so, why.
6. Details of any statutory consents considered necessary to carry out the works and why those are required.
7. Details of all road closure application(s) and the communication with the relevant local authority and/or authorities in that regard.
In relation to each of the above items, please provide copies of all correspondence, documents, reports, minutes and other information that you hold whether in written, photograph, film, electronic or other form. Electronic information can be provided on a USB memory stick.
Response
The Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act 2002 applies only to Scottish authorities. National Highways is an English public body therefore the Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act 2002 does not apply to requests that we receive. More information about that act can be found on the Scottish Information Commissioner's website.
The Freedom of Information Act 2000 applies to National Highways. This legislation is regulated by the Information Commissioner's Office who have stated in the past that information relating to built structures and their assessment should be dealt with as environmental information.
We therefore handled your previous request under the Environmental Information Regulations 2004 and are doing so again. This action does not require agreement from yourself as the requester but is instead governed by the legislation and nature of the information you have requested.
Please see EIR2024/01573, with our response to questions 1 to 5. A redacted copy of that response (personal information has been removed) can also be found on our Discloure Log.
Information provided
I can confirm that we hold the information you have requested in your two additional points.
6. Details of any statutory consents considered necessary to carry out the works and why those are required.
Planning permission - The Planning & Building Standards Department at East Lothian Council confirmed that the replacement bridge requires planning permission.
NatureScot Bat Licence - Currently all potential bat roost features are blocked. Prior to the replacement bridge deck works, if any open features are recorded, they will need to be re-excluded by a NatureScot bat licensed ecologist. If roosting bats are found during open features, works must immediately stop, and a licence obtained from NatureScot before further works may proceed.
7. Details of all road closure application(s) and the communication with the relevant local authority and/or authorities in that regard.
The eight documents listed below can be downloaded from this link EIR2024 01808.
They are copies of the applications / requests submitted to East Lothian Council for the Temporary Road Closure Orders (TTRO) from 19/02/24 until 31/01/25 by WI&A Gilbert on behalf of Balfour Beatty.
Personal information has been withheld under Regulation 13 of the Environmental Information Regulations 2004.
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AGB3 TTRO Extension Request 240731_Redacted
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AGB3 TTRO Extension Request 240930_Redacted
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ELC_Permit_Application_TTRO AGB3 Rail Bridge_Corrected 22-03-24_Redacted
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ELC_Permit_Application_TTRO AGB3 Rail Bridge_Corrected_Redacted
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ELC_Permit_Application_TTRO AGB3 Rail Bridge_Extension 31-01-25_Redacted
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24254EM241219 - AGB3 Disused Rail Bridge (U138 Luffness)_Redacted
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24254-02_AGB3 Luffness Mains TM Plan
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ELC_Permit_Application_TTRO AGB3 Rail Bridge_Extension 31-07-25_Redacted
Documents
This is National Highways' response to a freedom of information (FOI) or environmental information regulations (EIR) request.
You can browse our other responses or make a new FOI request.