Agglomerations Noise Action Plan for Scotland: impact assessments 2026

1. Child Rights and Wellbeing Impact Assessment (CRWIA) for The Agglomerations Noise Action Plans for Scotland: Round 4 (2026)

Disclaimer

This document is a point in time assessment of the likely effects of the above-named proposal on the rights and wellbeing of children and young people. This impact assessment should be read in conjunction with other impact assessments prepared for this proposal.

Scottish Government acknowledge the importance of monitoring and evaluating the impact of strategic decisions and legislation on children’s rights and wellbeing. Any information gathered during implementation of the legislation or strategic decision to which the impact assessment relates, will be used to inform future determinations of impact. Any new strategic decision or new legislation (including amending legislation) would be subject to a new CRWIA in line with the legislative requirements.

Child Rights and Wellbeing Impact Assessment

1.1 Brief Summary

Type of proposal:

• Decision of a strategic nature relating to the rights and wellbeing of children

Name the proposal, and describe its overall aims and intended purpose.

The Agglomerations Noise Action Plans for Scotland: Round 4 (2026), sets out actions for the Scottish Government and local authorities to support noise management within five specified agglomerations, with a focus on potential areas of high noise levels (e.g. from road and rail sources).

The five agglomerations are Aberdeen, Dundee, Edinburgh, Falkirk and Glasgow. An agglomeration is defined as an area with more than 100,000 inhabitants (people living in an area) in an urbanised area (a place where lots of people live close together) with a population density equal to or greater than 500 people per km².

The analysis of the Noise Map for Scotland enables the identification within the plan for candidate Noise Management Areas (to prevent and reduce environmental noise where possible) and candidate Quiet Areas (to preserve environmental noise quality where it is good).

Modelled noise exposure levels have been mapped for Scotland and that information is available to the public. These maps include all road and rail sources (major and non-major) for the whole of Scotland; previously this level of detail was only produced within the agglomerations. The model will enable the identification of candidate Noise Management Areas (CNMAs) and candidate Quiet Areas (CQAs). CNMAs focus on those areas where people are most likely to be annoyed by noise; whilst CQAs aim to preserve quiet areas in the agglomeration. The Agglomerations Noise Action Plan for Scotland is based on these strategic noise maps. The fundamental process is the same as previously (Rounds 1-3) whereby a noise model calculates the noise exposure levels within each specified agglomeration; however the Round 4 noise model used an updated methodology (CNOSSOS-EU) and expanded the mapping to include all road and rail sources for the whole of Scotland, and one Agglomerations Noise Action Plan covers all the identified agglomerations (as opposed to each agglomeration producing its own noise action plan).

Start date of proposal’s development: September 2024

Start date of CRWIA process: September 2024

1.2 With reference given to the requirements of the UNCRC (Incorporation) (Scotland) Act 2024, which aspects of the proposal are relevant to/impact upon children’s rights?

The Agglomerations Noise Action Plan for Scotland is based on the Strategic Noise Maps for Scotland, which model environmental noise to which humans are exposed, this includes in built up areas, public parks or other quiet areas in an agglomeration, near schools, hospitals, and other noise sensitive buildings and areas. The model applies to noise from road, railway and airport sources, as well as industrial noise.

It is intended that children and young people will benefit indirectly, as the Agglomerations Noise Action Plan for Scotland aims to model noise levels across Scotland. The identification of candidate Noise Management Areas (CNMAs) will enable local authorities to consider potential mitigation measures to reduce environmental pollution (noise) that could have an adverse effect on health or wellbeing, whilst the identification of candidate Quiet Areas (CQAs) will enable the preservation of areas that are demonstrably quieter than the immediate surrounding area (article 24). Potentially a CNMA or CQA could be in the proximity of a school or hospital (article 28).

The local authorities will assess and prioritise the identified CNMA and CQAs to determine which areas will be designated as Noise Management Areas and Quiet Areas, and consider the viability of any relevant mitigation measures.

1.3 Please provide a summary of the evidence gathered which will be used to inform your decision-making and the content of the proposal

Evidence from:

• existing research/reports/policy expertise

The Agglomerations Noise Action Plan for Scotland is based on the Strategic Noise Maps for Scotland. The Strategic Noise Maps for Scotland model environmental noise to which humans are exposed. The Strategic Noise Maps for Scotland support the identification of candidate Noise Management Areas (CNMAs) highlighting potential areas where people are most likely to be annoyed by noise.

• consultation/feedback from stakeholders

Not applicable

A consultation on the Agglomeration Noise Maps for Scotland, was held from 04 November 2025 to 31 December 2025. We did not receive any response directly related to children and young people.

• consultation/feedback directly from children and young people

Not applicable

A consultation on the Agglomeration Noise Maps for Scotland, was held from 04 November 2025 to 31 December 2025. We did not receive any responses directly related to children and young people.

1.4 Further to the evidence described at ‘3’ have you identified any 'gaps' in evidence which may prevent determination of impact? If yes, please provide an explanation of how they will be addressed

Not applicable

1.5 Analysis of Evidence

Not applicable

1.6 What changes (if any) have been made to the proposal as a result of this assessment?

Not applicable

Conclusion

1.7 As a result of the evidence gathered and analysed against all UNCRC requirements, what is the potential overall impact of this proposal on children’s rights?

Neutral – the process for the identification of Noise Management Areas (CNMAs) and Quiet Areas (CQAs) will support local authority in considering any potential mitigation measures. Any reductions to noise exposure will support better health outcomes for everyone in the area. .

1.8 If you have identified a positive impact on children’s rights, please describe below how the proposal will protect, respect, and fulfil children’s rights in Scotland.

Not applicable

1.9 If a negative impact has been identified please describe it below. Is there a risk this could potentially amount to an incompatibility?

Not applicable

Mitigation Record

What options have been considered to modify the proposal in order to mitigate a negative impact or potential incompatibility?

Issue or risk identified and relevant UNCRC requirement

Not applicable

Action Taken/ To Be Taken

Not applicable

Date action to be taken or was taken

Not applicable

1.10 As a result of the evidence gathered and analysed against all wellbeing indicators, will the proposal contribute to the wellbeing of children and young people in Scotland?

Safe: Not Applicable

Healthy: Yes

Achieving: Not Applicable

Nurtured: Not Applicable

Active: Not Applicable

Respected: Not Applicable

Responsible: Not Applicable

Included: Not Applicable

If yes, please provide an explanation below:

The process for the identification of candidate Noise Management Areas (CNMAs) and candidate Quiet Areas (CQAs) will enable local authorities to consider potential mitigation measures, if appropriate. Any improvement to noise exposure resulting from the CNMA or CQA process will be experienced by all groups previously affected.

1.11 How will you communicate to children and young people the impact that the proposal will have on their rights?

This CRWIA will be publicly available - published on the gov.scot website. This has been drafted in accessible language for children and young people.

Post Assessment Review and sign-off

1.12 Planning for the review of impact on children’s rights and wellbeing

The Agglomerations Noise Action Plan for Scotland is reviewed and updated every five years. When the noise action plans is updated the CRWIA will be reviewed and any new aspects assessed for their potential impacts on children and young people’s rights.

1.13 Sign off

Policy Lead Signature and Date of Sign Off: Phil Leeks 27 January 2026

Deputy Director Signature and Date of Sign Off: Anne Aitken 17 February 2026

Date CRWIA team first contacted: 19 January 2026