Trunk Road Adaptation Plan
A new plan to ensure Scotland’s trunk road network remains resilient and reliable in the face of climate change has been published.
The Trunk Road Adaptation Plan identifies where and how the trunk road network is currently affected by climate change, and how these impacts are expected to evolve.
It sets out a blueprint for the development and implementation of targeted measures to safeguard infrastructure, protect communities, and ensure the continued delivery of essential transport services. There are 43 actions, including:
- Prioritising maintenance in locations identified to be most vulnerable to the impacts of climate change;
- Integrating weather forecasting systems for early warning alerts;
- Supporting climate resilience through nature-based solutions like sustainable drainage systems; and
- Strengthening bridges and embankments to withstand extreme weather events.
Cabinet Secretary for Transport Fiona Hyslop said:
“The impacts of climate change on Scotland’s transport system are becoming increasingly apparent, with flooding, landslips, scour and storms already placing pressure on the trunk road network all year round. We only need to look back a few weeks to see the impacts of Storm Floris in the middle of summer.
“The Trunk Road Adaptation Plan lays out a series of measures which will be developed and implemented to ensure we continue to deliver resilience and reliability for the communities and businesses that depend on the road network.
“Our trunk roads provide vital connectivity, so safeguarding and future-proofing this critical infrastructure is essential if we are to keep Scotland moving and economically secure.”
The Trunk Road Adaptation Plan was launched at Greencity Wholefoods in Glasgow, a cooperative that supplies food and drink to businesses across the UK and Ireland and is heavily reliant on the Scottish trunk road network for distribution. With support from Scottish Wholesalers Association and Adaptation Scotland, Greencity Wholefoods have developed their own adaptation action plan which is intended to strengthen their ability to respond effectively to extreme weather events, reducing disruption while prioritising staff and customer safety.
Leigh Galletly from Greencity Wholefoods said:
"We are delighted to see the publication of the Trunk Road Adaptation Plan. A fully functional and fit for purpose road network in Scotland is essential to our being able to continue to successfully serve our customers, so a proactive strategy of investment to improve and protect our transport network is welcomed by Greencity."