Annual Review 2013

Welcome

I am pleased to present the Transport Scotland Annual Review for 2012/13 reporting on some of our significant achievements over this period.

Transport is a vital feature of the Scottish Government's focus on increasing sustainable economic growth and this is recognised with the continued investment of over £1.9 billion in transport projects and services over the year. Transport underpins how Scotland works and performs and through the development of transport projects and policies we support our businesses, communities and services, connecting people across Scotland and beyond. We support the Deputy First Minister and Cabinet Secretary for Infrastructure, Investment and Cities, Nicola Sturgeon MSP, and the Minister for Transport and Veterans, Keith Brown MSP, in achieving the Scottish Government's Purpose.

This review will cover a selection of our achievements starting with progress on our roads with the Aberdeen Western Peripheral Route moving to procurement and construction phase, and details of the replacement Chartershall bridge, near Stirling. In rail, work continues on electrification of the network and moving with the times, over 50 trains were fitted with Wi-Fi enabling equipment. The first new hybrid vessel, MV Hallaig, was launched and Scottish Canals was established as a self-standing organisation. We continue to support the adoption of electric vehicles and work with stakeholders to decarbonise road transport. As an organisation we have refreshed our Carbon Management Plan with improved targets.

Other policy issues we have progressed on include facilitating the introduction of Decriminalised Parking Enforcement, launching our Smart Ticketing Delivery Strategy, and publishing our final Ferries Plan as well as our Modern Trust Ports for Scotland guidance document. This year our Road Safety Scotland team also developed a very successful country roads campaign, fronted by David Coulthard.

These projects, services and policies deliver real economic benefits to the people and businesses of Scotland and beyond.

Later in the year we will publish our Annual Report and Accounts that will include more detailed information of our 2012/13 activities and achievements.

David Middleton
Chief Executive, Transport Scotland