Annual Review 2013

Achievements

Transport Scotland has delivered a wide range of achievements since it was formed in 2006. These include major national transport projects for road and rail transport, and support for sustainable public transport networks and services throughout Scotland. The Agency addresses transport issues and needs on a medium and long-term basis under a coherent strategy focussed on delivering the Scottish Government's Purpose of increasing sustainable economic growth.

Strategic transport issues are refreshed regularly against the Scottish Government's Purpose as part of the Agency's business planning. The Corporate Plan 2012-15 sets out the current five key delivery priorities for that period, with a focus on delivering 50 commitments to meet Ministers key objectives.

Transport investment decisions are underpinned by detailed analysis and planning, reflecting the economic benefits and environmental factors involved. Investment for the longer term contributes to the Scottish Government's wider programme under the Infrastructure Investment Plan 2011.

The Agency's wider role since 2010 encompasses all devolved national transport policies and programmes in Scotland. In 2012/13, 95 per cent of Transport Scotland's £1.9 billion budget was invested back into the private sector, supporting 25 per cent of civil engineering contracts in Scotland and 12,000 jobs. All are key aspects of Transport Scotland's role to support delivery of the Scottish Government's Purpose and vision in Scotland, making a real difference for people and businesses using national transport systems.

The Civil Engineering Construction Association (CECA), representing over 100 of Scotland's leading civil engineering companies, acknowledged that key publicly-funded transport projects, including the Forth Replacement Crossing, Borders Railway and Edinburgh - Glasgow Improvement Programme, are helping to stimulate economic growth and support jobs. Other future projects that should help sustain this include the Aberdeen Western Peripheral Route, procurement of the M8 M73 M74 Motorway Improvements and other shovel ready projects.

The following table of achievements is presented in the context of the Scottish Government's Purpose and Transport Scotland's five Delivery Priorities and showing under the three Key Strategic Outcomes set out in the National Transport Strategy (2006) the key deliverables completed since the Agency's first year of operation in 2006.

The Scottish Government's Purpose

To focus government and public services on creating a more successful country, with opportunities for all of Scotland to flourish, through increasing sustainable economic growth

Transport Scotland Delivery Priorities

Improved connections
across Scotland and internationally		 Better journey times, better reliability, quality and accessibility Increased safety, more innovation Continuously improving performance and organisation Low carbon technology and infrastructure, reduced emissions

National Transport Strategy Key Strategic Outcomes

Improved journey times and connections Reduced emissions Improved quality, accessibility and affordability
  • Active Travel (walking and cycling) funding supported further development of the National Cycle Network and strengthened community links
  • Updated Cycling Action Plan for Scotland issued
  • Outstanding contractual commitments relating to the Air Route Development Fund fully met
  • Most actions of the Action Plan for Buses delivered
  • Road Equivalent Tariff now permanent on services to the Western Isles, Coll and Tiree, Islay, Colonsay and Gigha
  • Scotland's year round direct freight ferry service to Europe between Rosyth and Zeebrugge now in operation
  • Freight Action Plan delivered in 2006
  • Freight Best Practice programme maintained
  • Stirling-Alloa-Kincardine rail link and Airdrie to Bathgate Rail Line completed
  • Ayrshire rail services upgraded
  • New stations opened at Laurencekirk and Conon Bridge
  • Works commenced on Borders Rail Link and the Edinburgh Glasgow Improvement Programme
  • Strategic Business Case for bringing high speed rail to Scotland produced
  • Rail High Level Output Specification and Statement of Funds Available over the period 2014 to 2019 published
  • Scotland's Road Safety Framework to 2020 published
  • Road safety education and publicity materials issued
  • Following road projects completed: M74 Completion, M80 Stepps to Haggs, A96 Fochabers Bypass; and A9 Crubenmore
  • Following road projects proceeding: Forth Replacement Crossing, A82 Pulpit Rock, A77 Symington to Bogend Toll, A75 Hardgrove to Kinmount, A75 Dunragit Bypass, the A90 Aberdeen Western Peripheral Route (AWPR)/ Balmedie to Tipperty and the M8 M73 M74 Motorway Improvements and the upgrading of the M90, A95 Lackgie, A96 Threapland and A702 Candymill Bend and Edmonstone Brae
  • Intelligent Transport Systems in place on the M74 Completion, M80 Stepps to Haggs Improvement and the FRC
  • National Road Maintenance Review concluded
  • Transport Resilience improved (Multi Agency Response Team created)
  • Rail freight policy framework developed
  • Transport infrastructure investment hierarchy implemented
  • Mitigation of road projects environmental impact whenever possible
  • 98% of all planning applications which do not require a Transport Assessment were responded within 14 days over the last three years
  • Designing Streets published March 2010
  • Revised Cycling by Design published June 2011
  • Smarter Choices, Smarter Places demonstration programme, for increased active/sustainable travel, public transport use and integration of modes, evaluated in 2013
  • Over £113m invested in cycling infrastructure since 2007
  • Development of Car Clubs funded since November 2010
  • Investment of £8m in low carbon vehicles since 2010. The E-cosse working group set up in 2012
  • Involved with public sector climate change to engage organisations and businesses in making the transition to low-carbon transport
  • Uptake of 270 government electric/hybrid vehicles funded since 2010. 500 double outlet charging posts of which over 300 will be publicly available across Scotland by summer 2013
  • Capital investment through the Plugged in Places (PiP) initiative, a programme of electric vehicle infrastructure
  • The Energy Saving Trust grant-funded to work with businesses and organisations in relation to transport and travel choices
  • The Forth Replacement Crossing project will make provision of a dedicated multi-modal corridor giving priority to public transport
  • Launch of the first of the new hybrid vessels, the MV Hallaig. This vessel will enter service on the Sconser-Raasay route in summer 2014
  • Road tolls removed
  • National concessionary travel scheme for young people introduced in 2007
  • Relevant accessibility planning tools made available to Regional Transport Partnerships (RTPs) and local authorities
  • Smart technology and equipment fully rolled out since 2010 across the Scottish bus fleet, in order to help run the concessionary fares schemes effectively. ScotRail has rolled out a Smartcard pilot, launched in May 2010, on the Edinburgh-Glasgow route
  • Extension from April 2011 of the eligibility criteria for concessionary fares scheme for older and disabled people to include HM Service Personnel and Veterans under the age of 60 seriously injured in service
  • Blue Badge Improvement Service commenced on 1 January 2012. Mandatory independent mobility assessments to determine eligibility into effect on 1 September 2012
  • Since Access for All was launched in 2006, the £41m fund has supported 11 station upgrades by installing Disability Discrimination Act (DDA) compliant bridges, lifts and ramps
  • Trunk Road Accessibility Action Plan 'Roads for All' (published Dec 2006) taken forward as part of Scottish Government's Equality Duty
  • Since November 2010 joint Traveline Scotland/Traffic Scotland smartphone app putting traffic and public transport information together
  • From 2013 individuals receiving the new Personal Independence Payments are eligible for free bus travel, as these are introduced under UK Government welfare reform, gradually replacing Disability Living Allowance

More information on the work of the Agency is available in the following documents:

  • Corporate Plan 2012-15
  • Annual Business Plan 2013-14
  • Annual Report and Accounts 2011-12
  • Scottish Government Infrastructure Investment Plan (IIP) progress report February 2013
  • National Transport Strategy 2006