Introduction

Project Overview

In August 2021, it was agreed by the Scottish Government to take forward a transport enhancements programme on the A96 corridor that improves connectivity between surrounding towns, tackles congestion and addresses safety and environmental issues.

Whilst the current plan is to fully dual the A96 route, it was agreed as part of this process there would be a transparent, evidence-based review of the programme, to include a climate compatibility assessment to assess direct and indirect impacts on the climate and the environment. Other statutory assessments would also be undertaken which include a Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) and Statutory Impact Assessments (SIAs).

As it has already received Ministerial consent following a Public Local Inquiry, dualling of the A96 from Inverness to Nairn as well as a bypass of Nairn is separate from the wider A96 Review process.

The A96 Corridor Review has been carried out in accordance with the Scottish Transport Appraisal Guidance (STAG) . STAG is the best practice, objective-led approach to transport appraisal. The transport appraisal has considered all relevant transport modes within the A96 corridor, including active travel, public transport, rail and roads-based transport modes. Adopting STAG also brings the Review in line with the same methodology as set out in the Second Strategic Transport Projects Review (STPR2).

The A96 Corridor Review has been carried out by design consultants Jacobs AECOM acting on behalf of Transport Scotland. The Review considers transport problems and opportunities within the A96 corridor. It also looks at the changing policy context and other key considerations, such as development and growth aims for the corridor and surrounding area. Additionally, it considers the impact of the global climate emergency and the COVID-19 pandemic on how people work and travel within the corridor.

A96 Corridor Review Study Area

The A96 Corridor Review covers the 155km transport corridor from Raigmore Interchange at Inverness to Craibstone Junction at Aberdeen and connects several communities along its route, including Nairn, Forres, Elgin, Fochabers, Keith, Huntly, Inverurie and Kintore.

Figure 1.1 shows the extent of the A96 Corridor Review study area.

 

A map which shows the A96 Corridor Review Study Area, which covers the area described in the main text. The map shows the study areas for the Engineering, Environmental and Transport Appraisal assessments.
Figure 1.1: Map showing extent of A96 Corridor Review Study Area

 

 

A96 Corridor Review Process

To inform the A96 Corridor Review (‘the Review’), an initial public consultation exercise was undertaken between May and June 2022, along with engagement with stakeholder groups across the A96 corridor. A summary of this process and feedback is in the Stakeholder & Public Engagement Consultation Report (Dec 2022) .

This consultation and stakeholder engagement exercise informed the initial stages of the STAG appraisal, which resulted in publication of the A96 Corridor Review Case for Change (Dec 2022) .

The detailed appraisal stage of the Review considered a range of options including the Scottish Government’s current commitment of Full Dualling of the A96, and a multi-modal package of transport interventions referred to as the ‘Refined Package’. The Refined Package comprised of the following interventions:

  • Active Communities – Delivery of networks of high-quality active travel routes and placemaking improvements within key communities along the A96 corridor.
  • Improved Public Transport Passenger Interchange Facilities - Improving public transport passenger facilities, including accessibility and quality enhancements at bus stations and railway stations.
  • Investment in Demand Responsive Transport (DRT) and Mobility as a Service (MaaS) – Improved access to flexible travel opportunities in locations with low bus network connectivity or where conventional fixed route services may not be suitable or viable, whilst improving digital transport services.
  • Linespeed, Passenger and Freight Capacity Improvements on the Aberdeen to Inverness Rail Line – Three distinct interventions - linespeed improvements to reduce end-to-end journey times to two hours, the provision of passing loops to enable a more frequent passenger service and the provision of freight facilities to enable intermodal freight growth.
  • Targeted Road Safety Improvements – Improving the safety performance of the A96 trunk road to address both real and perceived road safety concerns.
  • Elgin Bypass – Provision of a bypass around the town of Elgin.
  • Keith Bypass – Provision of a bypass around the town of Keith.
  • A96 Electric Corridor – Improve the provision of alternative refuelling infrastructure and facilities along the A96 corridor and its interfacing local roads.

The draft outcomes of the Review’s appraisal and assessment work identified that the Refined Package was the best performing in terms of the assessment criteria. In November 2024 the draft outcomes of the Review were published for public consultation in the following reports:

A96 Corridor Review, Strategic Business Case - Transport Appraisal Report (Draft)

A96 Corridor Review, Strategic Business Case – Summary of Main Report (Draft)

A96 Corridor Review – Draft Summary Report

A96 Corridor Review, Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) Draft Environmental Report

A96 Corridor Review, Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) Draft Non-Technical Summary

A96 Corridor Review, Climate Compatibility Assessment (CCA)

Statutory Impact Assessments (SIAs):

A96 Corridor Review, Equality Impact Assessment (EqIA)

A96 Corridor Review, Child Rights and Wellbeing Impact Assessment (CRWIA)

A96 Corridor Review, Fairer Scotland Duty Assessment (FSDA)

A96 Corridor Review, Partial Business and Regulatory Impact Assessment (BRIA)

The 12-week consultation, which gave the public and other stakeholders the opportunity to fully consider and respond to the findings of the appraisal, ended on Friday 21 February 2025 and received over 1,400 responses. A detailed analysis of the feedback has been undertaken and the results of the public consultation are presented in the following sections.

Report Contents

This report consists of:

Section 1: Introduction – a background on the Review.

Section 2: Methodology and Approach – outlines the approach and methodology to facilitate consultation and feedback on the draft outcomes of the Review.

Section 3: Stakeholder Engagement – explains the methodology for the stakeholder briefing sessions and summarises the feedback and themes of responses provided by these stakeholders.

Section 4: Online Feedback Survey Analysis – explains the analysis of feedback received through the online feedback survey and provides a breakdown of the analysis of the responses.

Section 5: Additional Feedback Received – provides a breakdown of the feedback received via email and letters (including a scanned copy of a written letter forwarded onto the project inbox).

Section 6: Next Steps – provides a summary of next steps for the Review.