Appendix 2
Appendix 2
The transport landscape estate
Scotland has a total of 3,405 kilometres of trunk road and 2,776 kilometres of rail track. Assuming a typical average maintained 'soft' landscape corridor and supporting infrastructure, this combined network brings the order of 90-120 square kilometres of land area under management.
Transport Scotland manages the trunk road asset, including all landscape, through a number of operating companies who undertake all cyclic and routine maintenance.
The quality of the landscape and management is important by reason both of area, extent and the range of habitats it supports. The area under transport estate management supports and abuts habitats as diverse as acid and neutral grassland; rock and scree; shrub heath; deciduous, mixed and conifer woodlands; watercourses; wetlands and seashore.
Developing the 'Green Infrastructure' and safeguarding and restoring valuable natural ecosystems is a key component of European Biodiversity Policy and links to the National Planning Framework (NPF3) Green Network Priority. Furthermore all landscape, designated or not, has value as recognised by the European Landscape Convention and Scottish Landscape Charter.
The transport estate is widely distributed across Scotland and has the potential to contribute positively to local landscapes and habitats through reinforcing and connecting green networks.
72 A77 Ballantrae. Views to Ailsa Craig
Transport corridors are an everyday part of all our lives; but rather than mundane, the experience of the journey through the landscape should be positive and uplifting
Transport network: usage and users
Scotland's road and rail networks involve an estimated 50 million plus journeys per annum covering a total in excess of 60,000 million kilometres per annum. The visual quality, distinctiveness and contribution to sense of place of transport landscapes are important to the travelling experience as part of everyday quality of life and as a showcase for Scotland.
The view from the road or rail corridor impacts on place perceptions and is important to tourism and awareness of our wider landscape. Poor detailing, inappropriate foreground treatments, lack of integration with the surrounding landscape and poor maintenance and management can negatively impact on place quality and perceptions of Scotland. The Scottish Scenic Routes Initiative aims to capitalise on the landscape asset, significantly improving the journey experience by developing complementary route management strategies and creating new high quality places to stop and enjoy Scotland's landscapes.
Multi-disciplinary design working early in the design process can add value to create a more integrated, distinctive and appealing view for transport users. This supports perceptions of Scotland and supports enhanced place-qualities.
73 M90 near Kinross
74 A701 ascending the Devil's Beeftub, near Moffat