5. Statement of the steps taken by Transport Scotland to promote and increase sustainable growth through the exercise of its functions in the period

5.1 Transport makes a key contribution to Scotland's economic, environmental and social wellbeing by providing an efficient transport system that enhances productivity and delivers faster, more sustainable growth in a low carbon economy. On-going investment in networks connects regions and individuals to economic opportunities, creating a more cohesive Scotland with increased social equity.

5.2 Transport Scotland invests almost all of its allocated resources in maintaining and improving Scotland's strategic transport networks (96% of its £2 billion budget), supporting over 25% of civil engineering contracts in Scotland. Investment across all transport modes, in operation, maintenance and specific infrastructure construction supports over 12,000 jobs.

5.3 Transport has a crucial role to play in contributing to the Scottish Government's Purpose of sustainable economic growth, by supporting the targets set out in the Climate Change (Scotland) Act and the aims of the Low Carbon Scotland suite of policy documents, particularly the Report on Proposals and Policies (March 2011), and the second report published in draft in January 2013.

5.4 Investment is set within a hierarchy which also promotes sustainable growth by seeking to maintain and safely operate the assets we already have, then to make best use of those networks, and finally to target infrastructure improvements.

5.5 Over the period, Transport Scotland has contributed to this agenda in the following ways:

Progress on major infrastructure programmes which will offer substantial, direct economic savings to businesses and individuals through: development of improved transport links such as the Edinburgh Glasgow Improvements Programme (EGIP) and a rolling programme of rail network electrification; the dualling of the A9 between Perth and Inverness and A96 between Aberdeen and Inverness; progressing the M8, M73 and M74 Motorway Improvements NPD project and the Aberdeen Western Peripheral Route/Balmedie to Tipperty NPD project to procurement; wider social gains such as improved road safety with innovations including those developed by Road Safety Scotland and with support from the Road Safety Framework Intelligent Traffic Signage; better accessibility through further investment in rail and bus infrastructure; and reduced environmental impact through more sustainable construction methods.
Progress on delivering the Queensferry Crossing (Forth Replacement Crossing (FRC) project) is crucial in maintaining capacity and capability of the national and regional road network. This strategic crossing is a vital economic link for Fife, Edinburgh and the Lothians, is the largest civil engineering project in a generation in Scotland and aims to secure over 3000 jobs and economic revenue of £1,300 million, through the creation of direct jobs and sub-contracting opportunities for local firms, estimated to be worth £6 billion to Scotland's economy, with £242 million having been spent in the financial year 2012/13 alone. On the project up to 31^st December 2012, 334 Scottish firms benefitted from subcontract and supply orders valued at about £130 million.
Completion and opening to traffic in relation to the FRC project, the two early contracts (Fife Intelligent Transport System to the north and M9 Junction 1a to the south of the existing Forth Road Bridge). These respectively provide southbound bus hard shoulder running capability and control traffic flows and reduce traffic congestion at peak traffic flow times through the use of variable mandatory speed limits and advance warning signs and an improved link to and from the M9 west bound.
Awarding contracts and getting construction underway on the A77 Symington and Bogend Toll Improvements in South Ayrshire, A75 Dunragit Bypass and A75 Hardgrove to Kinmount in Dumfries & Galloway which improve connections across the south west of Scotland by enhancing journey time reliability and improving safety on the A75 and A77.
Awarding the construction contract for improvements to A82 at Pulpit Rock which will improve the traffic flow at Pulpit Rock and bring real benefits for businesses and communities in the Highlands and Islands, not least the haulage industry.
The National Roads Maintenance Review (published July 2012) set out 30 initiatives underpinned by a Strategic Framework which will help deliver efficiency savings across all 33 road authorities of an estimated 10% (£60 million) every year. The outcome of the review was to promote innovation, collaboration and the sharing of services across Scotland's road maintenance sector and the resulting initiatives will be implemented through close partnership working between central and local Government.
Improvements to the rail network and services in Scotland including: the electrification of the Paisley Canal line ahead of time and below estimated cost; the opening of Conon Bridge station; and enhanced services on routes between Glasgow and Ayrshire. These contributed to growth of over one third since the start of the franchise in 2004, resulting in over 83 million passenger journeys on ScotRail services last year.
An ambitious £5 billion package of investment in Scotland's rail infrastructure and services, as set out in June 2012 and covering the 5-year period to 2019. This includes over £3 billion capital investment in the rail infrastructure, enabling us to continue to deliver strategic enhancement projects such as Borders Railway, Edinburgh Glasgow Improvements Programme (EGIP), Highland Main Line Improvements Phase 2, Aberdeen to Inverness Rail Line Improvements Phase 1, and a rolling programme of network electrification. This investment will help support further growth in rail patronage, improvements in performance levels and journey times, and reduction in carbon emissions.
On-going investment in Highlands and Islands Airports, port and harbour infrastructure and vessels, maintains air and ferry connections vital for the economic and social sustainability of some of Scotland's most remote and island communities.
Through the Low Carbon Vehicle Procurement Support Scheme and membership of the UK Government's Plugged in Places Scheme, the Scottish Government has invested over £8 million in low carbon vehicles and charging infrastructure since 2010. This has enabled Scotland's public services to purchase around 270 low carbon vehicles, including electric cars, vans and street sweepers, and to install over 500 charging posts across the country. On top of this, the Scottish Green Bus Fund has supported the purchase of 94 new low carbon buses since its launch in 2010.
Continue to support the development of cycling and walking infrastructure, alongside promotion of active travel, working with partners (including Sustrans, Cycling Scotland and local authorities) to deliver the Cycling Action Plan for Scotland and enable progress towards its vision of 10% modal share for cycling by 2020.
Continuing to promote alternatives to private car travel, e.g., through grant-funding to CarPlus to develop a network of car clubs across Scotland, and grant funding to the Energy Saving Trust to promote fuel efficient driving as well as working with organisations and businesses to encourage their transitions to low carbon travel and transport choices, particularly where cost-savings and increased business resilience might also result.
Delivery of the 'Smarter Choices Smarter Places' sustainable transport demonstration programme in seven communities across Scotland between 2008-2012, to promote greener, healthier and smarter policy aims.
Development of the strategic approach to emissions abatement within the transport sector in Scotland over the coming decades, as set out in the Low Carbon Scotland 'Report on Proposals & Policies', and work with partners such as the 2020 Climate Group and public sector forums to develop the implementation work required.
Continued financial support for the bus network through the Bus Services Operators Grant, which provides more encouragement for fuel efficiency and more support for longer routes.