Introduction
About Transport Scotland
Transport Scotland is the national transport agency, delivering the Scottish Government’s vision for transport, and accountable to Parliament and the Public through the Scottish Ministers. Our vision, outlined within our National Transport Strategy, is to have a sustainable, inclusive, safe and accessible transport system, helping deliver a healthier, fairer and more prosperous Scotland for communities, businesses and visitors.
Scottish Trunk Roads Supporting Economic Growth
The importance of an effectively managed and efficiently maintained transportation system is a key enabler of the Scottish Government’s objective to create a more successful country.
The trunk road network connects Scotland's major cities, towns, rural communities, airports, and ports. The network is one of the largest assets managed by Scottish Ministers, with a value of £33 billion (Net asset value. Annual Report and Accounts 2024-25). It serves as a vital artery for the movement of people, goods, and services across the country, critical to our economy and the daily lives of our people. The trunk road network provides the foundation for economic, social, and environmental wellbeing that Scotland relies on.
Trunk roads represent 7% of Scotland's total road length but carry around 40% of all traffic and 70% of heavy goods vehicle traffic. Supporting at least £1.84 billion of value to our economy annually, as stated in the TRL Report 2016 (figure based on Gross Value Added (GVA) is an economic metric that measures the value of goods and services produced in an area, industry, or sector of an economy. It is a component in calculating Gross Domestic Product (GDP). This connectivity is both essential for economic growth, and socially crucial for Scotland by providing more equitable access to employment and services.
Trunk roads also play a crucial role in tourism, with many visitors relying on them to access Scotland's scenic and cultural attractions. Efficient trunk roads reduce travel times and vehicle carbon emissions, contributing to the Scottish Government’s environmental goals and improving the quality of life for the people who live near the network.
The Scottish Government and Transport Scotland have a long-term commitment to ensuring that the trunk road network is maintained in a manner that supports its vision, aims and objectives, creating opportunities for sustainable economic growth, and the prosperity that follows.
About the Road Asset Management Plan
Within Transport Scotland, the Roads Delivery and Operations Directorate is responsible for road asset management. The Roads Delivery and Operations Directorate produces this Road Asset Management Plan (RAMP). Alongside our Asset Management Policy and Strategy, the RAMP sets out our approach to managing road assets to deliver the objectives of Transport Scotland and the Scottish Government.
Note: Asset management is the coordinated activity of Transport Scotland to manage our road assets to maximise customer satisfaction, maintain high levels of safety, improve journey time reliability, manage risks (including the impacts of climate change), and enable delivery of our outcomes and priorities in the most efficient and sustainable manner.
Transport Scotland was the first national UK roads authority to achieve ISO 55001 certification, demonstrating our alignment with good practice in asset management. This third edition of the RAMP continues our progressive approach to improving our asset management capabilities and provides transparency in asset decision-making.
The RAMP is available on the Transport Scotland website. It is used by Transport Scotland staff and supply chain teams to provide visibility of trunk road management and maintenance activities, and to drive continual improvement. It may also be of interest to those who wish to learn more about the service we deliver and how we intend to do so.