Objective Mapping and Refinement
Introduction
This section presents details of the objectives developed for the A75 Springholm and Crocketford Improvements scheme including the refinement of the initial draft objectives and their alignment with the overarching objectives of the second Strategic Transport Projects Review (STPR2). The refinements to the initial draft scheme objectives are outlined, focussing on the proposed changes to provide additional clarity and follow SMART principles as far as possible i.e. that objectives are Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Realistic and Time-bound.
The refined objectives have been ‘mapped’ to check their alignment with the South West Scotland Regional Sub-Objectives that were developed under STPR2, and hence with the overarching national level STPR2 objectives. The overarching set of Transport Planning Objectives (TPOs) established as part of STPR2 are closely aligned with the four priorities and 12 outcomes contained within the second National Transport Strategy (NTS2).
South West Scotland Transport Study and Strategic Transport Projects Review 2
The South West Scotland Transport Study - Initial Appraisal: Case for Change (SWSTS) identified a number of problems and opportunities that were then used to inform the identification of key transport themes, and in turn the development of regional TPOs that would seek to address these key problems and opportunities in the region. STPR2 formed a set of national objectives aligned to the priorities and outcomes contained within the NTS2. These overarching national-level objectives are supported by a series of regional sub-objectives, tailored to the unique problems and opportunities identified within each STPR2 region. In the case of the South West Scotland regional sub-objectives TPOs were developed to address the problems and opportunities identified within the SWSTS.
Under STPR2 these regional sub-objectives were taken through a mapping exercise to ensure that they aligned with the SWSTS objectives, and that no gaps were present. This mapping exercise confirmed that all of the SWSTS objectives map to at least one of the STPR2 overarching objectives and sub-objectives. This provides confidence that the TPOs identified within STPR2 for the South West of Scotland are aligned to those identified in the SWSTS. Further information on these objectives, and the mapping exercise, can be found within the South West Scotland Option Sifting Update Report .
A similar process has been undertaken to confirm the alignment of the A75 Springholm and Crocketford Improvements objectives to the overarching STPR2 national-level objectives and the regional objectives for South West Scotland.
Draft Scheme Objectives
The initial draft objectives for the A75 Springholm and Crocketford Improvements, as set out in the original services brief, are as follows:
- Reduce the environmental impacts and severance caused by the A75 Trunk Road in Springholm and Crocketford and enhance placemaking opportunities.
- Improve the resilience and reliability of the A75 for freight and other road users traveling to the ports at Cairnryan.
- Improve road safety on the A75 Gretna to Stranraer strategic corridor, through increased overtaking opportunities of slower moving vehicles.
- Increase land-use and transport opportunities to capitalise on the built and natural environment of South West Scotland for the benefits of those living in the region.
These objectives were subject to a refinement process and review following SMART principles as far as possible and were mapped to confirm their alignment with the broader national objectives and regional sub-objectives set out in STPR2. The next section summarises the objective refinement process and concludes with the mapping of alignment between the refined objectives and the STPR2 objectives.
Objective Refinement
This section outlines the refinement process that has been undertaken for the A75 Springholm and Crocketford Improvements and summarises the rationale for the changes that have been made.
Each of the initial draft objectives was mapped to check how well it would align with the STPR2 TPOs. The draft objectives were then refined to give additional clarity and ‘SMARTened' where possible to provide better alignment with the overarching STPR2 national objectives and the South West Scotland regional objectives. Note that at this stage capturing the timed element in the refined objectives is linked to the uncertainty surrounding the timeframes for the next stage of development and future construction programme for the proposed scheme.
Each of the original and refined objectives are presented, with a summary of the rationale for the refinements provided.
First Objective
Original Objective
Reduce the environmental impacts and severance caused by the A75 Trunk Road in Springholm and Crocketford and enhance placemaking opportunities.
Refined Objective
Reduce the environmental impacts and severance caused by strategic traffic using the A75 trunk road within Springholm and Crocketford, by achieving a reduction in traffic of at least 50% and enhance placemaking opportunities from year of opening.
Rationale
The term ‘strategic traffic’, highlighting the strategic nature of traffic along the A75 Trunk Road, has been added to provide further detail to the objective, ensuring that it is more specific to the relevant problem highlighted in the Strategic Review – Problems and Opportunities section of this report. Further to this, it marks a key distinction between strategic, long distance, and local traffic - which will likely continue to travel to and within the villages. It is anticipated that the proposed scheme will enable a significant reduction in strategic traffic that currently uses the existing A75 through the villages, although the level of traffic reduction will be dependent on more detailed design elements that will not be established until route options have been identified. Therefore, a target of at least 50% reduction has been set. The time-bound element of ‘from year of opening’ has been added to inform future evaluation, due to the likely immediate realisation of these outcomes.
Second Objective
Original Objective
Improve the resilience and reliability of the A75 for freight and other road users traveling to the ports at Cairnryan.
Refined Objective
Improve the resilience and reliability of the A75 trunk road, including for freight travelling to and from the ports at Cairnryan, by reducing time lost due to slower moving vehicles and incidents locally to increase the average speed and reduce the variation in average speed from year of opening.
Rationale
This objective has been refined to reflect the fact that resilience and reliability of the A75 are factors that affect predominantly, but not only, strategic traffic. This is due to the fact that the improvements to the A75 are likely to result in wider, regional and national, economic impacts through better connections between British and Northern Irish markets. Changes to wording were also introduced to ensure the consideration of traffic travelling in both directions. In terms of a target, it is anticipated that the proposed scheme can achieve a reduction of lost time both due to incidents and slower moving vehicles. This will be assessed by examining changes to the overall average speed of vehicles and the variation in average speed as a result of the proposed scheme compared to the current situation between the Allanton Roundabout and Drummore Roundabout at either end of the assessment corridor. These changes are expected to be realised immediately upon opening of the proposed scheme and timed element from year of opening has been included to reflect this.
Third Objective
Original Objective
Improve road safety on the A75 Gretna to Stranraer strategic corridor, through increased overtaking opportunities of slower moving vehicles.
Refined Objective
Reduce local accident rates and severity through reducing KSIs by 65% in line with Road Safety Framework targets, and contribute to improving safety on the A75 trunk road within five years of opening.
Rationale
The geographic reference of this objective has been refined, noting that the proposed scheme is specific to a short section of the A75 and not the whole route. Therefore, reductions in accident rates are likely to be localised to the area in question whilst more general improvements to safety, through platoon reductions or decreased driver frustration for example, are expected across the wider A75 corridor, albeit at a smaller scale. Thus, the objective has been refined to reflect the more localised nature of the safety improvements expected. The text on overtaking opportunities has been removed as it represented an option rather than relating to an objective that seeks to express an outcome. A target of reducing KSIs by 65% has been identified on the basis that this is in line with the national targets set out by the Road Safety Framework, over the selected time period. The time period over which this objective should be assessed has been determined to be five years as this is the period over which accident data is analysed and compared to national rates.
Fourth Objective
Original Objective
Increase land-use and transport opportunities to capitalise on the built and natural environment of Southwest Scotland for the benefits of those living in the region.
Refined Objectives
Contribute towards sustainable economic growth locally and for the region by creating potential for local land-use opportunities to increase planning applications over the longer term.
Increase sustainable travel choices and increase the local sustainable transport mode share by 50%, within a year of opening.
Rationale
The original draft objective has been separated into two distinct objectives in order to allow greater specificity regarding outcomes and targets for assessment.
The first refined objective includes an increased focus on changes to the local and regional economy. Land-use has been identified as a key opportunity to promote sustainable economic growth, separate to opportunities for transport improvements, and has therefore been included as its own objective. It is anticipated that this be measured by an increase in the number of planning applications within the area as an indicator of the positive contribution on local land use opportunities.
The second refined objective seeks to capitalise on the potential multimodal transport opportunities arising from the A75 Springholm and Crocketford Improvements. This objective provides focus on opportunities specific to transport, and the potential multi-modal benefits to sustainable transport that are likely to materialise following any scheme that is taken forward around Springholm and Crocketford. It is anticipated that an increase in sustainable transport mode share would be achieved by the proposed scheme through for example the anticipated severance reduction in the villages allowing for more local trips to be taken by sustainable modes. The target has therefore been set to achieve a 50% increase in the sustainable transport mode share for local journeys. Within one year from opening has been determined as the timed element for this objective to allow for the potential increase in sustainable transport mode share to be realised.
Objective Mapping to STPR2
This section outlines the process undertaken to map the refined proposed scheme objectives to the STPR2 regional sub-objectives developed for the South West Scotland region and hence to the STPR2 national-level objectives.
STPR2 forms a set of national objectives that closely align with the four priorities and 12 outcomes contained within the National Transport Strategy 2.
The National Transport Planning Objectives defined in STPR2, are:
- TPO-1: A sustainable strategic transport system that contributes significantly to the Scottish Government’s net zero emissions target.
- TPO-2: An inclusive strategic transport system that improves the affordability and accessibility of public transport.
- TPO-3: A cohesive strategic transport system that enhances communities as places, supporting health and wellbeing.
- TPO-4: An integrated strategic transport system that contributes towards sustainable inclusive growth in Scotland.
- TPO-5: A reliable and resilient strategic transport system that is safe and secure for users.
These national objectives are underpinned by a series of sub-objectives that were developed for each STPR2 region. For the South West of Scotland region, the regional sub-objectives were developed to align to the STPR2 national-level TPOs and to address the problems and opportunities identified in the SWSTS.
Each of the proposed scheme objectives was reviewed and its alignment with the regional sub-objectives and national STPR2 objectives assessed. The results of the mapping exercise with the regional sub-objectives can be seen in Table 7‑1. The results of the mapping exercise with the STPR2 national objectives can be seen in Table 7‑2.
The A75 Springholm and Crocketford Improvements Objectives for reference in these tables are:
- A75 First Objective: Reduce the environmental impacts and severance caused by strategic traffic using the A75 trunk road within Springholm and Crocketford, by achieving a reduction in traffic by at least 50%, and enhance placemaking opportunities from year of opening.
- A75 Second Objective :Improve the resilience and reliability of the A75 trunk road, including for freight travelling to and from the ports at Cairnryan, by reducing time lost due to slower moving vehicles and incidents locally to increase the average speed and reduce the variation in average speed from year of opening.
- A75 Third Objective: Reduce local accident rates and severity through reducing KSIs by 65% in line with Road Safety Framework targets, and contribute to improving safety on the A75 trunk road within five years of opening.
- A75 Fourth Objective: Contribute towards sustainable economic growth locally and for the region by creating potential for local land-use opportunities to increase planning applications over the longer term.
- A75 Fifth Objective: Increase sustainable travel choices and increase the local sustainable transport mode share by 50%, within a year of opening.
|
STPR2 National TPO |
STPR2 South West Scotland Regional Sub-Objectives |
A75 First Objective |
A75 Second Objective |
A75 Third Objective |
A75 Fourth Objective |
A75 Fifth Objective |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
1 |
Reduce the consumption of fossil fuels from the strategic transport system in South West Scotland and enable a shift to more sustainable modes of transport. |
Aligned |
Not Aligned |
Not Aligned |
Not Aligned |
Aligned |
|
1 |
Increase the mode share of active travel particularly for shorter everyday journeys in the main population centres and between settlements in the South West region |
Aligned |
Not Aligned |
Not Aligned |
Not Aligned |
Aligned |
|
1 |
Increase the mode share of public transport within the region and to key centres in other regions including Glasgow, Ayr, Edinburgh, Kilmarnock and Carlisle, by providing viable alternatives to single occupancy car use and improving journey quality across the network |
Aligned |
Partially Aligned |
Not Aligned |
Not Aligned |
Aligned |
|
1 |
Reduce emissions generated by the strategic transport system, with a focus on the strategic road network and congested areas in and around Dumfries |
Partially Aligned |
Partially Aligned |
Not Aligned |
Not Aligned |
Partially Aligned |
|
2 |
Increase public transport mode share in South West Scotland by improving integration opportunities between bus and rail and for active travel on public transport. |
Not Applicable |
Not Applicable |
Not Applicable |
Not Applicable |
Not Applicable |
|
2 |
Improve mobility and inclusion, recognising the specific needs of remote communities in South West Scotland and disadvantaged and vulnerable groups. |
Aligned |
Partially Aligned |
Not Aligned |
Not Aligned |
Aligned |
|
2 |
Reduce transport poverty by increasing travel choice, with particular focus on areas out with the main centres and in communities in South West Scotland with high levels of deprivation |
Partially Aligned |
Not Aligned |
Not Aligned |
Not Aligned |
Partially Aligned |
|
2 |
Reduce the reliance on the private car for access to key centres for healthcare, employment, education and cultural sites by improving public transport and active travel connectivity in the region. |
Partially Aligned |
Not Aligned |
Not Aligned |
Not Aligned |
Aligned |
|
3 |
Reduce the adverse impacts of the strategic transport system on communities by embedding the place principle in changes to the strategic transport system |
Aligned |
Partially Aligned |
Partially Aligned |
Partially Aligned |
Partially Aligned |
|
3 |
Increase the mode share of active travel, particularly for shorter everyday journeys I the main population centres and for visitors travelling within the South West region. |
Aligned |
Not Aligned |
Not Aligned |
Not Aligned |
Aligned |
|
3 |
Reduce demand for unsustainable travel arising from nationally significant growth areas, taking cognisance of NPF4 |
Not Aligned |
Not Aligned |
Not Aligned |
Partially Aligned |
Partially Aligned |
|
4 |
Increase sustainable access between labour, markets and key centres for employment, education and training across the region |
Not Aligned |
Not Aligned |
Not Aligned |
Partially Aligned |
Partially Aligned |
|
4 |
Increase competitiveness of key domestic and international markets by reducing transport costs, journey times and improving journey time reliability for commercial transport routes including links to Glasgow, Edinburgh, Kilmarnock, Carlisle, international airports, the M74 corridor and ports at Cairnryan |
Not Aligned |
Aligned |
Not Aligned |
Not Aligned |
Not Aligned |
|
4 |
Increase resilience of access to key domestic and international markets to encourage people to live work and study, visit and invest in South West Scotland. |
Not Aligned |
Aligned |
Aligned |
Aligned |
Not Aligned |
|
4 |
Increase mode share of freight by sustainable modes in South West Scotland |
Not Aligned |
Not Aligned |
Not Aligned |
Not Aligned |
Not Aligned |
|
5 |
Increase resilience of strategic transport system across South West Scotland to reduce the impacts of disruption, with a particular focus on access to ports at Cairnryan and M74 and the Glasgow South Western line |
Not Aligned |
Aligned |
Aligned |
Not Aligned |
Not Aligned |
|
5 |
Reduce accident rates and the severity of accidents on the trunk road network in Southwest Scotland |
Partially Aligned |
Not Aligned |
Aligned |
Not Aligned |
Partially Aligned |
|
5 |
Improve resilience in the region through climate change adaptation within the management and maintenance of trunk road and rail infrastructure |
Partially Aligned |
Aligned |
Not Aligned |
Not Aligned |
Not Aligned |
|
5 |
Improved perceived and actual security of the strategic transport system across South West Scotland |
Not Aligned |
Not Aligned |
Not Aligned |
Not Aligned |
Not Aligned |
The alignment of the refined objectives for the A75 Springholm and Crocketford Improvements against the STPR2 regional sub-objectives also informed the mapping of the refined objectives to the STPR2 national-level TPOs. The alignment of each refined objective to the STPR2 regional sub-objectives was consolidated to derive its overall alignment to the STPR2 national-level TPOs. Based on the number of sub-objectives the A75 refined objectives were aligned to, and the relative ‘strength’ of the alignment, the refined objectives were then consolidated to derive an overall aligned, partially aligned or not aligned rating against each STPR2 national-level TPO.
For example, as can be seen in Table 7‑1, the first A75 Springholm and Crocketford Improvements refined objective “ Reduce the environmental impacts and severance caused by strategic traffic using the A75 Trunk Road within Springholm and Crocketford, and enhance placemaking opportunities from the year of opening” shows full alignment to three, and partial alignment to one, of the four regional sub-objectives that relate to the national-level TPO-1. Therefore, this refined objective was considered to fully align with STPR2 TPO-1:” A sustainable strategic transport system that contributes significantly to the Scottish Government’s net zero emissions target” (Table 7‑2). In contrast this refined objective does not map to any of the regional sub-objectives that relate to the national-level TPO-4 and as a result does not align overall to the national-level TPO-4: “An integrated strategic transport system that contributes towards sustainable inclusive growth in Scotland” (Table 7‑2).
|
TPO |
Description |
A75 First Objective |
A75 Second Objective |
A75 Third Objective |
A75 Fourth Objective |
A75 Fifth Objective |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
TPO-1 |
A sustainable strategic transport system that contributes significantly to the Scottish Government’s net zero emissions target. |
Aligned |
Partially aligned |
Not Aligned |
Not Aligned |
Aligned |
|
TPO-2 |
An inclusive strategic transport system that improves the affordability and accessibility of public transport. |
Aligned |
Not Aligned |
Not Aligned |
Not Aligned |
Aligned |
|
TPO-3 |
A cohesive strategic transport system that enhances communities as places, supporting health and wellbeing. |
Aligned |
Not Aligned |
Not Aligned |
Partially aligned |
Aligned |
|
TPO-4 |
An integrated strategic transport system that contributes towards sustainable inclusive growth in Scotland. |
Not Aligned |
Aligned |
Aligned |
Aligned |
Not Aligned |
|
TPO-5 |
A reliable and resilient strategic transport system that is safe and secure for users. |
Partially aligned |
Aligned |
Aligned |
Not Aligned |
Not Aligned |
Conclusion
Following the refinement process, and the subsequent assessment of alignment with the STPR2 objectives, the refined A75 Springholm and Crocketford Improvements objectives are as follows:
- Reduce the environmental impacts and severance caused by strategic traffic using the A75 trunk road within Springholm and Crocketford, by achieving a reduction in traffic by at least 50%, and enhance placemaking opportunities from year of opening
- Improve the resilience and reliability of the A75 trunk road, including for freight travelling to and from the ports at Cairnryan, by reducing time lost due to slower moving vehicles and incidents locally to increase the average speed and reduce the variation in average speed from year of opening
- Reduce local accident rates and severity through reducing KSIs by 65% in line with Road Safety Framework targets, and contribute to improving safety on the A75 trunk road within five years of opening
- Contribute towards sustainable economic growth locally and for the region by creating potential for local land-use opportunities to increase planning applications over the longer term
- Increase sustainable travel choices and increase the local sustainable transport mode share by 50%, within a year of opening.
This exercise to refine and map the A75 Springholm and Crocketford Improvements objectives has demonstrated they are well aligned with the objectives from STPR2 and are relevant to the previously identified problems and opportunities for the region. However, the gap identification has highlighted data and information that needs to be updated to ensure the problems and opportunities previously identified are still relevant.