NORTH EAST SCOTLAND TRANSPORT PARTNERSHIP – 18 June 2014

8 Information Bulletin

 Purpose of Report

The purpose of this report is to provide information and updates for the Board on a number of matters not requiring decision.

 Access to Laurencekirk Study

Data collection surveys were undertaken in March 2014, including classified junction turning counts, queue lengths, link counts, junction delay, journey times and a parking study. The results have been assessed and further surveys undertaken at a small number of locations to verify initial findings. The traffic modelling requirements have been agreed and a Paramics microsimulation model of the study area is being built. The strategic Aberdeen Sub Area Model (ASAM) will provide information for the future year model development and ASAM is currently being refined to include more zones in the area and development allocations within north Angus. The Stag Pre-Appraisal report is being drafted and option assessment is underway. The next progress meeting will be held on 20 June 2014.

 Energetica corridor study

In relation to the Energetica corridor study, Nestrans met with Transport Scotland in October 2013 to raise the topic of such a study with them. We have since met with the two Councils to discuss the scope of the project and are currently developing a study brief in partnership with Transport Scotland, Aberdeen City and Councils. The study will identify and examine the options for strategic transport connections from Fraserburgh and to Aberdeen along the Energetica corridor and will examine all modes of transport including options to reinstate the railway line. The study will form the pre-appraisal and part 1 appraisal stages of the STAG process and will include development and consideration of the objectives for the corridor and consideration of options to take forward to a more detailed appraisal.

A draft brief has been submitted to Transport Scotland for their comments and the Nestrans Board has approved a contribution for this study this financial year. We are also seeking partner contributions.

 Scottish Transport Awards

A submission by Nestrans, in partnership with First, has been shortlisted for the Scottish Transport Awards. The submission, nominated First’s Platinum service 19 in the category ‘Best Bus Service’. The Platinum service was launched in November 2013 and included the complete refurbishment and re-branding of 12 buses on the route. The Scottish Transport Awards ceremony will be held in Glasgow on 19th June 2014 and Kirsty Chalmers will attend.

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 Getabout

Information from the Getabout partnership  The Getabout Sustainable Travel roadshow was at the 2 day Balmoral festival of running with over 300 people visiting over the 2 days  The Events Kit was used to help launch the multi operator ‘Grasshopper’ Ticket in Inverurie (see photo)  Discussions have taken place with the Aberdeen Health Village to support their travel plan  The events kit was used in the launch of the ‘missing link’ A90 Cycle path in Peterhead by Aberdeenshire’s Provost, Councillor Jill Webster (see photo)  The Aden Bike Challenge from Peterhead to Aden Country Park was cancelled with only a few weeks to go. The main problem was lack of staff to marshal it.  Preparation for the 21st of September In Town Without My Car festival in Schoolhill, Aberdeen is progressing with more companies and organisations confirmed.  Getabout has run two business foyer events at TAQA in Westhill (partnered by Aberdeenshire Council) and Wood Group (partnered by Aberdeen City Council)  A new radio advert has been produced to encourage people to leave their car at home and walk or cycle to their destinations, where possible. This will continue to run on Original 106 FM over the summer months.  Eddie Anderson, Nestrans Deputy Chair has very kindly offered the use of a curtainsided trailer for Getabout branding. We are planning to brand this with a joint message of the Getabout brand and promoting Liftshare. This is currently with Aberdeenshire Council’s design team who will create suitable visuals for the space.  Bike week starts early on the 13th of June timetable is :-

Bike Week 2014 Grampian Transport Museum- Friday 13th June School Alford 09:00 –15:30 Grampian Transport Museum- Sat 14th June School Alford 09:00 –15:30 Hazelhead Park, Aberdeen Sun 15th June Public Aberdeen Highland Games 09:00 – 16:00 Mon 16th June School Laurencekirk Primary School BD 08:30 – 15:00 Tues 17th June Public Woodhill House BD 09:00 – 15:00 Wed 18th June School Aboyne Primary School BD 08:30 – 15:00 Thur 19th June School St Josephs School BD 09:00 – 15:00 Fri 20th June School Dyce School BD 09:00 – 15:00 Sat 21st June Public Huntly Bike Week BD 09:00 – 15:00 Sun 22nd June Public Seaton Park BD 09:00 – 15:00

Sat 28th June Public Portsoy Boat Festival 10:00 – 15:00 Sun 29th June Public Portsoy Boat Festival 10:00 – 15:00 BD = Bike Doctor Service

Nestrans Board members are welcome at any of the above events.

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Grasshopper Ticket Launch A90 cycle path launch

 Nestrans Press Releases

Since the last meeting of the Board, Nestrans has issued the following press releases (please click on the heading to access details from the Nestrans website).

31 March 2014 £170m to improve Aberdeen to Inverness rail

22 April 2014 Information service improves transport options for north-east patients

24 April 2014 £2 million boost for cycling and walking projects in north-east of Scotland

16 May 2014 19km of shared use cycleways for Peterhead completed

28 May 2014 Ellon transportation projects begin

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 Nestrans/Getabout Communications Update

Media

Since the last report there have been eleven media enquiries:

 Further details required on Kintore Station progress  Further details required on the new P&R on A90 South  Further details required on the extension of the Ellon P&R site  Further details required on comments submitted for the new Countesswells development  Comment required on the Haudagain roundabout following the plans being made public  Comment required from Aberdeenshire Council papers on transport provision  Further details required on the mini interchange hubs on A947  Further details required on the Haudagain Public exhibitions  Clarification on Sustrans funding for cycle and pathways projects  Why isn’t the Grasshopper website working?  Further details required on the Strategic Transport Fund, does this apply to Laurencekirk?

Nestrans’ press mentions since the end of March (links included where possible, and copies of articles are available upon request). Date Headline Paper http://www.theconstructionindex.co.uk/news/view/aberdeen- The Construction

31.3.14 development-plans-approved Index Business Scotland Apr-14 Can the train ease the strain in the North-east? Magazine 1.4.14 Bus chiefs blame jams for timetable tweaks Evening Express 07.04.14 City could get new station Evening Express 15.04.14 Business looks to the road ahead Press and Journal 19.04.14 Panel to discuss methods of tackling north-east gridlock Press and Journal Kincardineshire

21.04.14 Funding boost to get Portlethen walking Observer 22.04.14 MSPs demand flyover on A90 Press and Journal

Date Headline Paper 24.04.14 Safety measures at junction have cut accidents - report Press and Journal 25.04.14 £2m boost for north-east cycling and walking routes Press and Journal Sustrans cash set to improve Deeside Way 30.04.14 Donside Piper

09.05.14 More than 20000 drivers caught speeding at A90 blackspot The Courier AGCC Business May-14 Building a fast track to the future Bulletin 08.05.14 Special fund will be used for A90 upgrade Press and Journal 08.05.14 Bucksburn pinpointed as location for rail station Press and Journal 21.05.14 North-east town's cycle ways unveiled Press and Journal 28.05.14 Peterhead's long-awaited cycleway finally unveiled Observer 30.05.14 Transport chiefs call for car-free zone at 3,000 home scheme Evening Express 02.06.14 Work on park and ride could start in next year Evening Express

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Twitter @ACSEF_Nestrans during 24th March until 2nd June the account had:

 Number of followers 185  Number of tweets 252  Number of retweets 28  Number of mentions 10  Number of favourites 10  Following 147  Bitly click throughs 214 from 18 links

(Bitly is a URL shortening and bookmarking service and used within our tweets)

The most popular links were to:  Launch of the Grasshopper ticket initiative for the City and Shire

 Link to news story on £2 million boost for cycling and walking projects in north-east of Scotland

The most popular tweet was:  @AberdeenCC & @Aberdeenshire #cycling & #walking projects receive a £2million funding boost from @SustransScot bit.ly/1fu7eBY, it received 959 views, 11 link visits and 7 retweets

*Please note these stats cover ACSEF and Nestrans related tweets

North East Business Week (NEBW) Nestrans held an event at the Marcliffe Hotel on Friday 2nd June as part of North East Business Week. The theme was ‘A Vision for North East Transport’. The event was attended by over 40 people with presentations from Cllr Peter Argyle, Rab Dickson and Ramsay Milne.

 Recommendation

It is recommended that the Board note the contents of this report.

RGM/RD/JA/DK/LC 4 June 2014

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