2016 Edition

Review 2016 Edition

Foreword p01 Going further p02 Connections around the world p06 Safer and smarter p08 Making tracks p10 Network growth p12

Laying the foundations - 2016 saw major developments across the transport network It is always pleasing to see the efforts of our Transport Scotland team, plus our partners and stakeholders recognised for their hard work to improve the transport network.

M8 M73 M74 Improvements project - Raith interchange. Picture courtesy of Iain Ferguson Front cover shows foundations work on the Aberdeen Western Peripheral Route B/T project, near Kingswell Chief Executive Foreword 01

Welcome to our 2016 Annual Review, highlighting the year’s activity on policies, projects and programmes to deliver £2.2 billion of transport investment, supporting Scotland’s economic growth through improving connections, reducing carbon emissions, creating safer, quicker and more sustainable and reliable journeys.

The start of the year marked the beginning of a number Elsewhere our Aviation, Maritime, Freight and Canals of important actions for our policy teams, with the refresh team were successful in securing new air routes to the of the National Transport Strategy refocusing our roles USA and beyond, and oversaw the award of a £900 million and responsibilities in line with Minister’s transport ferry services contract for the Clyde and Hebrides routes. priorities, and work has now begun on a fuller strategy review. On the roads, maintenance remained a priority, as well as repairing the truss link on the Forth Road Bridge. Another key policy achievement at the latter end of The saltirecard family of smart tickets continues to the year, saw us work with disability partners to launch expand with multi-operator smart card tickets available Scotland’s first Accessible Travel Framework. The on buses in Aberdeenshire and Tayside. Early in the year ‘Going Further’ framework identifies and looks to we updated our Strategic Road Safety Plan and it is remove barriers preventing people from travelling encouraging to see safety cameras continuing to have on our networks. a positive effect on safety, along with our Road Safety Scotland marketing campaigns. May saw Derek Mackay MSP promoted to Cabinet Secretary for Finance and the Constitution, and we It is always pleasing to see the efforts of our Transport welcomed a new Minister for Transport and the Islands, Scotland team, plus our partners and stakeholders, Humza Yousaf MSP, and a new Cabinet Secretary for recognised for their hard work to improve the transport Rural Economy and Connectivity, Fergus Ewing MSP. network. In summer we were awarded the Scottish Transport Award for Travel and Marketing Information, Our major projects continued a pace this year, the highlighting how working across directorates and with M8M73M74 Improvements reaching critical stages with partner organisations we can provide a better service for the demolition of the M74 Bothwell Bridge and a number the travelling public - further awards have acknowledged of altered junctions on the M8 now in use. Our north innovative road safety schemes, transport projects, east schemes continued with a £50m design contract reopening of the Forth Road Bridge and of course, awarded for the A96 Inverness to Aberdeen dualling our Queensferry Crossing made it into the Guinness scheme, and new junctions opened on the Aberdeen Book of Records! Western Peripheral Route/ Balmedie to Tipperty Project. I’d like to thank everyone involved in making Our Rail directorate has seen refurbishment of the 2016 another great year in transport. Queen Street tunnel, reopened early and on budget in August. December saw the opening of a new interchange station, Edinburgh Gateway, and refurbished trains in service, marking further significant milestones in the Scottish Government’s five year £5 billion programme of investment. Roy Brannen Chief Executive Transport Scotland 02 Transport Scotland - Annual Review 2016 GOING FURTHER Aspiring for better and greener transport solutions has been a key theme for this year, which has seen the launch of Scotland’s first Accessible Travel Framework, a refresh of our National Transport Strategy, 80 more charge points added to our comprehensive ChargePlace Scotland network and also our Road Safety teams recognised at the Prince Michael of Kent Awards. Transport Policy 03

Strategic Reviews Initiatives for lowering carbon Active Travel In January we published our refreshed 2016 saw enhancements to our electric An external evaluation of our Smarter National Transport Strategy. vehicle (EV) charge point network, more Choices, Smarter Places (SCSP) This updated the 2006 strategy, EVs added to public sector fleets and 2015-16 programme found it to be including roles and responsibilities support for consumers and businesses ‘successful at enabling smarter travel across transport modes, locations to switch to EVs. work to be undertaken in many areas and organisations. A fuller strategy where it would not otherwise have review was approved by the Scottish Our ChargePlace Scotland network, been funded’. Government in August, and planning sustained with local authority partners, and engagement work for this is now continues to expand with now 600+ This year 184 projects are being underway. This aims to be a forward charge points (1,200+ charging bays) delivered, including school and look for the next 20 years, identifying including over 150 rapid charge points, workplace travel campaigns, public overarching issues and aspirations for one of the most comprehensive awareness events, personal travel future transport requirements. networks in Europe. planning, signage and mapping initiatives, Dr Bike sessions and Our mid-term review of the Road Launched in 2014, Switched on Fleets promotion of car clubs. Paths for All Safety Framework to 2020 was is an initiative to get more EVs into administer our programme, with £5 completed and published in March public sector fleets. We’ve already million available to local authorities and 2016, with partners agreeing three provided over £3.5 million to councils partners, plus over £6.8 million being new key priority areas to 2020, namely and their partners, which will result offered in match funding in 2016/17. Speed, Age and Vulnerable Road Users. in around 350 new EVs entering the Scottish public sector fleet. Every In 2016 we also continued to commit Following the review and milestone council in Scotland now has at least record levels of funding for active achievements, we were delighted that one EV in their fleet. travel. This included the announcement the Road Safety Framework won a in August of the first winner of Prince Michael of Kent International We also provide support to EV buyers the Community Links plus design Road Safety award. including grants for the installation of competition – the South City Way home charge points and interest free in Glasgow, which aims to support Accessibility loans to help businesses and individuals Glasgow’s aim to have one of the Scotland’s first Accessible Travel buy EVs. most cohesive, high-quality urban Framework, ‘Going Further’, was cycle networks in the UK. launched in September 2016. We know Challenge Fund that accessible travel can enable people For our part in the European Regional Local authorities have also been to enjoy equal access to full citizenship, Development Funding (ERDF) targeting potential behaviour change, so the Framework is about identifying 2014-2020 programme for Low with activities such as promotion of and removing disabling barriers which Carbon Travel and Transport, we have infrastructure, like cycle ways, or with prevent people travelling or make their been awarded up to £13.9m of ERDF events like ‘town car free days’. journeys an unpleasant experience. funding until December 2018 support organisations with the aim of increasing Developed in close engagement with the number of journeys made by public disabled people from across Scotland, transport, active travel or low-energy one of its aims is to change the way vehicles. This has culminated in the we do things throughout transport, launch of our Challenge funds in to include disabled people to make October and December. improvements in transport accessibility. The Framework details how that Our focus is three key areas; engagement will continue over the • Active Travel Hubs to provide focal next ten years. points for cycling and walking routes • Low Carbon Transport to provide refuelling facilities for a range of alternative fuels and transport modes • A National Integrated Smart Ticketing Scheme.

‘In town without my car’ SCSP event, Aberdeen 04 Transport Scotland - Annual Review 2016

Road Safety Scotland (RSS) On the buses RSS continues to promote road This year saw us undertake Round 6 of safety as a lifelong learning process, the Scottish Green Bus Fund (SGBF) engaging with education professionals funding nearly £2 million towards 46 low and developing learning resources to emission buses on the network. Overall, facilitate road safety being addressed the SGBF has seen almost £15 million across all educational establishments. awarded, supporting the acquisition of An evaluation of the Early Years’ 315 new low emission buses, working Approach, Go Safe With Ziggy, was towards our goal to achieve lower very encouraging, and work began to carbon emissions by 2022. address the recommendations in the report. Following the 2015 devolution of school bus safety powers to the Scottish RSS took part in a number of external Parliament, we are continuing our events promoting road safety or road support for MSP Gillian Martin’s Bill for safety resources including Greenfleet/ seat belts on school buses to become Evolution, Ignition Festival of Motoring, a legal requirement for all dedicated Scottish Car Show, Scottish Motorcycle home-to-school transport in Scotland. Show, Scottish Learning Festival and The Bill is scheduled for introduction to Children in Scotland Conference. Parliament in Spring 2017. Our RSS Annual Seminar focused on the priority areas identified in the Driver training Framework Review and attracted almost Following an identified shortage of 150 delegates. personnel, we have provided funding of £150,000 over the next three years Campaign activity focused on country to support minibus driver training. roads, motorcycles, child in-car safety, The scheme aims to train around drink-driving and vulnerable road users. 60 people to drive community buses.

Concessionary Travel Following feedback from Enable Scotland’s Stop the Bus Campaign in 2015 a revised National Concessionary Travel Scheme application form was co-produced for people with learning disabilities. Piloted by Strathclyde Partnership for Transport earlier this year it was rolled out nationwide in the summer, accompanied by easy read guidance drafted by Enable Scotland. Transport Policy 05

Road Safety Scotland’s “Go Safe with Ziggy” resource promotes road safety to early years 06 Transport Scotland - Annual Review 2016 CONNECTIONS AROUND THE WORLD Building on our commitment to improve connectivity, maximise opportunities for tourism, business and leisure, whilst supporting sustainable economic growth, this year has seen highs of new charter routes around the world as well as the start of the new lifeline Clyde and Hebrides ferry services contract.

Brodick Harbour works underway, September Aviation, Maritime, Freight and Canals 07

Aviation Ferries Ports And Harbours In 2016, in conjunction with CalMac was awarded and commenced This year saw an important aim of the VisitScotland and Scottish Enterprise, services on the £900m Clyde and legislation of the Harbours (Scotland) we helped secure 12 new routes Hebrides Ferry services contract, Act 2015 confirmed by the Office of including improved connections which runs for eight years from National Statistics that no Scottish with Canada, Finland, the USA, the October 2016. Trust Ports will be classified as a public Netherlands and Germany. corporations, whilst work continues on A third hybrid vessel, MV Catriona, the maritime recommendations from We supported Highlands and Islands began service in September, and the Smith Commission. In November Airports to restore the Inverness and work to construct two new dual fuel we held a well-attended 2nd Scottish Heathrow route, plus develop a link for vessels (for the Clyde and Hebrides Cruise Summit looking at development Inverness to Amsterdam, providing a ferry service network) continues at potential of the sector. significant economic boost to the area. Ferguson’s shipyard on the Clyde, with The year was also significant with our delivery due in the second half of 2018. At the end of the year the expansion first Korean charter service from Seoul of Aberdeen Harbour was approved arriving in summer, plus the launch of Funding of £17.8m was provided by Ministers, allowing for growth a new Edinburgh-JFK service. toward the £30m redevelopment of opportunities to boost the local economy. Brodick harbour, with work beginning The Air Discount Scheme has continued on the project last winter, whilst the on the PSO routes to Campbeltown, £1.7m new breakwater and extension Barra and Tiree with providers promoting of slipways for the lifeline Kerrera ferry day trip packages to help extend the service were completed in August. season for summer visitors to these areas – with Barra Airport celebrating Scottish Canals We helped its 80th birthday this year. The Cabinet Secretary for Rural Economy and Climate Change gave secure twelve In October 2016 a Memorandum of the opening address at the World Understanding with London Heathrow Canals Conference. Hosted by new routes Airport was finalised, agreeing a partner organisation Scottish Canals platform to grow connectivity with the in Inverness in September, it was around the UK’s only World Hub airport and secure attended by over 300 delegates other benefits for Scotland. from around the world. world...including Freight Grants and Policy Canada, Finland, Over the year the £800,000 grant for Mode Shift Revenue Support (MSRS) the USA, has supported eight rail freight flows, removing around 100,000 HGV journeys Netherlands from our roads. and Germany.

August saw the inaugural Seoul – Glasgow MV Catriona in service, Tarbert flight’. Credit: Glasgow Airport 08 Transport Scotland - Annual Review 2016 SAFER AND SMARTER Maintenance of our trunk roads ensures the network continues to support Scotland’s economic growth. The 2016/17 period sees £280m invested to ensure road journeys are safe, efficient and reliable across Scotland.

Truss repairs underway on the Forth Road Bridge in August. Credit Amey Trunk Road and Bus Operations 09

In October 2016, the Scottish Concessionary Travel The A9 Safety Group, set up in 2012, Government announced an additional In 2015/16 bus operators were has delivered a range of measures that £15m across the country through the successfully reimbursed for over comprise the A9 interim Safety Plan. ‘Programme for Government’, to 145 million concessionary journeys The average speed camera system and address wear and tear on over fifty which were made by our more HGV speed limit pilot, which came into further locations. vulnerable citizens using the National force in 2014, continue to improve safety Bus Travel Concession Scheme. Over on the A9 with mid-2016 figures showing Bridges 2016, 1.3 million national entitlement December marked a year on from the cards were also renewed to incorporate • ‘Fatal and serious’ collisions reopening of the Forth Road Bridge after the latest smart card technology. between Dunblane and Inverness an unprecedented three-week closure overall down by almost 45%, with for repairs to fractured steelwork. Work Safety first fatal and serious casualties down on site began at the end of August on Following the 2015 Safety Camera by almost 63% a trial of the permanent truss end link Programme Review, the first new sites • No fatal collisions between replacement at the North East main for camera enforcement, to improve Dunblane and Perth, with the span – the location where the original safety and traffic flows, were introduced number of serious collisions down fracture occurred. late 2016. The A77 safety scheme was by over 60% and serious casualties upgraded to new digital cameras and down by over 47% We successfully undertook the £2.4m a safety camera motorbike deployed • ‘Fatal and serious’ collisions between replacement of two more bridges in for the first time. Cameras have also Perth and Inverness down by over the A830 Programme, at Ranochan and successfully been deployed on the A90 33%, with fatal and serious casualties Arieniskill. Part of eight bridges being Forth Replacement Crossing; the M8/ down by 59% upgraded along the route, Rannochan M73/M74 Improvement scheme, the opened to traffic in December and A9 between Kincraig and Dalraddy Gritter Tracker Arieniskill is set to open early 2017. and to support the Aberdeen Western This winter we launched a new Peripheral Route project. Camera online tracking service so road users Community engagement enforcement of variable speed limits can see when and where our gritters This year we have continued to meet will be introduced for the first time in have treated the network. This with communities across the country Scotland in 2017, as part of the Forth complements the information from to ensure we hear and understand road Replacement Crossing (FRC) Intelligent our Traffic Scotland service that user requirements. These include the Traffic Systems. provides up-to-date details of planned A7 Action Group, A83 Taskforce, A92 gritter activity and assurance of where Action Group as well as various other The Scottish Government’s Road Safety has been treated. community council meetings. Framework sets casualty reduction We will carry this forward for future targets to 2020. This was updated Network Premiere years and make sure this essential early 2016 following which we updated We were also pleased to support dialogue continues. our Strategic Road Safety Plan. Scotland’s filming industry, with a number This focuses more explicitly on delivering of our scenic routes showcased on a Safe Systems approach to road safety. the big screen. Amongst the filming This approach, used by the world’s permissions granted and facilitated leading nations in delivering road safety was the A1 in Steven Spielberg’s ‘BFG’, performance, includes 20 actions based the A82 in Amazon’s ‘Grand Tour’ and on its key principles. the Forth Bridge and A725 in Danny Boyle’s ‘T2 Trainspotting’.

A830 ‘Road to Isles’ Ranochan bridge Trainspotting 2 filming session restored using recycled stone on A725 Motherwell/Bellshill 10 Transport Scotland - Annual Review 2016

MAKING TRACKS Within the £5 billion allocation for the Scottish rail network (announced 2015) we are investing significantly in new and refurbished trains. All existing ScotRail fleets, to be retained beyond 2019, will undergo significant enhancements to bring them up to modern standards. Projects to provide better journeys and facilities have also come to fruition this year, with the opening of a new interchange station and key upgrades to the main Edinburgh – Glasgow line.

Class 385 new Hitachi electric train being assembled at Hitachi’s UK plant Rail 11

Joined up journeys The plan is already yielding results with Smart Ticketing Successfully opened in December on period on period improvement on the Our Smart and Integrated Ticketing time and within budget, the £41 million Public Performance Measure (moving programme, partnering with Local new state of the art Edinburgh Gateway annual average) being recorded for Authorities, RTPs and bus, rail and interchange station, incorporating train the last two periods (to December) ferry operators, saw the launch of the and trams, is part of our Edinburgh and ScotRail’s performance remaining saltirecard across a variety of bus Glasgow Improvement Programme. consistently above the GB average. and rail networks this year. Regional multi-operator bus smart cards were Situated on the outskirts of Edinburgh Cross Border rail connectivity between launched in Aberdeenshire and Tayside, between South Gyle and Dalmeny Scotland and the north of England was whilst ScotRail unveiled saltirecard stations, the interchange brings new given a boost after First Group took season tickets across the rail network. journey opportunities and better over operation of the TransPennine connections for people travelling into Express franchise in April, supporting High Speed Rail and around the capital, to the airport economic growth and prosperity. There In March 2016 a joint UK and Scottish and beyond. were a number of improvements for Government announcement welcomed Scotland under the new franchise the publication of HS2 Ltd’s report The closure of the Queen Street Station including, on the West coast, greater on “Broad options for upgraded and High Level tunnel during 2016 marked connectivity at Lockerbie and high speed railways to the North a further significant milestone in our Motherwell, and a direct link between of England and Scotland” and the £5 billion programme. The works, which Glasgow and Liverpool, and on the East Scottish Government’s “High Speed took place March to August, included coast, an extension of services from Rail Summary Report”. replacing of two kilometres of slab Newcastle up to Edinburgh. track in the tunnel, and preparatory The objective of the report was works for a new generation of electric One year on we also celebrated the to explore options to: trains next year. Borders Railway first birthday, it’s first • improve journey times from million passengers on a combined 35 Edinburgh and Glasgow to cities The ScotRail Alliance worked with million miles and 21,000 train services. further south, including options partners to develop a coordinated that could reduce journey times timetable and communications plan, Delivering the Goods to London to 3 hours or under ensuring that services were maintained The rail freight sector is vital to the • provide additional passenger and passenger disruption was kept competitiveness of the Scottish and freight capacity where it is to a minimum. economy, providing a safer, greener projected that future demand and more efficient way of transporting will not otherwise be met. Acknowledging that ScotRail’s Recent products and materials. Following an performance had fallen below the extensive consultation process we standards required by the franchise published ‘Delivering the Goods – contract, the ScotRail Alliance initiated Scotland’s Rail Freight Strategy’ in and implemented a performance March 2016. The Strategy sets out improvement plan. how we will work in partnership with the rail freight industry and others to realise the vision through the four core levers of innovation, facilitation, The rail freight promotion and investment. sector is vital to the competitiveness of the Scottish economy.

Edinburgh Gateway Interchange Multi-operator Smart ticketing launch in Aberdeen 12 Transport Scotland - Annual Review 2016 NETWORK GROWTH Our major projects have had an eventful year, from the award of a £50m design contract for the A96 dualling, gaining accreditation status for our Academy9 qualification, and our Queensferry Crossing becoming world record breaker.

A 40m wide section is lifted into place on the Queensferry Crossing Major Transport Infrastructure Projects 13

Driving forward in the north east Strategic links Go Forth and break records! Improving connectivity, journey times, Construction is now well underway In October 2016, the Queensferry reliability and road safety are the key on the £3 billion A9 Dualling Crossing’s centre tower deck made benefits for numerous schemes in Programme. The first section to the Guinness Book of World Records Scotland’s north east this year. be dualled (between Kincraig and as the largest structure of its type Dalraddy) is scheduled for completion in the world. In June a design contract worth up to in Summer 2017. £50 million was awarded to carry out The bridge’s centre tower deck was route assessments to dual 46km of the Of the remaining ten sections under completed and became the largest western section on the A96 Inverness development, seven now have defined free standing balanced cantilever to Aberdeen Dualling scheme, joining preferred routes and junction locations in the world at 644 metres. The two of Scotland’s north east economic - meaning over 60 percent of the cantilever itself didn’t last long as it hubs route between Hardmuir and dualled A9 has now taken shape. was subsequently connected to the Fochabers. Draft orders for dualling the flanking towers - but was inspected and 31km of the A96 between Inverness Our Academy9 programme has officially ratified by Guinness as world- and Nairn, including a Nairn Bypass, continue to grow with over 2000 school record breaking in its temporary state. were published in November. pupils attending. Our A9 Dualling Scottish Credit and Qualifications During October and November 2016, In September 2016 a design contract Framework (SCQF) module also the centre tower deck was connected was awarded for the next phases of achieved credit rating by Inverness to the south and north towers - so, design of a new grade-separated College, University Highlands & Islands. by the end of 2016, the deck of the Laurencekirk junction on the A90/ Queensferry Crossing was over 95% A937 as part of a package of additional Applications for the build of the 3.8km complete - stretching from Fife right investment alongside the Aberdeen A737 Dalry Bypass in North Ayrshire across the Forth to the end of the City-Region Deal. were invited in March, with work south tower, with only the southern expected to begin in 2017. Completion connection remaining. Progress continues on the Aberdeen of the Dalry Bypass will encourage Western Peripheral Route/Balmedie improved economic and employment Across the country, significant to Tipperty Project (AWPR/B-T) opportunities through better journey excitement is already building in with the Craibstone Roundabout and time reliability for motorists, businesses anticipation of the opening of this Dyce Drive junctions open to traffic, and tourists along the length of the A737. iconic structure next year. providing better access to Aberdeen International Airport. The £500m M8 M73 M74 Motorway Improvements Project is entering The scheme includes construction its final phase and is scheduled for of the 75 principal bridges and opening in Spring 2017. underpasses is on-going, along with the main carriageway. When open Many of the new roads are already Over 2000 to traffic this much needed new open to traffic with construction of infrastructure will cut journey times the final sections well underway for pupils have across Aberdeen by up to half at a Spring opening. peak times. attended our When complete, the project will In October the A90/A96 Haudagain shave up to 18 minutes off journeys Academy9 Improvement scheme, which involves at peak times for vehicles using the the construction of a new dual busiest sections of the M8 each day programme. carriageway to relieve congestion and reduce journeys through Raith and improve journey time reliability Junction by 15 minutes. between the A90 and A96, was given Scottish Ministers approval to complete the statutory process. Improvements to Haudagain are scheduled following completion of the Aberdeen Western Peripheral Route (AWPR). Transport Scotland Buchanan House, 58 Port Dundas Road, Glasgow, G4 0HF 0141 272 7100 [email protected]

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