Public Document Pack
To: Councillor Peter Argyle, Chair; Dr Margaret Bochel and Councillor Sandra Macdonald, Vice Chairs; Mr Eddie Anderson, Councillor David Aitchison, Councillor Philip Bell, Councillor John Cox, Mr Gerry Donald, Mr George Mair, Mr Ian Ross, Councillor Alex Nicoll, Stephen Archer, Councillor Colin Pike and Councillor Jennifer Stewart.
Aberdeen City Council Substitute Members:- Councillors Ross Grant, Brett Hunt, Michael Hutchison and Ian Yuill.
Aberdeenshire Council Substitute Members:- Councillors George Carr, Martin Ford, Ian Mollison and Gillian Owen
Please note that a substitute member may only participate in the meeting when a substantive member is absent.
Should you require further information regarding the Agenda, please contact Derick Murray 01224 346680 NORTH EAST OF SCOTLAND TRANSPORT PARTNERSHIP
Meeting of Board (Committee Room 2 Woodhill House, Aberdeen)
WEDNESDAY, 20 JUNE 2018 at 2.00 pm.
AGENDA
1 Minute of Board Meeting, 18 April 2018 (Pages 3 - 10)
2 Appointment of Professional Adviser (Verbal Report)
3 Strategy
3a Director's Report (Pages 11 - 28)
3b Annual Performance Indicators (Pages 29 - 34)
3c Strategic Transport Appraisal – Interim Objectives (Pages 35 - 64)
3d Annual Monitoring Report (Pages 65 - 128)
3e General Data Protection Regulations (Pages 129 - 140)
4 Projects - Not Taken Up 5 Action Plans
5a HTAP Annual Report (Pages 141 - 154)
6 General
6a Progress Report (Pages 155 - 198)
6b Consultations (Pages 199 - 206)
6c Other Publications (Pages 207 - 212)
7 Budget Matters
7a 2018/19 Budget Matters (Pages 213 - 216)
7b Annual Audit Plan 2017-2018 (Pages 217 - 230)
7c Unaudited Annual Accounts for 2017/18 (Pages 231 - 282)
8 Information Bulletin (Pages 283 - 294)
9 Conferences and Presentations (Pages 295 - 296)
10 Pending Business and Reports for Future Meetings (Pages 297 - 298) Agenda Item 1 Minute of Meeting of the North East Scotland Transport Partnership Board
Aberdeen, Wednesday 18 April 2018
Present: Councillor Peter Argyle (Chairperson); Dr Margaret Bochel (Vice Chairperson, for items 7 to 18), Councillor Sandra Macdonald (Vice Chairperson); and Councillors David Aitchison, Gillian Owen (as substitute for Councillor John Cox) and Colin Pike; and Eddie Anderson, Gerry Donald and Ian Ross.
In attendance: Lucy Johnson, Ruth Taylor and Ewan Wallace (Aberdeenshire Council), Gale Beattie, Iain Robertson and Robert Templeton (Aberdeen City Council), Derick Murray, Rab Dickson and Jenny Anderson (Nestrans), Andrew Stewart (Health and Transport Action Plan), Derek Glasgow and Scott Prentice (Abellio Scotrail) and Stacey McDonald and Sarah Thomson (Network Rail).
Apologies: Councillors Bell, Cox, Nicoll and Jennifer Stewart; and George Mair.
WELCOME FROM THE CHAIR
1. The Chair opened the meeting and welcomed Ian Ross to his first meeting and requested that today’s agenda be re-ordered to consider items 7a-7d following approval of the previous minute and to hear the scheduled presentation from Abellio thereafter.
The Board resolved:- (i) to welcome Ian Ross onto the Board; and (ii) to approve the Chair’s proposals to reorder today’s agenda.
MINUTE OF BOARD MEETING, 14 FEBRUARY 2018
2. The Board had before it the minute of its previous meeting of 14 February, 2018 for approval.
The Board resolved:- to approve the minute as a correct record.
2017-18 BUDGET MATTERS
3. The Board had before it a report which provided an update on the Partnership’s 2017-18 monitoring and forecast outturn position and asked the Board to consider any budget or monitoring issue that had arisen.
The report recommended:- That the Board – (a) Note the monitoring position and forecast presented in Appendix 1; (b) Approve the virements presented in Appendix 2; (c) Approve the delay in drawdown in Appendix 3; and
Page 3 (d) Note the projects for which Nestrans will receive funding from Sustrans for delivery by May 2018.
Ruth Taylor (Finance, Aberdeenshire Council) provided an overview of the financial position and asked members to approve the virements in Appendix 2 and the delay in drawdown in Appendix 3 which would make these monies available during the next financial year.
The Board resolved:- to approve the recommendations.
2018-19 BUDGET PROPOSALS
4. The Board had before it a report which asked it to note the funding allocations to Nestrans and agree the 2018-19 Strategic Investment Programme budget proposals, subject to any emerging details of funding through the City Region Deal.
The report recommended:- That the Board – (a) Note the funding awards to Nestrans that had been confirmed for 2018-19; (b) Approve the revisions to the 2018-19 Co-ordination and project development budget as detailed in Appendix 1; (c) Approve the 2018-19 Strategic Investment Programme budget proposals as detailed in Appendix 2, subject to any appropriate adjustments being made following the Board’s consideration; (d) Note the reserve list of projects detailed in Appendix 3; and (e) Note the potential for up to £193,500 for cycle schemes from Sustrans in 2018-19 and the indicative usage proposals for agreement with Sustrans.
Ruth Taylor confirmed that Nestrans’ budget had been confirmed by its partners and highlighted the downward revision made to the Bridge of Dee Study. The Director confirmed that the reduction in funding was to align with completion of the AWPR and would likely delay the study but not stop it.
The Board resolved:- to approve the recommendations.
REVISED FINANCIAL REGULATIONS
5. The Board had before it a report which sought approval of the Partnership’s revised Financial Regulations.
The report recommended:- That the Board approve the Partnership’s revised Financial Regulations as set out in the report and Appendix 1.
Ruth Taylor advised that the regulations underpinned Nestrans’ financial framework and were periodically reviewed. She noted that minor amendments had been made to procurement regulations to reflect new legislative requirements and best practice and added that external audit would review the regulations to ensure they remained robust and were being applied appropriately.
Page 4 The Board resolved:- to approve the recommendations.
TREASURY MANAGEMENT STATEGY STATEMENT 2018-19
6. The Board had before it a report which sought agreement of the proposed Treasury Management Strategy Statement for 2018-19.
The report recommended:- that the Board approve the revised Treasury Management Strategy as set out in Appendices A and B of the report.
Ruth Taylor advised that Nestrans had adopted a risk appetite that was largely risk averse so investment returns were relatively low although these were slightly above than the Bank of England baseline rate of 0.5%.
The Board resolved:- to approve the recommendations.
PRESENTATION - SCOTT PRENTICE, HEAD OF BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT, ABELLIO SCOTRAIL AND DEREK GLASGOW, ABELLIO SCOTRAIL
7. The Board received a presentation from Scott Prentice and Derek Glasgow (Abellio Scotrail) on planned rail improvements in the North East of Scotland. An overview was provided of work at Forres Station and future work that would take place over consecutive summers to improve the Inverurie-Aberdeen route. Mr Prentice and Mr Glasgow also advised members of (1) the proposed peak timetable; (2) contingency plans, including replacement bus services; and (3) Abellio Scotrail’s communication plan to provide up to date information to rail users, and to promote bus, rather than car use while work was ongoing on the Dyce-Aberdeen route, which will result in a 14-week blockade from May supported by a replacement bus service. Similar plans will be necessary between Inverurie-Dyce in summer 2019.
The Board resolved:- to thank Mr Prentice and Mr Glasgow for their informative presentation.
DIRECTOR'S REPORT
8. The Board had before it a report by the Director of Nestrans which provided an update on liaison activity with other RTPs, with the Scottish Government and other organisations.
The report recommended:- that the Board note the progress on liaison arrangements with other RTPs, the Scottish Government and others and arrangements for future meetings.
The Director highlighted the following areas for members’ attention:-
(1) With regards to the A90 Laurencekirk Partnership, he anticipated that a preferred option would be made available in the summer of 2018
Page 5 (2) With regards to the Aberdeen-Central Belt rail enhancement project, he was pleased that Nestrans’ representations to the Minister for Transport and the Islands about pace and connectivity had been taken into account;
(3) With regards to the East Coast Mainline, he advised that the proposed development of a high speed route from Leeds to Newcastle did not benefit the North East of Scotland and that Nestrans intended to review its position on this group next year;
(4) With regards to the Councillors Code of Conduct, he explained that Chairs of regional transport authorities had received a letter from the Local Government Division at the Scottish Government which noted that the Government would consider making a change to the code of conduct to allow councillors to fully participate at Nestrans and Council meetings when considering transport issues without having to declare and leave a meeting due to a conflict of interest;
(5) With regards to Aberdeen International Airport, he advised that overall passenger numbers had increased but helicopter use had reduced. He noted that there was mixed news on flight routes as the airport had gained a number of holiday destinations but lost business locations such as Frankfurt and Reykjavik which was disappointing;
(6) With regards to Kintore Station, he highlighted that the exhibition on 14 March 2018 had been well received by attendees;
(7) With regards to Transport Governance, he explained that the Scottish Government had commissioned an external consultant to conduct a root and branch review which was due to be published within the next three months. He informed the Board that he was satisfied that the review process had been fairly conducted; and
(8) With regards to the Strategic Transport Assessment Client Group, he advised that a meeting had been held on 26 March 2018 to discuss the findings of various workshops, events and interviews with a view to developing themes and defining outcomes. He added that a provisional date of 1 June 2018 had been set for the next workshop before a report was presented to the Nestrans Board, both Councils and the City Region Deal Joint Committee.
The Board resolved:- to note the report.
HEALTH AND TRANSPORT ACTION PLAN: UPDATE
9. The Board had before it a report which advised the Board on progress on the Health and Transport Action Plan.
The report recommended:- That the Board note the report on the progress made in relation to delivering the Health and Transport Action Plan.
Andrew Stewart (Health and Transport Action Plan) provided an update on progress against the Plan’s two themes of (1) Access to health and social care; and (2) Transport and Public health. He also provided an overview of the Travel to Health and Social Care Information Centre (THInC) project and work towards addressing the recommendations of the audit review of health and social care transport. Thereafter Gerry Donald
Page 6 highlighted the HTAP networking event on 1 May 2018 and extended an open invitation to Board members.
The Committee resolved:- (i) to instruct Andrew Stewart to circulate a save the date appointment to members and stakeholders for the Grampian Volunteer Transport Awards on 9 November 2018; and (ii) otherwise note the report.
FREIGHT ACTION PLAN UPDATE
10. The Board had before it a report which provided an update on the progress of the Civitas Portis Freight projects and presented the findings of the recent baseline studies.
The report recommended:- That the Board – (a) Note the progress made on Civitas Portis Work Package 4 to date; and (b) Note the findings of the Baseline Reports and Survey Report.
Rab Dickson (Nestrans) updated the Board on the Civitas Portis project and noted that relevant documentation had been uploaded to the Partnership’s website. He then provided an overview of Freight Gateway Interconnectivity that aimed to take account of the opening of the AWPR and Aberdeen City Council’s road hierarchy review. Mr Dickson also highlighted a recent survey of hauliers which found that North East companies had a good understanding of freight efficiency and was encouraged that 97% of freight vehicles had Euro 5 or Euro 6 engines which were very efficient in terms of emissions.
The Board resolved:- to note the report.
BUS ACTION PLAN: PASSENGER SATISFACTION
11. The Board had before it a report which provided an update on the recently published Transport Focus Bus Passenger Satisfaction Survey and presented the key findings from the report. The report also made reference to the recent publication of a report by Citizens Advice Scotland on bus travel.
The report recommended:- That the Board note the findings of the Bus Passenger Satisfaction Survey and Creating Better Journeys reports.
Rab Dickson advised that a recent Transport Focus survey found that 86% of Aberdeen City and 87% of Aberdeenshire passengers were satisfied with bus services but noted that although overall satisfaction was high, there were lower levels of satisfaction in terms of value for money and weekday off –peak journeys. Mr Dickson also referred to a survey of passenger satisfaction conducted by Citizen Advice Scotland which found that 64% of passengers surveyed were dissatisfied with their bus service. He explained that the use of different methodologies may account for the large variances between the
Page 7 level of satisfaction recorded in the surveys by Transport Focus and Citizen Advice Scotland.
The Board resolved:- (i) to ask the Director to raise the issue of value for money with bus companies through the Bus Alliance Group; and (ii) otherwise note the report.
RAIL MATTERS UPDATE
12. The Board had before it a report which provided an update of progress in regard to a number of matters regarding railways in the North East of Scotland.
The report recommended:- That the Board – (a) Note the report on the progress made in relation to delivering the new station at Kintore; (b) Note the publication of Transport Scotland’s Rail enhancement and Capital Investment Strategy; and (c) Note the announcement of a Local Rail Development Fund and instruct officers to develop application(s) for submission to the fund, after consultation with the Chair and Vice Chairs.
Rab Dickson provided an update on progress made towards the delivery of the proposed new railway station at Kintore and highlighted the success of the pre- application planning exhibition held on 14 March 2018. He noted that planning applications had been submitted to Aberdeenshire Council and were currently being validated before going live. Mr Dickson also provided an overview of the Rail Enhancement and Capital Investment Strategy published by Transport Scotland, and the Local Rail Development Fund which had been established by Transport Scotland to develop community led options to improve local rail connections with a closing date for applications of 18 May 2018.
The Board resolved:- to approve the recommendations.
PROGRESS REPORT
13. The Board had before it a progress report which outlined the status of various activities in support of the Regional Transport Strategy.
The Board resolved:- to note the content of the progress report.
PUBLICATIONS AND CONSULTATIONS
14. The Board had before it a report which provided information on the recent publications and consultation papers of interest and sought to agree a response where appropriate.
The report recommended:-
Page 8 That the Board – (a) Consider the draft response to the consultation on Section 19 and Section 22 Permits and approve the attached Appendix A as Nestrans’ response; and (b) Note the consultation on Tackling Social Isolation.
The Board resolved:- (i) to approve Appendices A and B as Nestrans’ response to the consultations; and (ii) to note the consultation on Tackling Social Isolation.
ROAD CASUALTY REDUCTION: SAFETY CAMERAS
15. The Board had before it a report which sought support for a letter to be written to the Minister for Transport and the Islands requesting confirmation of the high priority for Casualty Reduction and applies flexibility in the deployment of safety cameras to ensure their effectiveness in helping to reduce casualties in the North East.
The report recommended:- That the Board – (a) Write to the Minister for Transport and the Islands outlining concerns regarding the deployment of safety cameras in the North East and the lack of flexibility to respond to changing circumstances; (b) Seek the Minister’s assurance that Casualty Reduction will be a high priority within the National Transport Strategy Review, Transport Bill and related documents; (c) Seek the Minister’s support for flexibility in the deployment of cameras within the North East, either as a pilot or reflecting the special circumstances of the area; and (d) Continue the dialogue through the NESRCRS to address the issues in the report.
Ewan Wallace (Transportation, Aberdeenshire Council) advised that the Scottish Safety Camera Programme was responsible for determining the position of mobile, fixed and average safety cameras in Scotland and explained that the location of sites was based on Transport Scotland criteria that had been published 15 years ago, and as a result the number of new sites identified had been relatively low. He expressed his view that there was scope for adoption of a more flexible and contemporaneous approach. Thereafter Mr Wallace requested Board approval to write to the Minister for Transport and Islands to highlight concerns with the existing approach and recommend that the North East region pilot a new approach in the deployment of safety cameras.
The Board resolved:- (i) to seek further information on cyclist and pedestrian behaviour in terms of road casualty reduction; and (ii) otherwise approve the recommendations.
INFORMATION BULLETIN
16. The Board had before it a report which provided information and updates on a number of matters not requiring a decision.
The report recommended:- that the Board note the content of the report.
Page 9 Rab Dickson summarised the findings of a report by Sustrans which explored issues around gender and active travel and provided an overview of the Scottish Government’s Climate Change Plan and Scotrail’s Cycling Fund. He also updated the Board on progress made by the Getabout Partnership and its working group.
The Board recommended:- To note the content of the report.
CONFERENCES AND PRESENTATIONS
17. The Board had before it a list of recent and forthcoming conferences of interest to Nestrans.
The Board resolved:- to note the content of the list.
PENDING BUSINESS AND REPORTS FOR FUTURE MEETINGS
18. The Board had before it a report which (1) advised of progress on pending business requested by the Board and major reports scheduled for forthcoming Board meetings; and (2) provided the opportunity for the Board to add to or amend this scheduling.
The report recommended:- that the Board note the report on pending business and agree the provisional scheduling of major reports to future Board meetings.
The Board resolved:- to approve the recommendation. COUNCILLOR PETER ARGYLE, Chairperson.
Page 10 Agenda Item 3a
NORTH EAST SCOTLAND TRANSPORT PARTNERSHIP – 20 June 2018
Strategy - 3a Director’s report on liaison between RTPs, and with the Scottish Government and Others
Purpose of Report
The purpose of this report is to update the Board on liaison with other RTPs, with the Scottish Government and other organisations.
Background
This report details meetings with other RTPs across Scotland, Transport Scotland and other national transport bodies highlighting issues of interest across Scotland. It also notes the minutes from Steering Group meetings covering both the Health and Transport Action Plan (HTAP) and the Local Authority Bus Operators Forum (LABOF).
Recent Developments
The last full Board meeting was held on 18 April 2018, since which the following updates are available from meetings:
❖ Rail Strategy workshop with TS, Aberdeen, 23 April 2018
Transport Scotland held this workshop for stakeholders in the north east to discuss:
• Their new pipeline approach to developing rail projects (moving away from a strict adherence to the previously used Control Period approach); • Their proposals for introducing the Local Rail Development Fund (a Nestrans application for Insch station is discussed in greater detail in item 8 on the agenda).
❖ NTS Roles and Responsibilities, Glasgow, 24 April 2018
This meeting continued the work of the group, looking at various options for future transport governance. The working from this workshop style meeting will feed into the final consultants report on options.
❖ AGCC Transport Network, Aberdeen, 26 April 2018
This network involving operators across the range of transport modes (including ports, airports, bus, rail and road) is set up to exchange information on projects and project development across the sector.
❖ Health & Transport Action Plan Networking Event, Aberdeen, 1 May 2018
A networking event in support of the Health & Transport Action Plan was held in Aberdeen on 1st May. A note of the event and list of actions is attached as Appendix A to this report.
3a Directors report.docx Page 11 1 ❖ RTP Chairs meeting with Planning & Transport Ministers, Edinburgh, 3 May 2018
This meeting was attended by Dr Maggie Bochel and Derick Murray. It followed on from the Chairs earlier meeting on 23 January with the Minister for Transport. The Chairs met with the Ministers to discuss:
• Where the current system has worked well and where it hasn’t; • Integration of strategic Planning and Transport; • The Planning Bill and support for regional spatial planning; • An Infrastructure Levy.
Post script:
The Scottish Government’s Local Government and Communities Committee has published its Stage 1 Report on the Planning (Scotland) Bill. This contains “…..we do not consider that the current statutory framework should be repealed…….” This is discussed in more detail at item 6c on the agenda.
❖ RTP Lead Officers meeting, Aberdeen, 9 May 2018
The RTP Lead Officers met to discuss: • Draft Minute of RTP Leads Meeting on 18th February and Matters Arising; • Draft Minute of RTP Chairs Meeting on 7th March and Matters Arising; • National Transport Strategy, including update from NTS Roles and Responsibilities Working Group and Matters arising from meeting with Minister; • CoSLA Updates, including Environment & Economy Board and an update on the Chairs meeting with Steven Heddle; • Active Travel Funding including Smarter Choices, Smarter Places funding; • Consultation Response on Social Isolation and Loneliness; • RTP Stakeholder Groups, including Future Leads; • Scotland’s Low Emissions Zones; • RTP Social Media Presence; and • Agenda for Chairs Meeting to be hosted by Swestrans in Gatehouse of Fleet, 6 June.
❖ NTS Safe & Resilient, Glasgow, 14 May 2018
This meeting discussed the policy objectives relating to safety & resilience that the group have had under consideration. The meeting agreed, subject to further written comment, on a set of policy consideration to be put forward for further consideration and assessment during drafting of the National Transport Strategy.
This further assessment is required as a number of policy areas cut across the various groups forming the National Transport Strategy Review.
❖ LABOF Steering Group, Aberdeen, 16 May 2018
Minutes of this meeting are attached as Appendix B.
3a Directors report.docx Page 12 2 ❖ NTS Roles & Responsibilities, Glasgow, 16 May 2018
This meeting was held to discuss a preliminary assessment of some options for future transport governance. Participants were asked to input to the assessment including identifying variants on the options under assessment. Further assessment is being undertaken and the group will consider further on 26 June 2018.
❖ Seven Cities Connectivity and Infrastructure, Perth, 21 May 2018
This meeting was postponed and has been rescheduled for 1 August 2018.
❖ HTAP Steering Group, Aberdeen, 28 May 2018
The Minutes from the meeting of the HTAP Steering Group are attached as Appendix C.
❖ City Region Deal Transport Working Group, Aberdeen, 29 May 2018
This meeting pulled together the information to be provided to Members at the briefing on 1st June. It finalised the summary tables and summary information used in the workshop. It agreed the draft interim objectives. These are draft because they need to be approved by the Board, Councils and the City Region Deal Joint Committee. They are interim because they will be reviewed following the ASAM model re-calibration following the opening of the Aberdeen Western Peripheral Route.
❖ Strategic Transport Appraisal briefing, Aberdeen, 1 June 2018
This meeting was attended by Councillors from Aberdeen City and Aberdeenshire, some MSP’s and some MP’s. The purpose of the meeting was to provide Members with a background to the process used for the development of objectives to be used for assessment of options developed as part of the Strategic Transport Appraisal being carried out as part of the City Region Deal. Members were also invited, through workshops, to comment upon the process and to say whether they felt the objectives covered aspects of their aspirations for the region.
❖ RTP Chairs, Gatehouse of Fleet, 6 June 2018
This meeting was attended by Dr Bochel and the Director. The Chairs discussed:
• The National Transport Strategy - o Updates from Cllr Edgar who attends the NTS Review Board o Updates on the various NTS Working Groups o Discussion following the Chairs meeting with the Minister and the Chairs follow up letter o Updates on the Local Government and Communities Committee Stage 1 report and the Ministers response; • Active Travel - o Updates on the RTP request for some direct funding from the increased Active Travel budget;
3a Directors report.docx Page 13 3 o Meeting arranged for 3 July 2018 with Transport Scotland officials to discuss the RTP preliminary bids for funding • The forward work programme for the RTP Chairs meetings including invitations for various groups/ bodies for discussion; • Stakeholder & Modal updates - o East Coast Mainline Authorities ▪ Update on the revised organisation and funding of the group o Low Emissions Zones ▪ Progress with the Glasgow Low Emission Zones proposal o Ferries update ▪ Northern Isles STAG and tendering for services beyond 2019 ▪ Outer Hebrides STAG ▪ Airport Surface Strategies • HIAL’s decision to introduce parking charges without full consideration of public transport access o Supports previous call for consideration of a requirement from the Minister for airports to have a surface access strategy; • An RTP/ RTP Chairs social media presence; • Hitrans’ Scottish Islands Passport Proposal.
Future Programme of Meetings
❖ CoSLA Environment & Economy Committee, Edinburgh, 15 June 2018
❖ RTP Chairs meeting with CoSLA Environment & Economy Chair, Cllr Heddle, Edinburgh, 15 June 2018
Three of the RTP Chairs will meet with Cllr Heddle to forge closer relationships between the RTP’s & CoSLA particularly with a view to common interests in many forthcoming Parliamentary Bills.
❖ NTS Roles and Responsibilities, Glasgow, 26 June 2018
The Director is unable to attend this meeting and a substitute wouldn’t be appropriate. The RTP’s will be represented by SPT.
❖ Strategic Transport Appraisal, Aberdeen, 27 June 2018
❖ East Coast Mainline Association, York, 29 June 2018
This meeting is open to all transport authorities served by the East Coast Mail Line franchise. Scotland will have representation from Cllr Edgar of Sestran and Jim Grieve, interim Lead Officer at Sestran.
❖ Active Travel meeting with Transport Scotland, Glasgow 3 July 2018
❖ Aberdeen City Region Deal Transport Working Group, Aberdeen, 4 July 2018
❖ Seven Cities Connectivity and Infrastructure, Perth, 1 August 2018
3a Directors report.docx Page 14 4
❖ RTP Lead Officers meeting, Perth, 13 August 2018
The RTP Lead Officers will be meeting representatives from Sustrans, Cycling Scotland and Paths for All.
❖ Aberdeen City Region Deal Transport Working Group, Aberdeen, 28 August 2018
❖ RTP Chairs, Shetland, 5 September 2018
Recommendation
The Board is recommended to note progress on liaison arrangements with other RTPs, the Scottish Government and others and arrangements for future meetings.
RD/RGM 7th June 2018
3a Directors report.docx Page 15 5 Appendix A Note of Health & Transport Action Plan Networking Event, 1st May 2018
As requested by the HTAP Steering Group, an HTAP Networking Event was delivered on 1st of May 2018. The event was hosted by Aberdeenshire Council at their Woodhill House HQ.
The event brought together representatives from local authorities’ transport departments, the Regional Transport Partnership Nestrans, Public Health, Road Safety North East Scotland, NHS Procurement and IT, Scottish Ambulance Service, Health & Social Care Partnerships, TSI bodies, Community Transport, commercial bus operators, councillors, Aberdeenshire Council Chief Executive Jim Savege and the HTAP Public Representative.
The HTAP Steering Group was well represented at the event with both sub-group chairs attending and many members of HTAP sub-groups, although some members of sub-groups were unavailable and did not attend.
The event offered a working lunch for the delegates to network. Gerry Donald, HTAP Chair, presented an overview of the aims of the HTAP in relation to co-ordinating partnership working across the two strands of “Transport & Public Health” and “Access to Health & Social Care.” Presentations were then delivered by partner organisations on the themes of Health Inequalities in Grampian, Delivering Transport in a Local Authority Context, Passenger Transport, Road Safety, Patient Transport provided by Scottish Ambulance Service and the Health & Social Care Partnership perspective on transport and access.
A Q&A session concluded the event with interesting ideas and dialogue being generated. Feedback from the event has indicated that it was a useful exercise in engaging all the partners with input to the various issues encompassed within the Health & Transport Action Plan and that the event has helped promote the shared responsibility across organisations for the visions set out and agreed by partners within the HTAP.
Actions Actions taken from the event were: 1. NHSG to consider how patients can choose their appointment time online to enable them to plan around available transport options. 2. NHSG to respond to the request for information associated with the Joint Vehicle Utilisation Review. 3. NHSG to consider how well patients are assisted on arrival at Aberdeen Royal Infirmary. 4. NHSG to better promote the Shuttle Bus service to patients. 5. NHSG to prepare a paper on whether a Discharge Hub will be taken forward. 6. Nestrans to publicise the Thistle Card replacing First Aberdeen and Stagecoach Passenger Assistance Cards. 7. All organisations to consider their engagement in HTAP sub-groups. 8. Presentation slides and contact details for attendees to be circulated. 9. Attendees to be invited to the Grampian Volunteer Transport Awards. 10. HTAP Steering Group to consider the question of responsibility for those who fall short of Patient Transport eligibility, have no access to public transport, community transport or their own vehicle. 11. HTAP Programme Manager to ask local authorities about the eligibility criteria for DRT regarding car ownership with reference to the road safety questions raised at the event in relation to drivers over 80 and accidents. 12. Partners to consider how to promote walking and cycling within and to health centres. 13. Hold another similar event in the future.
Andrew Stewart 8th May 2018
3a Directors report.docx Page 16 6 Appendix B LABOF Steering Group
Nestrans, 29 King Street, Aberdeen
Wednesday 16th May 2018
Note of Discussions and Actions
Attendees Ewan Wallace, Aberdeenshire Council (EW) (Chair) Richard Mckenzie, Aberdeenshire Council (RM) Rab Dickson, Nestrans (RD) Nicola Laird, Nestrans (NL) Daniel Laird, Stagecoach (DL) David Phillips, First (DP) Gale Beattie, Aberdeen City Council (GB) George Mair, CPT UK (GM) Mark Whitelocks, Stagecoach (MW) Andrew Jarvis, First Bus (AJ)
Apologies Derick Murray (Nestrans); Kirsty Chalmers (Nestrans); Chris Cormack (Aberdeen City Council)
Item Action 1. Welcome & Apologies EW welcomed George Mair and Gale Beattie to the group, and also John Dowie & Prospective who were joining by VC. 2. Prospective Presentation by John Dowie (First Group) by video-call EW introduced group to presenters from First Bus and Prospective, who introduced themselves in return. On the call were John Dowie (First Group), Joan Serras (Prospective) and Pete Ferguson (Prospective).
Work being done by Prospective provides an evidence based view on how the bus network and road network work together.
1. Project FirstMove
A visualisation tool that collects, processes and analyses First Bus data. Can assess congestion, bus speeds & performance.
2. Targeting network improvements
Identifies where the greatest number of passengers are affected by congestion through occupancy weighting.
3a Directors report.docx Page 17 7 Showed some Aberdeen specific data of passenger weighted delay per metre travelled. Also showed economic cost by route segment that links to current STAG practices, although this is a work in progress and currently only includes AM peak. Noted that the data does not currently include Stagecoach figures.
EW noted that this data so far shows a real potential for benefits moving forward. Data noted as being able to target NOx emissions and isolates the impact of speed on NOx emissions, which could be of greater value than the focus solely on euro classes.
After questioning by DL, it was confirmed that this data could break down emissions per passenger journey. Significant as this is a potential monitoring factor highlighted in the Bus Alliance agreement.
3. Illustrative sites
Can break down road segments to list worst affected areas by theme. DP discussed some of the specific areas of Aberdeen that have been analysed and have indicated issues.
- Castle street to Mealmarket street (King Street); - Castle Street to Constitution Street. (King Street & West North Street); - St Nicholas Kirk to Adelphi (Union Street); - Holburn Junction to Langstane Kirk (Holburn Street & Union Street); - Hammerfield Avenue to Newlands Crescent (Broomhill Road); and - School Road to Regent Walk (King Street).
Want to work to improve the consistency of journey time.
Recommend light touch & managerial interventions to start with over purely physical interventions. Will be able to see effect of small scale interventions almost immediately by referring to the data available.
John Dowie noted that they were keen to move beyond analysis into practical collaboration with local authorities, particularly regarding City Centre Masterplan (CCMP). Asked what the next steps should be in order to achieve this.
EW thanked presenters and highlighted presentation as being particularly illuminating. RD commented that the analysis is from Oct – Dec last year. Questioned how changes to Aberdeen network will change these results
3a Directors report.docx Page 18 8 and whether analysis needs repeated this autumn once changes have been implemented. John Dowie noted that local situations are constantly changing and so can never get a stable result. This data should allow information to be gathered quickly in order to compare and contrast with previous results. Noted that they are interested in areas that appear consistently in results as areas of interest, rather than individual results.
GB noted that collaboration is key to the CCMP. Need to consider the practical measures further but presentation was interesting as evidence is valuable and any ‘quick wins’ would be very welcome.
GM noted that this is a powerful tool that could be maximised by all. However in order to use it partners need to ensure that the data is able to be broadly applied to all operators, rather than just illustrative of one operator.
DP hopes that this data can be used in each meeting for reference and to use to evaluate what is being done as part of the Bus Alliance. NL asked a question on behalf of Derick Murray regarding how this type of data could help to advise future modelling practices. John Dowie noted that modelling is becoming more data driven as a whole and this data could give a better understanding for modelling data and predictions. These kinds of data very valuable in improving forecasting accuracy of transport modelling.
EW noted linkages into STAG will be very helpful for public sector making a case for investment and the economic impact is one of the potentially most powerful areas that could feed into local authority work.
EW noted 1st June date for presenting Strategic Transport Appraisal to elected members and politicians, which should include proposals for improving passenger transport. Asked whether part or all of this presentation could be included. RD commented would be appropriate for Jacobs to mention and they have been briefed by First/Prospective. AJ noted they would be happy to share information at a high level.
Prospective are happy to have visualisations incorporated where appropriate. RD asked whether possible to get a copy of presentation to be shared. EW added that information on 10 locations where specific measures could make a difference would be good to highlight.
Next steps: John Dowie should be able to expand
3a Directors report.docx Page 19 9 underlying data sets quite soon and will come back with more specific information on the top 10 or 20 sites of John Dowie/ greatest interest. Following this would be ideal to meet Prospective with key stakeholders at ACC to identify potential areas of & progression, particularly in the short term. Look to GB/Operators progress this before summer.
RM noted that there should be bands rather than specific items due to the limitations of operator data (as there could be situations where once both operators are accounted for a location could move from 7th place to 3rd place and vice versa).
John Dowie will liaise with DP on what can be shared with group from today. Asked whether Stagecoach would be amenable to provide data to maximise viability of results in the future. Stagecoach to consider options and will MW/DP have a separate discussion.
EW thanked presenters for their time. 3. Draft Minute of 24th January 2018 DP & MW asked GB for clarity regarding item on agenda of 24th January regarding CCMP. GB noted that it was her understanding that the CCMP will link with future discussions on the bus network. Advised that the core structure of the council in relation to this will be announced shortly.
DP asked for progress with current CCMP schemes. GB updated:
Union Terrace - Union Terrace Gardens planning application has been approved. Some of the Union Terrace roadworks have been included in this. Due to go out for tender with implementation due to start in September.
Station Gateway – Planning applications with transport impacts have been put on hold.
City Centre Car Parking Study – Is in a draft form and Transportation Strategy are currently working on it. To be reported around September.
GB to see whether operators can be involved in CCMP more as there are other external partners already GB involved on City Centre Partnership Board.
EW requested to add LEZ as a standing item on the agenda. NL
3a Directors report.docx Page 20 10 Group agreed for proposed amendment to item of CCMP NL to be added to minute.
Group agreed for addition to minute regarding Queens Road to be added to final version, with the provision of a comment highlighting that the issue had been further NL discussed following the meeting on 24th January. a) Matters arising Noted that majority of actions pertained to additions and amendments to the Bus Alliance, which had been actioned. Agreed to move on to next agenda item. 4. Bus Passenger Satisfaction Survey RD noted that Nestrans reported the outcome of the Transport Focus study to Nestrans board
Board noted concerns regarding the satisfaction level for value for money, and that to get best value tickets an individual required a greater initial outlay. Questioned whether this is beneficial for social inclusion. RD noted that the Nestrans board were wondering whether there is consideration of other ways to offer best value fares to people without large outlay.
MW noted that there are options already. What is driving satisfaction is more to do with congestion, punctuality etc. He also commented that despite longer term tickets offering inherent discounts, there is a perception that they offer less value for money, supporting the notion that value for money is more about the wider appeal of the bus service rather than the price of the ticket itself.
DL noted two biggest drivers for value for money – cost for distance travelled and cost relative to journey time. Reducing journey times will help with this. a) Value for money & reward for regular use NL brought up Derick Murray’s question as to whether a loyalty scheme for tickets would be a possible option. AJ noted that carnets already cover this aspect.
RD commented that the marketing of such products may need to be focused on and that carnets also required upfront outlay rather than reward for regular use. AJ noted that fare capping is on the horizon. However as there is no counterpart to TfL in Aberdeen, operators need to assess the risk regarding contactless payments, particularly with regards to underwriting.
However, as noted by NL, if this became an option fare capping could work to ensure that people never pay more than the price of a day ticket or the equivalent if buying
3a Directors report.docx Page 21 11 singles over the course of a day.
Noted that fare capping could be more difficult for lengthier routes. DL noted that E-Purse was supposed to target the outlay issue previously noted. Project was subsequently abandoned due to technical issues and difficulty is assessing whether there would be a large enough client base in order to make the scheme worth it.
Agreed that contactless is likely to be key moving forward. 5. Bus Alliance Update GM noted he is looking forward to taking the Alliance forward once it is signed. Thanked EW for his hard work as chair of LABOF Steering Group. Letter still to be sent out regarding passenger EW representation, as per the minute of 24th January. To be sent to Greg Mackay of Passenger Scotland. EW advised that the draft Bus Alliance report has been approved and welcomed by the Aberdeenshire Council Infrastructure Services Committee. EW has been given delegated powers to give final approval and sign it.
Members did link the Bus Alliance to area bus forums and asked whether this duplicates what these forums are doing. They were advised that it aims to complement the work done by the bus forums. Scheduled to go to ACC City Growth and Resources committee on 19th June.
EW to get in touch with GB to discuss whether more work needs to be done on Alliance document ahead of it going EW to committee.
It was suggested there may be an advantage in having a separate meeting to discuss the alliance document between LABOF partners and councillors. Current draft of Bus Alliance document has been approved by Nestrans, Stagecoach and Aberdeenshire Council. Still to be approved by Aberdeen City Council but had previously been advised that it had been passed through the legal team without comment. NL
NL noted that First Bus had come back with some changes and comments from their legal team, which needed to be considered in advance of a new draft.
Agreed for document, as it currently stands, to be shared with group for comment. Comments to be received by Wednesday 23rd May so that they can be amalgamated into a final version.
3a Directors report.docx Page 22 12 a) Quality Partnership Targets and Future Monitoring NL asked for First Bus to complete the Quality DP Partnership Standards and Targets document as previously discussed.
Also commented that these targets may help to advise initial targets for the Bus Alliance, although this would need further consideration once the Bus Alliance had been set up. NL also asked First Bus whether they had submitted a table of what vehicles were used in each air quality management zone.
AJ agreed to forward the data on this that they had AJ previously sent to Transport Scotland. 6. Date of next meeting TBC – Provisionally Wednesday 19th September
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Page 24 HTAP Steering Group 28 May 2018 NHSG Summerfield House, Aberdeen
Minute
Present Derick Murray (Vice Chair), Nestrans (DM) Rab Dickson, Nestrans (RD) Joanne Riach, NHS Grampian (JR) Gale Beattie, Aberdeen City Council (GB) Ewan Wallace, Aberdeenshire Council (EW) Virginia Irvine-Fortescue, Public Representative (VIF) Andrew Stewart, HTAP Programme Manager (AS) Stephen McNamee, Aberdeen City Health & Social Care Partnership (SMcN) Andrew Thomas Carr, Scottish Ambulance Service (ATC)
Apologies Gerry Donald, (Chair), NHS Grampian (GD) Euan Esslemont, Scottish Ambulance Service (EE) Nicola Moss, Moray Council (NM) Mike Ogg, Aberdeenshire Heath & Social Care Partnership (MO) Joyce Duncan, ACVO (JD)
Item Action 1. Welcome and Apologies DM welcomed everyone and noted the apologies given. DM thanked VIF for her two years of involvement with the Steering Group. 2. Previous Minute The previous minute was approved as accurate. 3. Matters Arising a) NM proposed arranging a meeting on the financial audit – ACTION: Chair will at raise next meeting. GD b) GD to follow up with KCG re: Vehicle Utilisation. ACTION: DM DM to speak to GD. c) NHSG now have representation on the sub-group. ACTION: AS AS to arrange an introductory meeting with Christina Cameron, Andrew Garden, Gerry Donald and Derick Murray. d) AS checked with Endowment Funding and confirmed it is not suitable for the Fund to give funding to THInC. They are considering making funding awards to Portlethen Community Bus and Deeside Community Transport. Gale Beattie joined meeting. e) HTAP Annual Report 16-17 was presented to Aberdeen Community Planning Partnership. f) AS drafted the letter for GD to send to CPP Chairs. This has been done. g) GD to take annual report to Board. ACTION: DM will speak to GD. h) NHSG Discharge Hub. GD has offered time from AS to help clarify the status of this idea.
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Page 25 i) The NHSG Endowment Fund is considering presence at Volunteer Transport Awards. j) AS circulated details on the Accessible Travel summit to NM. k) Travel to ARI Guide almost ready for publication. 4. HTAP Networking Event EW said the event went well. Recruited new members for sub-groups. GB said an ACC Elected Member emailed her to say how helpful the event was and had follow up meeting to discuss how ACC can support HTAP further. 5. HTAP Annual Report Approved. A version with graphics will be circulated. Partners asked to report it to their CPP Board, internally and amongst colleagues. All 6. Invoicing and Payment for THInC EW said invoices have been issued and should be with partners. 7. Daft As A Brush Cancer Patient Care DM summarised the paper and the progress engaging with the charity and their plans to expand nationally. AS explained a letter from NHSG Chief Executive to charity founder Brian Burnie has been issued. The charity plan an event in Newcastle. AS will keep the Steering Group informed. 8. NERVs (North East Rider Volunteers) Press article attached to papers was noted. 9. Access to Health & Social Care Sub-Group RD updated the meeting on the work of the sub-group. The last meeting was on 17th of May. The minute was issued with the papers along with a draft revised workplan prepared by AS. ACTION: AS to correct typo on attendees for Christina Cameron. RD noted the new members joining the group, including representation from Stagecoach. Finacial audit – questions about the consistency of approach used by local authorities providing the figures. RD highlighted the Volunteer Transport Awards taking place on Nov 9th THInC and THInC on the city ongoing. Aberdeen Royal Infirmary Guide almost finalised by Nestrans and funded by ACC SCSP. Journey Assistance Cards. Thistle Car replaces two operator branded cards. Thistle is a national scheme and replaces two local schemes. Online patient booking – hoping the new NHSG contacts can help bring forward integrated patient booking. DM requested that a paper that has gone to Aberdeen IJB regarding THInC: In The City be circulated to the group. AS requested that he be copied in on HTAP related correspondence. ACTION: RD to speak with RD SMcN regarding the report and circulation to the group. JR raised a Moray document by CAB for circulation. 10. Transport & Public Health Sub-Group JR updated the meeting on work being done by the Transport & Public Health sub-group which met on 22nd of May. The minute was issued with the papers. New members joining the group and good connections being made with Public Health from City and Transportation from Moray. The sub-group discussed the draft revised work plan prepared by AS. During the meeting there was discussion about the planning tools used within GD’s team and opportunities for building links there. At the sub-group meeting KW gave an update on the soon to be available evaluation of
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Page 26 Getabout. There had also been a good discussion about health and inequalities. A few people agreed to take actions. JR explained the work plan is updated considerably from the earlier version with new actions. Sub-Group members have been given two weeks for comments. On specific actions JR referred to Active Travel Prescriptions and opportunities around working with Aboyne medical practice and the Medal Routes Programme. Looking to work with the Aberdeenshire H&SC Partnership and Aberdeenshire Council. A lot of the actions are about working to develop joint approaches. JR highlighted the reviewing all active travel marketing and said she hopes Public Health can lead on this one. Travel Planning Guidance for new Health and Social Care Developments has been produced by AS with input from partners. Partners have been asked to return final comments within the next two weeks. VIF raised a question about whether safety is built into new developments. EW made the point about how walking and cycling and safety is the responsibility of the occupants of the building. EW asked what is the overall plan for new H&SC/NHS sites and the element of “goodwill” that is at the heart of a Travel Plan. EW mentioned the anticipated issues around patient access when the Hub in Inverurie opens. JR advised that there are some nominations for some actions but JR asked if the Steering Group wanted to be leads for some actions. DM asked to return to this later in the meeting. AS asked about competition between local bus operators and the improved rail services around Aberdeen. The meeting discussed the lessons from Borders. RD mentioned the potential for through ticketing. 11. AOCB AS confirmed a COSLA submission for THInC by Aberdeenshire Council on behalf of partners is to be submitted and is being finalised. Stephen McNamee joined the meeting. SMcN advised the meeting that a report will be going to IJB for a three year funding programme for transport for health and social care in Aberdeen. EW asked what the total cost of the current service is. (It is £82K for the two bus solution). DM informed the Steering Group of a meeting held with GD, DM and AS following the networking event. There was agreement that a wider audience was getting to grips with the aims of HTAP and the need to not let momentum not slip away. DM proposed making members of the Steering Group sponsors of actions within the work plans. This is distinct from a lead officer for each action. ACTION: Please send comments and All thoughts on this to AS. The consensus was that project sponsors was a good idea. EW said he’d be happy to adopt a sponsor type approach to see how it helps with momentum. EW mentioned that his Chief Executive is now aware of HTAP as a result of the Networking Event. The next Steering Group will be a meeting with an element of workshop and review. It has been agreed that the meeting will be from 2-5pm. 8. Future Meetings in 2018 26th September 2-5 2018 (Scottish Ambulance Service) 17th December 1-3 2018 (Aberdeenshire Council, Rm E1)
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Page 27 Minute by AS.
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Page 28 Agenda Item 3b
NORTH EAST SCOTLAND TRANSPORT PARTNERSHIP – 20 June 2018
3b Annual Performance Indicators
Purpose of Report
The purpose of this report is to provide members with an Annual Report outlining Nestrans’ performance against a number of agreed indicators.
Background
As a Regional Transport Partnership, Nestrans has always attempted to be open and transparent regarding its own performance, particularly in relation to travel and transport.
Annual Monitoring Reports are produced and the information contributes towards the partnership’s reporting as part of Climate Change mitigation, which is now a requirement on statutory public bodies.
Nestrans’ Key performance Indicators
Nestrans reports its performance against a number of agreed indicators on an annual basis, which are provided in graphic form as Appendix A to this report.
Performance Indicators from April 2017 – March 2018
1. Of 339 approved Business journeys, covering some 25,380 miles, over 85% of miles travelled were undertaken by bus or rail. Just 4% of business mileage was by car driver.
2. Nestrans’ Staff mode of travel to work indicates a good split between walking, cycling, public transport and driving with a majority of travel by sustainable modes: 14% active travel, 37% public transport.
3. The Nestrans website had approximately 11,256 individual visits during the period April 2017 to March 2018. This has increased and is now the highest level recorded. Other media access (e.g. Twitter, Getabout Facebook page) have seen continued use. From the figures obtained, the Nestrans Web site remains the preferred option for obtaining up to date information, with 14,700 pages viewed over the year.
In previous years, annual updates also provided details in relation to letters received, % of responses within certain timescales and staffing issues such as absences. These are excluded from this year’s report since a) most correspondence now comes in the form of emails and b) new restrictions on individuals’ rights to privacy mean that with such a small staff that it would be possible to identify individuals who had been on long-term sick or absent from work.
This data is still collected and used for internal management purposes, but is not published.
Page 29
Recommendation
It is recommended that the Board:
a) Note the contents of this report.
RD/TH/5 June 2018
Page 30 APPENDIX A
Nestrans Performance Indicators 2017-2018
Figure 1a: Modal Split - Miles travelled and Mode Share - Apr 2017 - Mar 2018 Air 2,742 Bus 11% 117 0% Car 978 4% Car Passenger 0% Air Bus Car Passenger Rail
Rail 21,518 85%
Total business miles travelled April 2017 to March 2018 = 25,380
Figure 1b: Number of Trips by Mode from April 2017-March 2018 Taxi Air 1 4 Bus 0% 1% 48 14%
Air Bus Car Car Rail Cycle 77 193 23% Passenger 57% Rail Taxi Cycle 6 2% Car Passenger 10 3%
Total number of business trips April 2017 to March 2018 = 339
Page 31 F I G U R E 1 C - TREND IN MILES TRAVELLED BY MODE 2013 - 2018 25000
20000 2013 15000 2014 2015 10000 2017 2018 5000
0 Cycle Bus Passenger Rail Car
F I G U R E 1 D - TREND NUMBER OF BUSINESS TRIPS BY M O D E 2 0 1 3 - 2 0 1 8 250
200 2013 150 2014 2015 100 2017 2018 50
0 Passenger Cycle Bus Rail Car Air
Page 32 Figure 2: Mode Share - Staff Travel to Work April 2017 - March 2018 Walk 12% Cycle Car 2% 31%
Car Car Share Rail
Bus Bus 26% Cycle Walk
Car Share Rail 18% 11%
Total recorded journeys to/from work: April 2017-March 2018 = 2,454
Figure 3a Visits to Nestrans Web Site 2009 -2018 12,000 11,256
10,000 9,107 9,001
8,000 8,060
6,000 4,155 3,415 4,000 3,077 2,501 2,000 1,641
-
Total visits to Nestrans website, 2009/10 to 2017/18
Page 33 FIGURE 3B VISITS TO NESTRANS WEB SITE & OTHER MEDIA APRIL 2017 - M A R C H 2 0 1 8 12,000 11,256
10,000
8,000
6,000
4,000
2,000 641 631 502 0 Nestrans Website Nestrans Twitter Getabout Twitter Follwers Getabout Facebook Followers
Total website and social media use up to March 2018 = 13,030
Figure 3c - Most visited pages on Nestrans Web site 652
814 4462
945 home page 981 projects/AWPR regional transport strategy
1061 board meetings other projects about Nestrans contact nestrans modern transport system 1218 4567
Total pages viewed on website 2017/18 = 14,700
Page 34 Agenda Item 3c
NORTH EAST SCOTLAND TRANSPORT PARTNERSHIP – 20 June 2018
3c Aberdeen City Region Deal - Strategic Transport Appraisal Objectives
Purpose of Report
The purpose of this report is to advise the Nestrans Board of the work that has been done and of the outcomes of the Scottish Transport Appraisal Guidance (STAG) Pre-Appraisal undertaken as the first stage of a Strategic Transport Appraisal component of the Aberdeen City Region Deal. A discussion on the findings from the STAG Pre-Appraisal and the development of Transport Planning Objectives (TPOs) is provided along with recommendations on how the study should progress.
Background
In November 2016, Aberdeen City Council, Aberdeenshire Council and Opportunity North East successfully agreed a City Region Deal with the UK and Scottish Governments. This deal, worth £826.2 million over a 10-year period, now provides a significant delivery mechanism for initiatives to support sustainable economic growth in the region. The allocation of the funds is split between a variety of projects, one of which is a Strategic Transport Appraisal that will take a 20-year strategic view of the transport implications of the investment unlocked by the Aberdeen City Region Deal across all modes, including road, rail and active travel. The appraisal will consider established policy directives including National, Regional and Local Transport Strategies along with current projects such as the Aberdeen Western Peripheral Route, Balmedie to Tipperty Dualling, Haudagain junction improvement and Aberdeen to Inverurie Rail upgrade. It will also take cognisance of the Government’s purpose and associated strategic outcomes including the broad measures covering a range of economic, health, social and environmental indicators and targets through the National Performance Framework.
Transport Scotland, Department for Transport, Nestrans, Aberdeen City and Shire Strategic Development Planning Authority, Aberdeen City Council and Aberdeenshire Council (the Project Working Group) jointly commissioned a Pre-Appraisal, to be undertaken in accordance with Scottish Transport Appraisal Guidance (STAG), in September 2017 as the first stage of Strategic Transport Appraisal component of the Deal. The Pre-Appraisal report and executive summary forms the output from this stage. The Scottish and UK Governments have together committed to investing up to £5 million towards the STAG process, with Aberdeen City Council and Aberdeenshire Council contributing up to a further £2 million.
The UK Government and Scottish Government have set up a joint group to co-ordinate the implementation of all Scottish City Region Deals, and the terms of reference includes “Agreeing, as far as possible, common negotiation positions with the relevant authorities which will underpin the negotiation of new City Region Deals or any potential future regional growth deals within Scotland”. In a separate agreement, the Scottish Government signed a ‘Memorandum of Understanding’ with the two Councils that also committed a further £224m to the development of transport investment, including a £200m investment in the rail infrastructure to reduce journey times between Aberdeen and Edinburgh/Glasgow.
The STAG Pre-Appraisal – draft Interim Findings can be found in Appendix 1 along with the draft Interim Transport Planning Objectives in Appendix 2 and the Key Findings from the Members Workshop in Appendix 3.
3c STA Objectives Page 1
Page 35
Strategic Transport Appraisal
The Strategic Transport Appraisal part of the City Region Deal takes a long-term view of the key transport requirements of the region. This will assist with the delivery of the key aims of the City Region Deal and in part identify the key areas of infrastructure investment necessary to facilitate the aims and vision of the Regional Economic Strategy. It will take a 20-year strategic view (up to year 2040) across all modes. The scope of work will include addressing issues on key strategic corridors to promote economic growth in the region and assist in facilitating the City Centre Masterplan.
The specific aims of the study are to: • Identify cross modal problems and opportunities with the Aberdeen City Region strategic transport provision (includes a workshop with elected Members from across the region to inform the process); • Identify key appraisal themes around which further work should be structured; and • Develop Transport Planning Objectives for the Aberdeen City Region to support future appraisal work and inform the development of the Regional Transport Strategy.
Key Themes
From the process of identifying both problem and opportunity categories along with an analysis of relevant policies and strategies, key themes were derived that directly reflect each of these elements.
The Key Themes that have been derived are:
1. Connections to and integration of core growth areas. Seeks to demonstrate that core growth areas are well connected to and integrated with existing land-uses and the transport network. The aim of this is to reduce dependence on the private car. 2. Maintaining and enhancing the natural & built environment so that the region remains a desirable place to live, work and visit. Seeks to demonstrate that the current and future transport system does not impact negatively on the region’s environment, including air quality, and enhances it where possible. 3. Increasing travel choices for all. Seeks to demonstrate that there are a number of travel choices available for key journeys with a particular focus on making the alternatives to private car more attractive. 4. Reducing the need to travel. Seeks to demonstrate that alternative means are available to provide the region’s residents the ability to fulfil more of their needs/ responsibilities without having to travel to do so. 5. Supporting key sectors and facilitating increased diversification of the region’s economy, as highlighted in the 2015 Regional Economic Strategy. Seeks to demonstrate that the transport system provides efficient access to key markets. 6. Creating a safe, resilient and affordable transport system. Seeks to demonstrate that the transport system reduces accidents, is able to accommodate unexpected changes and is cost effective to use. 7. Improving strategic connectivity. Seeks to demonstrate that the region is connected to key markets so that it is not relatively disadvantaged compared with other regions.
3c STA Objectives Page 2
Page 36 Transport Planning Objectives
The Transport Planning Objectives (TPOs) derived for this study are focussed on reflecting the identified problems and opportunities, link significantly with the Key Themes and express the outcomes sought for the study. The TPOs can therefore be traced back through each step of the adopted methodology in a clear and transparent way. This allows their areas of coverage to be demonstrated, and the source of each, to ensure that a robust, evidence- based audit trail is demonstrated. As part of this process, all elected Members from across the region were invited to take part in a workshop to review the draft interim objectives and outcomes from the workshop along with adjustments made to the TPOs following the workshop can be found in Appendix 3. Once the interim objectives are approved, the appraisal will move forward to the option generation and assessment stage. A review of the interim objectives will be undertaken post Aberdeen Western Peripheral Route (AWPR) opening and the assessment of options can be updated if there are any changes. Further detail on the draft interim Objectives can be found in Appendix 2.
The draft interim TPOs derived for this study are:
TPO 1: Increase access to a sustainable transport system for all, recognising specific needs of disadvantaged and vulnerable users. Focus is on alleviating the problems and addressing the opportunities related to access to and the sustainability of the Aberdeen City Region transport system as a whole. The transport system includes the road, rail and active travel networks and the various services (including bus, rail, taxi and freight) that operate on them. All users are included with recognition given to disadvantaged and vulnerable users to both improve access to potential employment and key services, and ultimately their quality of life. TPO 2: Reduce the business costs of transport for all sectors of the economy to realise the aspirations of the Regional Economic Strategy. Focus is on improving the competitiveness of businesses in the region, which is a key aspiration of the Regional Economic Strategy. The objective should be one that promotes the UK and Scottish economy by improving connectivity to the transport network for businesses to efficiently and effectively access key global markets. Additionally, a focus will be on addressing key problems such as transport related costs, long journey times and journey time reliability. TPO 3: Reduce the adverse impacts of transport on public health and the natural and built environment. Focus is on alleviating transport related problems that adversely impact upon the quality of life in the region, including vehicle emissions and accidents, whilst maintaining and enhancing the high quality of the natural and built environment, which is a key factor attracting a skilled workforce and tourism to the region. This will encompass opportunities linked to new technologies and initiatives, such as electric/hydrogen vehicles and Mobility as a Service. TPO 4: Improve the integration of transport and land use to reduce the need to travel by private car. Focus is on addressing problems that act as barriers to linking employment, retail / leisure and residential areas with a sustainable, connected public transport and active travel network, to reduce the need to travel by private car. Additionally, a focus will be on creating a high quality digital network to reduce the need for travel. TPO 5: Improve the relative competitiveness of public transport compared to the private car. Focus is on addressing problems and opportunities in relation to the perception that public transport is not currently a desirable alternative to the private car due to factors including limited public transport network coverage within the region and cross-boundary, unreliable journey times and the low cost of parking available within the city centre. TPO 6: Maintain and enhance a safe, resilient and reliable transport network. Focus is on addressing problems associated with road safety, particularly vehicle/active travel conflicts, and a lack of alternative routes should incidents occur. It is linked to opportunities
3c STA Objectives Page 3
Page 37 concerning continuing road safety initiatives, freight movements and benefits that may be realised by capitalising on future major infrastructure commitments, such as Aberdeen Western Peripheral Route.
Next Steps
Approval of the interim objectives and key problems and opportunities will facilitate the finalisation and then publication of the final technical reports. These will be reviewed by the Project Working Group. This will feed into the review of the National Transport Strategy and the Strategic Transport Projects Review.
The Pre-Appraisal has set the context for deriving objectives against which the future appraisal of all potential interventions to support economic growth in the Aberdeen City Region will be assessed. This includes the impacts of macro effects such as Brexit on the levels of regional economic activity. It will also include a focus on advances in digital technology which will provide opportunities in regard to future travel requirements as well as providing technological solutions to improving the efficient movement of people and goods, including reducing their need to travel. Following completion of the Pre-Appraisal including the option generation stage, the next stage of the process will be to commission a STAG Initial Appraisal (Part 1) which, in addition to the Transport Planning Objectives, will consider the development of options against the following standard criteria:
STAG Criteria
Environment – Comprises a qualitative assessment of the impacts on the key environmental attributes and characteristics of the study area;
Safety – Comprises two sub-criteria: accidents and security;
Economy – Comprises three sub-criteria: Cost-benefit analysis, wider economic benefits and net effects of any option on the local and national economy;
Integration – Comprises three sub-criteria: Transport integration, land-use integration and policy integration;
Accessibility and Social Inclusion – Comprises two sub criteria: Community accessibility and comparative accessibility.
The Part 1 Appraisal will also assess the feasibility, affordability and public acceptability of any options along with consideration of established national, regional and local policy directives.
Recommendations
The Board is recommended to:
1. Note the findings and outcomes of the draft Scottish Transport Appraisal Guidance (STAG) Pre-Appraisal – City Region Deal – Strategic Transport Appraisal; and 2. Approve the draft interim Transport Planning Objectives identified in Appendix 2.
KN/KW 06 June 2018
3c STA Objectives Page 4
Page 38
APPENDIX 1
Aberdeen City Region Strategic Transport Appraisal
Transport Scotland, DfT, NESTRANS, Aberdeen City and Shire Strategic Development Planning Authority, Aberdeen City Council, Aberdeenshire Council
Problems, Opportunities and Objectives – Draft Interim Findings 06 June 2018
Contents 1. Introduction ...... 6 1.1 Background ...... 6 1.2 Study Context ...... 6 1.3 Strategic Transport Appraisal ...... 7 1.4 Regional Context ...... 8 1.5 Socio-Economic Context ...... 9 1.6 Transport Context ...... 12 2. Problems & Opportunities ...... 14 2.1 Deriving Problem & Opportunities ...... 14 2.2 Problems & Opportunities Categories ...... 15 2.3 Key Problem & Opportunities ...... 16 3. Key Themes ...... 17 4. Transport Planning Objectives ...... 18 5. Next Steps ...... 20 5.1 Developing the Strategies ...... 20
3c STA Objectives Page 5
Page 39 1. Introduction
Background
Aberdeen City Region Deal
In November 2016 Aberdeenshire Council, Aberdeen City Council and Opportunity North East successfully agreed a City Region Deal with the UK and Scottish Governments. This deal, worth £826.2 million over a 10-year period, now provides a significant delivery mechanism for initiatives to support sustainable economic growth in the region. The allocation of the funds is split between a variety of projects, one of which is a Strategic Transport Appraisal that will take a 20-year strategic view of the transport implications of the investment unlocked by the Aberdeen City Region Deal across all modes, including road and rail.
The Project Working Group1 jointly commissioned a Pre-Appraisal Study to be undertaken in accordance with Scottish Transport Appraisal Guidance (STAG) in September 2017. This study forms one of the first stages of the Strategic Transport Appraisal component of the Deal.
This document summarises the draft interim findings from the Pre-Appraisal stage.
Study Context
The North East of Scotland is one of the most prosperous regions in the UK and retains a high performing economy, despite having faced some challenging times in recent years, primarily due to fluctuating global oil prices. In addition to the opportunities in the oil and gas sector there has been significant investment by the private sector in other strong performing industries. The Aberdeen City Region Deal recognises the opportunity for investment in transport and digital infrastructure to support the planned economic and population growth such that the region can fully realise its economic potential.
Infrastructure is considered critical to the region’s ambition to remain an internationally competitive business environment. The Regional Economic Strategy, upon which much of the City Region Deal agreement is based, emphasises the desire for the region to retain its overall competitiveness whilst securing a long-term economic future, and that infrastructure is essential to this. A key element for the Strategy is to “invest in an infrastructure that caters for the needs of a high performing international city region economy and a growing hinterland – roads with capacity to cope with the demands of business; extensive air and sea links, digital connectivity to develop competitive business, and a competitive and accessible public transport system”.
Four key programmes were established through the Strategy to assist in achieving the vision, including:
• Investment in Infrastructure; • Innovation; • Inclusive Economic Growth; and • Internationalism.
1 Consisting of representatives from Transport Scotland, Department for Transport, NESTRANS, Aberdeen City and Shire Strategic Development Planning Authority, Aberdeen City Council and Aberdeenshire Council
3c STA Objectives Page 6
Page 40 To act in part as a delivery mechanism for the Regional Economic Strategy, the Aberdeen City Region Deal has been designed with six key project areas at its core, towards which funding will be directed to enable the economy of the region to continue to develop and grow. These projects are:
• The Oil and Gas Technology Centre;
• Bio-Therapeutic Hub for Innovation;
• Agri-Food & Nutrition Hub for Innovation;
• Digital Infrastructure;
• Aberdeen Harbour Expansion; and
• Strategic Transport Appraisal
Strategic Transport Appraisal
The Strategic Transport Appraisal part of the City Region Deal will take a long-term view of the key transport requirements of the region. This will assist with the delivery of the key aims of the City Region Deal and in part, identify the key areas of infrastructure investment necessary to facilitate the aims and vision of the Regional Economic Strategy. It will take a 20-year strategic view (up to year 2040) across all modes including road and rail and will be based on Scottish Transport Appraisal Guidance (STAG).
Pre-Appraisal
This study forms part of the Pre-Appraisal stage of the Aberdeen City Region Deal Strategic Transport Appraisal. As such it is a multi-modal, objective-led, study that identifies key themes to drive the future direction of action, and develop interim Transport Planning Objectives upon which to appraise the likely effectiveness of future interventions in supporting the aspirations of the Regional Transport Strategy.
The specific aims of this study are to:
• Identify evidence based cross modal problems and opportunities with strategic transport provision in the Aberdeen City Region;
• Identify key themes around which further appraisal effort should be structured; and
• Develop draft interim Transport Planning Objectives informed by the review of problems and opportunities, and existing and emerging transport, land-use and economic development policy position for the Aberdeen City Region.
Methodology
The study is being overseen by a Project Working Group with monthly progress meetings held to discuss progress, key issues, agree decisions and to guide the overall direction and programme of the study.
By following STAG principles, this study has used an evidence-based approach to identify transport problems and opportunities and from this has derived draft interim objectives. Participation and consultation with the public and stakeholders has been vital to the process and has provided valuable and informative input to the Pre-Appraisal process.
The context and evidence base that underpins this Pre-Appraisal has been established through undertaking:
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Page 41 • Extensive stakeholder engagement via structured interviews, workshops and surveys;
• Reviews of relevant policies, strategies and previous appraisals; and
• Comprehensive data analysis.
The data analysis is facilitated by a multi-layered geospatial GIS tool comprising a range of demographic, economic, and traffic and transport datasets that was developed to assist in the identification, definition, verification and understanding of the transport related problems and opportunities across the Aberdeen City Region. The transport data included outputs from the Aberdeen Sub Area Model (ASAM), which is the strategic multi-modal transport model covering the Aberdeen City and Aberdeenshire region and includes cross boundary movements into the Highland, Perth and Kinross and Angus local authority areas. Model outputs representing 2017 traffic conditions, with the Aberdeen Western Peripheral Route (AWPR) operational, and a 2037 future year were analysed to identify the likely future year problems and opportunities associated with the road and public transport networks.
Regional Context
The Aberdeen City Region consists of a mix of urban and rural areas in the north-east of Scotland comprising of the local authority areas of Aberdeen City (186 km2) and Aberdeenshire (6,313 km2). The landscape of the region is a varied one; at the core is the urban centre of Aberdeen City, Scotland’s third largest city which provides the bulk of employment within the region. This is surrounded by the rugged coastline along the North Sea in the east, the agricultural lowlands in the heart of the region, to the mountains of the Cairngorms National Park in the west. Several larger towns located within Aberdeenshire, such as Peterhead, Fraserburgh, Inverurie, Westhill, Stonehaven and Ellon perform key roles in housing much of the region’s population as well as supporting its prosperity with a wide range of businesses.
Historically, the physical environment of the region shaped the focus of the economy on the traditional sectors of agriculture, forestry, fishing and mining of granite. However, in the mid-1970s the discovery of significant oil reserves in the North Sea fundamentally shifted the focus of the economy to exploration and extraction of oil. This gave new impetus to the labour market, with a high number of highly-skilled and highly-paid jobs leading to a rapid increase in population. This led to the expansion of the urban footprint of Aberdeen City and the increased growth of several of the aforementioned larger towns in Aberdeenshire, a trend that continued over the following 40 years through increased housing development in and around the City and likewise growth in employment in the heart of the City and other areas, such as the airport. Investment in transport infrastructure in the Aberdeen City Region has historically struggled to keep pace with the more rapid growth in households and key employment sectors, and one of the consequences of this is a region that is more car dependent than other areas of Scotland.
The global nature of the oil industry has proven to be susceptible to volatile fluctuations that has impacted the region. For example, in the two-year period between 2014 and 2016, the significant decrease in oil prices to a low of $26.01, resulted in the oil industry taking action to reduce costs, which saw 150,000 oil related jobs in the UK being lost. However, through this economic turbulence, the region has demonstrated its’ resilience and looks to be recovering to a stronger position through the recent efficiencies and technological advances in the oil industry, positive gains in the price of a barrel of oil to an approximate of $76.00 (May 2018 average), and support from further diversification of the economy, particularly in the food and drink, renewables and tourism sectors. If sustained, this will establish a solid foundation on which to build the future aspirations and aims of the Regional Economic Strategy.
The recent significant public sector investment into large scale transport infrastructure improvements are of course key components to unlock further growth. It will be important going forward that the transport system continues to match the demands of the accelerating economic growth in the region.
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Page 42 Socio-Economic Context
The socio-economic profile of the Aberdeen City Region is one that reflects the rapid pace of growth in the oil and gas industry in the region.
The population of the region has grown significantly in the last five decades, particularly when compared to the rest of Scotland. Since 2001, the growth in two authority areas differs slightly, with Aberdeen City demonstrating a slower population growth rate at 8.5%, but more favourable economically active age characteristics of that population, while Aberdeenshire has experienced a higher population growth rate, albeit with a larger proportion of the population over 65 who are less likely to be economically active. Both local authority areas also demonstrate a high level of academic attainment and subsequent high skill level, providing the valuable employment market for businesses in the region.
Figure 1 Population Growth (indexed to 1971 [1971=100]) Source: NOMIS 2017
Population growth rate (2001-2017); Aberdeen City 8%, Aberdeenshire 15.4%, Scotland 7.1%, City of Edinburgh 14.3%, Glasgow City 7.3%, Dundee City 2.2% and SRA 5.9%; Working Age Population (Nomis, 2017); Aberdeen City 69%, Aberdeenshire 63%, Scotland 65%, City of Edinburgh 71%, Glasgow City 71%, Dundee City 67% and SRA
60%;
Qualifications – level 4 and above (Census, 2011); Aberdeen City 43%, Aberdeenshire
37%, Scotland 36%, City of Edinburgh 41%, Glasgow City 35%, Dundee City 35% and
SRA 34%.
The high quality of life within the region is evident in the lower levels of deprivation, higher house prices and proportions of homes in the highest council tax bands compared to other cities within Scotland. Both local authorities also demonstrate a significantly higher proportion of homes with access to two of more cars, and equally a lower proportion of homes with no cars available. These statistics highlight the dominance of the private car, which is covered in more detail later. Nevertheless, it is clear that within Aberdeen City that public transport and active travel networks play a key role for the 32% of households without access to a car.
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Page 43
Figure 2 Car Availability Source: Census 2011
Number of locations within 20% most deprived in Scotland (SIMD, 2016); Aberdeen City 22,
Aberdeenshire 6, City of Edinburgh 82, Glasgow City 360, Dundee City 69 and SRA 71; Average House Price 2017 (Scottish Government, 2017); Aberdeen City £210,428, Aberdeenshire £216,351, Scotland £180,663, City of Edinburgh £262,868, Glasgow City £170,625, Dundee City £144,436 and SRA £164,734; Council Tax Bands F-H Ranges (Scottish Government, 2016); Aberdeen City 15%, Aberdeenshire 23%, Scotland 13%, City of Edinburgh 21%, Glasgow City 7%, Dundee City 5% and SRA 12%.
Figure 3 Number of locations in 20% most deprived Source: SIMD 2016
Economic activity is high in the region, with the employment market highlighting the high-skill level and higher salary levels that have become synonymous with the oil and gas industry. In the Aberdeen City and Aberdeenshire local authority areas average weekly incomes are significantly higher than the other comparator areas within Scotland.
In recent years there has been evidence of the growth in other sectors particularly in tourism and renewables within the Aberdeen City Region, and this has been further substantiated through the increasing uptake in new sites by businesses in these two sectors.
Since 1997 the Aberdeen City Region has also witnessed significant growth in Gross Value Added (GVA), despite a slower growth rate experienced in recent years coinciding with the drop in oil price. In 2015 the Aberdeen City Region contributed a similar amount to the Scottish economy as that of both Glasgow and Edinburgh Cities. Considering the GVA per head, it is clear that Aberdeen City delivers a significantly higher contribution compared to both Glasgow and Edinburgh, demonstrating the success of the local economy.
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Page 44
Figure 4 Regional GVA (Total (£)) Source:ONS 2016
Figure 5 Regional GVA (Per Head (£)) Source: ONS 2016
Economic Activity Rates (Census, 2011); Aberdeen City 73%, Aberdeenshire 64%, Scotland 69%, City of Edinburgh 69%, Glasgow City 64%, Dundee City 64% and SRA 70%;
Regional GVA Growth 1997-2015 (ONS, 2015); Aberdeen City 107%, Aberdeenshire 135%, City of Edinburgh 112%, Glasgow City 92%, Dundee City 68% and SRA 87%; Regional GVA Growth per Head 1997-2015 (ONS, 2015); Aberdeen City 95%, Aberdeenshire 103%, City of Edinburgh 90%, Glasgow City 87%, Dundee City 71% and SRA 74%. New Enterprise 2 Year Survival Rate (ONS, 2015); Aberdeen City 81%, Aberdeenshire 3c84%, STA ObjectivesScotland 77%, City of Edinburgh 75%, Glasgow City 72%, Dundee City 78%Page and 11 SRA 78%.
Page 45 Transport Context
Investment in transport infrastructure, historically, in the Aberdeen City Region has struggled to keep pace with the more rapid growth in population and key employment sectors. In recent years, however, this gap has been narrowed as key high-profile infrastructure projects are completed or are due for completion in the very near future. Examples of significant infrastructure investment include the Aberdeen Western Peripheral Route, Diamond Bridge, Haudagain junction improvements, the City Centre Masterplan and revised Roads Hierarchy, the new Aberdeen South Harbour and the Programme of Rail Revolution. Each of these initiatives is aimed at providing mechanisms for unlocking further growth, demographically and economically.
Key to the Regional Economic Strategy is the ability of the transport infrastructure in the region to enable future growth and opportunity within the region. Transport in the region plays two crucial roles, enabling the movement of people to and from jobs, leisure and residential locations; and linking businesses located within the Aberdeen City Region to their key local and external markets. Key to facilitating these movements are the main transport corridors and hubs, such as the forthcoming AWPR, radial bus routes, the rail network, Aberdeen International Airport and the ports and harbours of Aberdeen, Peterhead and Fraserburgh.
Within the region, travel by private car is dominant over all other methods of travel. This has significant impacts on the road network, which is further constrained by natural barriers such as the crossings at the Rivers Don and Dee. During peak periods, the heavy reliance on the private car has a detrimental impact on journey time reliability, emission levels and safety concerns with other road users and active travel conflicts.
Public transport suffers from a lack of competitiveness compared with private car, with evidence that journey times are long throughout the region and often there is a lack of direct services to non- Aberdeen city centre locations, due to the radial routing of most services. This often results in the need to undertake multiple interchanges to travel to key locations. The Census 2011 data illustrates that the Aberdeen City Region has a lower public transport and active travel mode share compared to other cities and rural and Scottish averages.
Aberdeen International Airport is the third largest airport within Scotland, providing direct and frequent flights to the rest of the UK and key European locations such as Amsterdam and Scandinavia. Additionally, the airport is the best-connected airport for UK to UK flights, which is a crucial aspect due to the propensity of the airport to be used for business flights. In 2013, 61% of all passengers from Aberdeen City Airport were business travellers, compared to 30% at Edinburgh Airport and 27% at Glasgow Airport. Passenger numbers have fluctuated in the last 10 years, although 2017 witnessed a growth of 4.6% from the previous year, after two preceding years of passenger reductions The importance of the airport to the region is highlighted by the fact that the number of passengers is similar in scale to those traveling through Aberdeen Rail Station, whereas in Edinburgh and Glasgow the number of people travelling through the rail stations in the cities far exceeds those using the respective airports.
Due to the geographical proximity of Aberdeen to the North Sea oil fields and fishing waters, marine transport plays an important role in the growth in the region’s economy. Aberdeen Harbour plays a crucial role in the supply and maintenance of vessels related to the oil and gas industry and handles over 6,500 shipping movements annually. Both Peterhead and Fraserburgh ports have also demonstrated growth in tonnage passing through the ports and play key roles in the fishing industry, with Peterhead also being the premier supply harbour for the larger subsea support vessels.
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Figure 6 Mode Share Source: Census 2011
Change in Vehicle KMs 2011-2015 (Scottish Transport Statistics, 2016); Aberdeen City 3%, Aberdeenshire 8%, Scotland 5%, City of Edinburgh 4%, Glasgow City 6%, Dundee City 0% and SRA 5%;
Growth in Airport Terminal Passengers 2011-2017 (CAA, 2018); Aberdeen Airport 0.2% , Edinburgh Airport 42.9%, Glasgow Airport 44.3%;
Propensity to Fly 2017 (ratio of annual passengers to population of City Deal areas); Aberdeen Airport 6.3%, Edinburgh Airport 9.8%, Glasgow Airport 5.4% The ratio of passenger/population includes both arriving and departing at the airports
Rail Passenger Growth 2010-2015 (ORR, 2016); Aberdeen 17% (+495,642); Inverurie 54% (+188,182), Dyce 15% (+84,736), Stonehaven 11% (+52,976), Portlethen 206% (+37,942), Insch 36% (31,524), Laurencekirk 42% (+30,942), Huntly 18% (+15,836);
Road Accidents 2011-2016 (STATS 19, 2016), 2017 [Provisional] (Police Scotland Accident File System); Since 2011 there has been a 42% reduction in the number of accidents on roads in the Aberdeen City Region, decreasing from 878 (2011) to 513 (2017 Provisional). 27% of all accidents in 2016 involved a pedestrian or cyclist in the Aberdeen City Region compared to 47% in Edinburgh, 38% in Glasgow and 29% across Scotland.
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Page 47 2. Problems & Opportunities
Deriving Problem & Opportunities
The identification and definition of Problems and Opportunities has been the fundamental basis for the derivation of the Key Themes and subsequent Objectives for this study. A two phased approach was undertaken as part of this process during Autumn and Winter 2017. The first phase consisted of:
Stakeholder Engagement: key stakeholders chosen because they represent a diverse range of organisations with a vested interest in the region’s transport system. Extensive engagement was undertaken with these stakeholders through a variety of means: o Structured Interviews - with transport bodies, business and youth representatives; o Stakeholder Workshops - with local authorities, transport operators & organisations, business organisations, universities, disability organisations and the north east Scotland freight forum; o Elected Member Workshops - was held specifically for the region’s Elected Members; o Surveys – online surveys with Aberdeen City and Aberdeenshire community councils and the public.
ASAM Transport Model: analysis covering current and future year forecasts of transport conditions.
Phase two involved using the two sources listed below to undertake gap analysis and validation of the identified problems and opportunities from phase one.
Data analysis: covering socio-economic data, and transport and traffic data collated from a number of sources.
Policy Review and Previous Studies: including: o National Transport Strategy Refresh, o Strategic Transport Projects Review, o Nestrans Regional Transport Strategy Refresh, o Aberdeen City Local Transport Strategy, o Aberdeenshire Local Transport Strategy, o Regional Economic Strategy, o Aberdeen City Region Deal, o Aberdeen City and Shire Strategic Development Plan, o Aberdeen City Local Development Plan, o Aberdeenshire Local Development Plan, o Aberdeen City Centre Masterplan and Delivery Programme, o Wide range of up to date Appraisals, which have included Aberdeen Roads Hierarchy, Aberdeen Cross City Connections, A90 Fraserburgh Peterhead Ellon – Aberdeen Corridor Study, A947 Route Improvement Strategy, Access from the South - Bridge of Dee Study and Wellington Road Multi-Modal Corridor Study.
This process generated large numbers of individual problems and opportunities that were analysed and distilled to more aggregate ‘categories’.
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Page 48 Problems & Opportunities Categories
Having identified a range of problems and opportunities, these were further grouped to develop a number of categories as outlined below.
Table 1: Identified Problems Categories
ACCESSIBILITY ROAD
Long journey times to key destinations Key corridors in region suffer journey time reliability Local geography constrains ability to create efficient issues during peak times transport system Lack of high capacity road network provision Poor access to the airport from Dyce Rail Station Road infrastructure for freight movements is not always suitable ACTIVE TRAVEL Low cost and relative ease of parking in the city Lack of high quality connected active travel provision Safety issues on road network Road safety concerns hinders active travel uptake Poor perception of road maintenance
Constrained road capacity on key corridors into city CONNECTIVITY centre Relative isolation of the Aberdeen City Region to Constrained road capacity in the city centre Central Belt and poor inter-town connectivity Lack of alternative vehicular routes AWPR alone will not necessarily solve all problems of Vehicle dominant mode in city centre connectivity Unsafe driver behaviour Lack of quality, accessible multi-modal interchanges City centre journey time reliability issues during peak Lack of high speed internet access times High traffic volumes into city during peak times PUBLIC TRANSPORT
Public transport options not being competitive when SOCIO-ECONOMIC compared to the private car Over-reliance on car as main mode of travel Lack of public transport accessibility Limited integration between land use & transport Unreliable public transport journey times during peak network times and in built up areas Limited funding opportunities Lack of public transport capacity on key corridors Negative health impact from vehicle emissions High cost of travelling Growing & ageing population Difficult for vulnerable users to access public transport, i.e. connections to Aberdeen Rail Oil and gas dominated economy Station from the city centre Skills shortage for key industries Limited scope for public sector funding for improved Poor tourism infrastructure and difficult to access bus provision attractions
Table 2: Identified Opportunities Categories
ACCESSIBILITY ENVIRONMENT
Better connect the region as a whole Technology as a way of improving transport City Centre Masterplan network efficiency Economic benefit of an airport well integrated with the Reduced emissions will improve air quality city region PUBLIC TRANSPORT Improved regional accessibility will facilitate change Committed rail developments including Kintore towards more sustainable movements Station and Programme of Rail Revolution Travel planning can result in behaviour change Increased positive growth in rail patronage Maximise access to new harbours
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Page 49 Make bus more competitive with car ECONOMY AND DEVELOPMENT Change perception of public transport Continued economic growth Build on identified successes of park & ride sites Develop the tourism offering ROAD Increase collaboration between government and Lock in AWPR benefits business Move towards a less car dependent region Move towards higher density and well located developments to reduce the need to travel by car Freight efficiency benefits from AWPR Growth (economic, employment and tourism) Continuing improvements to road safety generated by new harbour ACTIVE TRAVEL Local existing high skills base Quality sustainable travel provision shown to High quality of life in the Aberdeen City Region increase uptake of these modes CONNECTIVITY Health benefits associated with an increase in Recent digital connectivity improvements can reduce walking and cycling the need to travel Incorporation of high quality active travel provision Improved regional connectivity will facilitate change as part of City Centre Masterplan towards more sustainable movements
Key Problem & Opportunities
A further review of the wide range of problems and opportunities was carried out to determine the Key Problems and Opportunities, within the context of this study. These describe the specific regional context with which the transport network functions, or is expected to function in future, and views on how these may broadly be addressed:
Table 3: Key Problems & Opportunities
KEY PROBLEMS KEY OPPORTUNITIES
High car usage in the Aberdeen City Region A programme of Rail Revolution and the A large volume of private car movements combined opening of Kintore Rail Station. with the constrained road network - linked to long / AWPR - combines a bypass for long distance unreliable journey times, particularly in the peak traffic with peripheral, shorter journeys, periods. with aim of removing traffic from city Infrastructure and services need to keep a pace with centre. development growth – where it doesn’t that can City Centre Masterplan - potential to improve lead to oversaturation of the network in constrained the public realm for the benefit of all users areas. and provide quality active travel routes. Poor perception of public transport provision in the Continued sustainable economic growth - Aberdeen City Region – uncompetitive option as a stimulated through both traditional sectors result of long / unreliability of journey times, and diversification. relatively high ticket prices and lack of quality Aberdeen South harbour - has the potential interchanges; to stimulate further growth in the The rail network is currently limited to two main economy, employment and tourism. corridors, which suffer from overcrowding in the High quality of life in the Aberdeen City peak period; further land use development could Region, has the ability to retain and attract add to the pressure on the routes. high skilled individuals. Lack of a wide-spread high quality and fully integrated active travel network, in particular linked cycle routes – leads to a requirement to often cycle on roads, which hampers active travel uptake; Relative remoteness of Aberdeen city centre in relation to key markets in the Central Belt and beyond
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Page 50 3. Key Themes
From the process of identifying both problem and opportunity categories, key themes have been derived that directly reflect each of these elements. A similar process was undertaken from analysis of other relevant policies and strategies. The initial themes developed from the two phase process were then filtered through the identified themes from the other policies to generate a final set of key themes.
This process ensures that the key themes derived as part of the Pre-Appraisal directly reflect the outcomes from the four workstreams, and the development of each theme can be mapped back through each stage to the original set of individual problems and/or opportunities in a clear and transparent manner. The themes are aimed at driving the future direction of objectives by expressing desired outcomes and following the SMART principles:
• Specific: it will say in precise terms what is sought. • Measurable: there will exist means to establish to stakeholders' and decision makers’ satisfaction whether or not the objective has been achieved. • Attainable: there is general agreement that the objective set can be reached. • Relevant: the objective is a sensible indicator or proxy for the change which is sought. • Timed: the objective will be associated with an agreed future point by which it will have been met.
The key themes that have been derived are:
Connections to and integration of core growth areas Seeks to demonstrate that core growth areas are well connected to and integrated with existing land-uses and the transport network. The aim of this is to reduce dependence on the private car.
Maintaining and enhancing the natural & built environment so that the region remains a desirable place to live, work and visit Seeks to demonstrate that the current and future transport system does not negatively impact on the region’s environment, and enhances it where possible.
Increasing travel choices for all Seeks to demonstrate that there are a number of travel choices available for key journeys with a particular focus on making the alternatives to private car more attractive.
Reducing the need to travel Seeks to demonstrate that alternative means are available to provide the region’s residents the ability to fulfil more of their needs / responsibilities without having to travel to do so.
Supporting key sectors and facilitating increased diversification of the region’s economy Seeks to demonstrate that the transport system provides efficient access to key markets.
Creating a safe, resilient and affordable transport system Seeks to demonstrate that the transport system reduces accidents, is able to accommodate unexpected changes and is cost effective to use.
Improving strategic connectivity Seeks to demonstrate that the region is connected to key markets so that it is not relatively disadvantaged compared with other regions.
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Page 51 4. Transport Planning Objectives
The draft interim Transport Planning Objectives (TPOs) derived for this study are focussed on reflecting the identified problems and opportunities, link significantly with the Key Themes and express the outcomes sought for the study. The draft interim TPOs can therefore be traced back through each step of the adopted methodology in a clear and transparent way. This allows their areas of coverage to be demonstrated, and the source of each, to ensure that a robust, evidence based audit trail is demonstrated.
The process followed to derive these draft interim Objectives was as follows
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Page 52 The draft interim TPOs derived for this study are: • TPO 1: Increase access to a sustainable transport system for all, recognising specific needs of disadvantaged and vulnerable users Focus is on alleviating the problems and addressing the opportunities related to access to and the sustainability of the Aberdeen City Region transport system as a whole. The transport system includes the road, rail, and active travel networks and the various services (including bus, rail, taxi and freight) that operate on them. All users are included with particular recognition given to disadvantaged and vulnerable users to both improve access to potential employment and key services, and ultimately their quality of life. • TPO 2: Reduce the business costs of transport for all sectors of the economy to realise the aspirations of the Regional Economic Strategy Focus is on improving the competitiveness of businesses in the region, which is a key aspiration of the Regional Economic Strategy. The objective should be one that promotes the local economy by improving connectivity to the transport network for businesses to efficiently and effectively access key markets. Additionally, a focus will be on addressing key problems such as transport related costs, long journey times and journey time reliability. • TPO 3: Reduce the adverse impacts of transport on public health and the natural and built environment. Focus is on alleviating transport related problems that adversely impact upon the quality of life in the region, including vehicle emissions and accidents, whilst maintaining and enhancing the high quality of the natural and built environment, which is a key factor attracting a skilled workforce and tourism to the region. This will encompass opportunities linked to new technologies and initiatives, such as electric/hydrogen vehicles and Mobility as a Service. • TPO 4: Improve the integration of transport and land use to reduce the need to travel by private car Focus is on addressing problems that act as barriers to linking employment, retail / leisure and residential areas with a sustainable, connected public transport and active travel network, to reduce the need to travel by private car. Additionally, a focus will be on creating a high quality digital network to reduce the need for travel. • TPO 5: Improve the relative competitiveness of public transport compared to the private car Focus is on addressing problems and opportunities in relation to the perception that public transport is not currently a desirable alternative to the private car due to factors including limited public transport network coverage within the region and cross-boundary, unreliable journey times and the low cost of parking availability within the city centre. • TPO 6: Maintain and enhance a safe, resilient and reliable transport network Focus is on addressing problems associated with road safety, particularly vehicle / active travel conflicts, and a lack of alternative routes should incidents occur. It is linked to opportunities concerning continuing road safety initiatives, freight movements and benefits that may be realised by capitalising on future major infrastructure commitments, such as Aberdeen Western Peripheral Route.
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Page 53 5. Next Steps
Developing the Strategies
The Aberdeen City Region Strategic Transport Appraisal – Pre-Appraisal Study sets the context for deriving draft interim objectives. This will be finalised and is against which the future appraisal of all potential interventions to support economic growth in the Aberdeen City Region will be assessed.
In line with Scottish Transport Appraisal Guidance, the study identifies the key transport problems and opportunities within the study area, and these have directly informed the basis for theme identification and draft interim objective setting upon which future options might be appraised.
In looking forward, the key findings of this study will inform: The next National Transport Strategy –application of national objectives at the regional level The next Strategic Transport Projects Review –identifying the Scottish Government’s transport investment priorities The next Nestrans Regional Transport Strategy – providing an evidence base and informing the overall focus and Objectives formation for this strategy The next Aberdeen City and Shire Strategic Development Plan – informing the direction of future development in the area with associated transport requirements and providing context for the local development plans The next Aberdeen City and Aberdeenshire Local Transport Strategies – providing an evidence base and general themes for these strategies
The study also provides the evidence base and draft interim Transport Planning Objectives which will be finalised and against which future interventions will be assessed through the STAG process to include: The likely impacts of the options against the Transport Planning Objectives; The likely impacts of the options against STAG criteria [i.e. Environment, Safety, Economy, Integration, and Accessibility and Social Inclusion]; Options against established policy directives; and Feasibility, affordability and public acceptability of the options.
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Page 54 TPO TPO 1: Increase access to a sustainable transport system for all, recognising specific needs of disadvantaged and vulnerable users
Definition Focus is on alleviating the problems and addressing the opportunities related to access to and the sustainability of the Aberdeen City Region transport system as a whole. The transport system includes the road, rail, and active travel networks and the various services (including bus, rail, taxi and freight) that operate on them. All users are included with particular recognition given to disadvantaged and vulnerable users to both improve access to potential employment and key services, and ultimately their quality of life.
Relevant • Maintaining and enhancing the natural & built environment so that the region remains a desirable place to live, work and visit; Themes • Increasing travel choices for all;
• Creating a safe, resilient and socially inclusive transport system. What’s the Key Problems & Opportunities Evidence Context North East Problem Much of the road network in the Region is currently dominated by car movements, particularly on key routes into At 58% Aberdeen City has a significantly higher car mode share than Edinburgh (32%), Aberdeen (such as A90, A96, A944 and Anderson Drive) and within the City Centre. Car ownership in the region is high, Glasgow (36%) and Dundee (45%), at 70% Aberdeenshire car mode share is higher than all /Opportunity? particularly so for the proportion of households with access to two or more vehicles, and combined with the wide cities and both the Scottish national average (62%) and Scottish Rural Average (63%); geographic area and hence longer average travel distances means car usage remains high. Car availability is significantly higher in Aberdeenshire than all other areas for households Access to and the provision of alternative travel options can be limited, particularly in the rural areas and away from the with two or more cars available, at 34% which is 12% higher than the national average and main radial travel corridors into Aberdeen City Centre, and can make public transport often uncompetitive with private 9% higher than the Scottish Rural Average. Aberdeen City, at 19% also has a high level of car car. As a result, those without access to a car may be more restricted in their potential to access employment and availability which is 5% higher than Edinburgh and Dundee and 9% higher than Glasgow. services. This particularly impacts the more disadvantaged and vulnerable users. Since 2011, total vehicle kilometres in both Aberdeen City and Aberdeenshire has increased
Page 55 Page The duration and unreliability of journey times for bus services in the region (as a result of long travel distances and heavy by 3% and 8% respectively, compared to 5% nationally. traffic volumes on key routes during peak periods), relatively high ticket prices and frequent requirement to travel into the city centre to interchange with other services serve to constrain public transport mode share. Mode share for travel to work by bus is lower than the comparator cities for Aberdeen, which at 12% is 13% lower than Edinburgh, 6% lower than Glasgow and 2% lower than Bus services generally operate on a commercial basis which means that routes that do not make money may be Dundee. The picture is more mixed for Aberdeenshire which, at 4% mode share, is on a par withdrawn. In some cases, Aberdeenshire or Aberdeen City Councils have had to provide funding to support vital services with the Scottish Rural Average but 6% lower than the national average. but significant budget pressures can make this particularly challenging. On average around 50% of postcodes in the region cannot reach any of the top 13 Key transport nodes within the Region are also not all fully mobility compliant, for example Aberdeen Rail Station – whilst employment attractors within the 90-minute period by public transport. access within and immediately around the station are mostly compliant, links from the wider area are often stepped access. This disproportionately impacts particular groups, such as the mobility impaired, further restricting their access to Whilst cycle mode shares across the comparator areas are very similar, walk mode share for Aberdeen City (15%) is 12% lower than Dundee, 10% lower than Edinburgh and 7% lower services, employment and leisure facilities. than Glasgow. Equally the walk mode share for Aberdeenshire (8%) is 4% lower than the Additionally, perceived and real safety concerns as a result of direct conflict between vehicles and active modes of travel Scottish Rural Average and 2% lower than the national average. may serve to limit the uptake of active travel modes on key corridors and within the city centre. 27% of all accidents in 2016 involved a pedestrian or cyclist in the Aberdeen Region. Whilst There are a number of opportunities around access to sustainable travel however; initiatives such as the City Centre over one in four accidents, this is lower than Edinburgh (47%), Glasgow (38%) and across Masterplan, Revolution in Rail, Kintore Station, growing active travel networks and increased government funding for Scotland in general (29%). active travel are likely to assist with this Objective.
Outcomes Successful interventions would be expected to:
• Reduce the impact from the transport system on the region’s environment, and enhances it where possible. The Aberdeen City Centre Masterplan is an example of a mechanism that will set the framework to prioritise bus access, relocate vehicle movements and improve the quality of urban space within the city centre.
• Increase the number of travel choices available for key journeys with a particular focus on making the alternatives to private car more attractive. For example, the Regional and Local policies i.e. the Nestrans Regional Transport Strategy, the Aberdeen City and Shire Strategic Development Plan and the Aberdeen City & Aberdeenshire Local Transport Strategies will promote initiatives around improving accessibility and inclusion, i.e. public transport improvement schemes.
• Increase the number of people using active travel modes, which are either free or low cost and beneficial to health. For example, the Grampian Health and Transport Action Plan which aims to reduce the adverse impacts of transport choices on public health
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TPO TPO 2: Reduce the business costs of transport for all sectors of the economy to realise the aspirations of the Regional Economic Strategy
Definition Focus is on improving the competitiveness of businesses in the region, which is a key aspiration of the City Region Deal. The objective should be one that promotes the local economy by improving connectivity to the transport network for businesses to efficiently and effectively access key markets. Additionally, a focus will be on addressing key problems such as transport related costs, long journey times and journey time reliability. As part of improving effective partnerships across bodies, participation and discussions should involve other key transport links including both air and maritime transport to improve strategic access to both domestic and international markets, and increase the competitiveness of the Aberdeen Region.
Relevant • Connections to and integration of core growth areas; Themes • Supporting key sectors and facilitating increased diversification of the region’s economy;
• Improving strategic connectivity
What’s the Problems & Opportunities Context North East Problem/ Many of the Region’s businesses rely heavily on the movement of materials, manufacturing of goods, The Region has a high performing economy - regional GVA Growth (1997-2015) shows Aberdeen City provision of services and movement of people and goods. The oil industry in particular is reliant on the growth at 107% and Aberdeenshire at 135% compared to City of Edinburgh at 112%, Glasgow City at Opportunity? timely movement of oilfield equipment around the region and to key bases including harbours. 92%, Dundee City at 68% and SRA 87%. Additionally, food processors often need to get their finished goods to market quickly; the area has long supply chains due to distance from the central belt, and geographic spread of settlements. Efficient access Traffic modelling data (ASAM 2017) highlights several links over 75% capacity including on Wellington to clients, to labour and to suppliers internally within the Region and to Scotland and the rest of the UK, is Road, Bridge of Dee, A956 south of Bridge of Don, A90 south of Ellon and A96 through Inverurie. Additionally, modelling highlights several junctions over 85% capacity including Wellington Road, A90 therefore critical to business efficiency and to economic growth in the Region. both north and south approaches to city centre, and A947 both north and south of Dyce Future scenario However, a number of routes on the Region’s road network experience high traffic volumes and runs show this situation to deteriorate approximately in line with development, highlighting a additional delay, particularly key routes in and around Aberdeen (such as A90, A96, A944, A956 requirement for future infrastructure investment. Outputs highlight an average 41% increase in travel Page 56 Page Wellington Road / Market Street and Anderson Drive). Connections to the north (in particular the A90, time from 2017 to 2037 across all three time periods A947 and A96) are constrained by large sections of single carriageway. This results in extended and Traffic counts on key corridors into the city centre highlight that approximately 38% of all traffic unreliable journey times, driver frustration and potential safety issues that impact on business performance. Access to key markets by rail (for the movement of goods and people) is also constrained enters/leaves the city during the combined AM/PM peak periods by a lack of capacity and relatively long journey times. There was an Increase in vehicle KMs in both City and Shire between 2011-2016 of 3% and 8% compared The current lack of a high quality orbital route around Aberdeen means that business movements can be to Scottish national increase of 5% impacted significantly by deteriorating journey time reliability, particularly for movements between areas Less major cities, towns and local rail stations can be reached within a three-hour travel window by rail to the north and south of Aberdeen. Although at different stages of delivery, the Aberdeen Western from the region than Glasgow and Edinburgh; Aberdeen in 3hr window in AM 77 rail stations can be Peripheral Route along with Diamond Bridge, Bridge of Dee improvements and Haudagain junction reached directly or indirectly compared to 382 from Edinburgh and 329 from Glasgow improvements are significant interventions that will contribute to addressing this specific issue. Aberdeen International Airport is the third largest airport within Scotland, providing direct and frequent Much of the Region’s land use planning is focussed on locating transport reliant sectors (i.e. off-shore flights to the rest of the UK and key European locations such as Amsterdam and Scandinavia. supply) close to each other to reduce the amount of travel needed (to benefit from symbiotic Additionally, the airport is the best-connected airport for UK to UK flights, which is a crucial aspect due relationships), and in proximity to key transport interchanges such as the harbour (including the new to the propensity of the airport to be used for business flights. In 2013, 61% of all passengers from South Aberdeen Harbour) and the airport. The presence of an international airport opens up Aberdeen City Airport were business travellers, compared to 30% at Edinburgh Airport and 27% at opportunities to access key markets, indeed the airport has significant business patronage. Glasgow Airport. The growth in passenger numbers has remained fairly static overall since 2011, There are significant opportunities around technology (improved digital connectivity, freight planning and although 2017 has now seen a return to increased passenger numbers. consolidation and transport system optimisation) which is likely to reduce transport costs to businesses. Expected Successful interventions would be expected to: Outcomes • Contribute to core growth areas being well connected to and integrated with existing land-uses and the transport network. The Regional and Local planning and transport policies i.e. the Nestrans Regional Transport Strategy, the Aberdeen City and Shire Strategic Development Plan and the Aberdeen City & Aberdeenshire Local Development Plans and Transport Strategies, will govern and promote effective land-use and transport integrations over the next 15 years.
• Improve the efficiency of the transport system’s access to key markets, i.e. reduce journey times and improve journey time reliability. For example, the Aberdeen Western Peripheral Route will contribute significantly to this as will the Wellington Road Multi-Modal Corridor Study.
• Improve the Region’s competitiveness such that it is not relatively disadvantaged by the transport system compared with other regions due to its peripheral location. For example, the Programme of Rail Revolution and proposals to Dual the A96 by aiming to improve connections to external areas. 3c STA Objectives Page 22
TPO TPO 3: Reduce the adverse impacts of transport on public health and the natural and built environment.
Defini Focus is on alleviating transport related problems that adversely impact upon the quality of life in the region, including vehicle emissions and accidents, whilst maintaining and enhancing the high quality of the tion natural and built environment, which is a key factors in attracting and retaining a skilled workforce and tourism to the region. This will encompass opportunities linked to new technologies and initiatives, such as electric/hydrogen vehicles and Mobility as a Service.
Relevant • Maintaining and enhancing the natural & built environment so that the region remains a desirable place to live, work and visit; Themes • Increasing travel choices for all;
• Reducing the need to travel What’s the Problems & Opportunities Context North East Problem/Opp The Region is well known for its outstanding natural and built environment and this is one of the reasons people choose to live Tourism numbers for the Region have grown year on year and the region is one and visit. However, although it is recognised that if the wider transport network is not performing well this can have a negative of the most visited in the UK. Aberdeen ranked 7th of all places in the UK as a ortunity? impact on the attractiveness of the region. location to have a weekend break (Laterooms 2017). The Region boasts Key areas of the road network, particularly around Aberdeen City Centre (i.e. Market Street, Union Street and King Street) are Europe’s largest whisky trail, over 300 castles / country houses and historic physically constrained, experience high peak period traffic volumes and have relatively high proportions of slow moving heavy ruins, 55 golf courses, one National Park, five snow sports centres, one Royal duty vehicles (such as HGVs and buses). These factors combine to contribute to high concentrations of vehicle emissions Home and over 165 miles of coastline containing some of the best locations for (Nitrogen Dioxide and Particulate Matter) which have necessitated the designation of an Air Quality Management Area around dolphin spotting. the City Centre. Poor air quality impacts negatively on health and wellbeing, and can result in undesirable consequences such At 58% Aberdeen City has a significantly higher car mode share than Edinburgh
Page 57 Page as creating barriers to increasing active travel modes (such as walking and cycling) within the urban environment. (32%), Glasgow (36%) and Dundee (45%), at 70% Aberdeenshire car mode share High traffic volumes within a city centre context can also be detrimental to the retail and service sector performance; the is higher than both the Scottish national average (62%) and Scottish Rural resulting emissions and potential safety concerns can reduce the attractiveness of the urban centres, and discourage people Average (63%). from spending time in these areas. Since 2011, total vehicle kilometres in both Aberdeen City and Aberdeenshire With higher vehicle numbers across many parts of the Region’s road network, and distances travelled increasing above the has increased by 3% and 8% respectively, compared to 5% nationally. national average, Carbon Dioxide emissions from the Region are likely to be contributing negatively towards global climate There is an Air Quality Management Area for Nitrogen Dioxide and Particulate change. Matter (which has a detrimental impact on people and the environment) The declining bus offering (through service withdrawal/reduction through insufficient levels of demand) is limiting the covering parts of Market Street, Union Street, King Street, Virginia Street, opportunities to travel by bus throughout the Region and it is often seen as uncompetitive when compared to the private car. Commerce Street, Guild Street, Bridge Street, Holdburn Street, Victoria Road, Torry, West North Street, Wellington Road and Anderson Drive/Auchmill Road. There are however a number of opportunities to reduce the environmental impact of vehicles including the uptake of lower or zero emission (e.g. electric and hydrogen) vehicles, the introduction of targeted demand management in selected areas (i.e. A number of new housing allocations located in the south are located along the AQMAs) and land use planning with a focus on reducing the need to travel, improving the coverage and quality of the A90 corridor that could increase north/south travel on this route, which the sustainable travel network, using technology to more efficiently plan travel (e.g. MaaS) and digital connectivity to reduce the ASAM 2017 model outputs indicate has several links above 85% capacity. need to travel. The investment in rail (e.g. Revolution in Rail, and Kintore Station) presents an opportunity for increase share of Analysis of proposed Local Development Plan land-use allocations over time more sustainable transport modes. compared with the current public transport network shows a number of these areas are likely to have a relatively sparse route coverage and service frequency.
Expected Successful interventions would be expected to: Outcomes • Reduce the impact from the transport system on the Region’s environment, and enhance it where possible. For example, the Aberdeen Air Quality Action Plan aims to improve local air quality through a range of targeted interventions. • Increase the number of travel choices available for key journeys with a particular focus on making the alternatives to private car more attractive. For example, Regional and Local policies i.e. the Nestrans Regional Transport Strategy, the Aberdeen City and Shire Strategic Development Plan and the Aberdeen City & Aberdeenshire Local Transport Strategies, will promote initiatives around improving accessibility, i.e. public transport improvement schemes, over the next 15 years. • Reduce the need to travel such that alternative means are available to provide the region’s residents the ability to fulfil more of their needs / responsibilities. For example, one of the six key project areas for the Aberdeen City Region Deal is improving Digital Infrastructure which will make home working easier.
3c STA Objectives Page 23
TPO TPO 4: Improve the integration of transport and land use to reduce the need to travel by private car
Definition Focus is on addressing problems that act as barriers to linking employment, retail / leisure and residential areas with a sustainable, connected public transport and active travel network to reduce the need to travel by private car. Additionally, a focus will be on creating a high quality digital network to reduce the need for travel.
Relevant Themes • Connections to and integration of core growth areas;
• Maintaining and enhancing the natural & built environment so that the region remains a desirable place to live, work and visit;
• Reducing the need to travel;
• Supporting key sectors and facilitating increased diversification of the region’s economy
What’s the North East Problems & Opportunities Context Problem/ Whilst Aberdeen is the third largest city in Scotland, the Region is predominately rural in nature At 58% Aberdeen City has a significantly higher car mode share than Edinburgh (32%), Glasgow (36%) and Opportunity? (covering an area in excess of 6,300km2). With Aberdeenshire’s largest town, Peterhead, being Dundee (45%), at 70% Aberdeenshire car mode share is higher than both the Scottish national average (62%) less than 1/10th the population of Aberdeen, the city provides the majority of employment and and Scottish Rural Average (63%). services in the Region. Subsequently there is a significant draw to the eastern part of the region, and higher than average travel distances to work for Aberdeenshire residents (almost half travel Car availability is significantly higher in Aberdeenshire at 34% than all other areas for households with two or more cars available, which is 12% higher than the national average and 9% higher than the Scottish Rural further than 10km to work). Average. Aberdeen City, at 19% also has a relatively high level of car availability and is 5% higher than Car ownership across the Region is high, particularly the proportion of households with access to Edinburgh and Dundee and 9% higher than Glasgow. Page 58 Page two or more vehicles in Aberdeenshire. With travel distances in Aberdeenshire also being relatively long, and public transport often being seen as an uncompetitive mode of travel, this The increase in vehicle KMs travelled in Aberdeen City and Aberdeenshire is 3% and 8% respectively between 2011 and 2016, compared to Scottish national increase of 5%. results in high levels of car use. Car usage within Aberdeen City is also high, despite the fact that journey to work distances are generally lower than the national average (the majority of On average around 50% of postcodes in the region cannot reach any of the top 13 employment attractors journeys (80%) are under 10km in length). within the 90-minute period by public transport. Aberdeenshire areas which are identified as SIMD 20% The longer travel distances and the geographic spread of the population make it more difficult to most deprived currently have no direct bus to Aberdeen City Centre. provide economically sustainable public transport to all areas of the Region. This also presents a Local Development Plan allocations compared with the existing public transport network shows that there challenge in encouraging greater use of active travel models. Current levels of access to digital would continue to be a lack of provision to provide alternatives to the private car. Additionally, a number of networks, i.e. mobile or broadband, vary significantly throughout the Region. Where levels of new housing allocations located in the south are located along the A90 corridor that could increase access are poor, this limits individual’s ability to work from home. north/south travel on this route, which ASAM 2017 model outputs indicate has several links above 85% However, there is a clear link to increasing the level of integration of transport and land-use to capacity. facilitate reductions in the need to travel and increased modal choice / change. Locating multi- Lower levels of existing access to Ultrafast Broadband (speeds in excess of 100 mbps) within Aberdeen City modal (bus, rail and active travel) interchanges at key catchments nodes to allow travel for at representing 0.4% of the population and Aberdeenshire at 0.3% of the population, compared to Scottish least part of a journey by modes other than car, and removing the need to travel completely national average of 43%, with only 63.5% of the Aberdeenshire population having access to 4G services. through increased digital connectivity represent further opportunities. Expected Outcomes Successful interventions would be expected to:
• Contribute to core growth areas being well connected to and integrated with existing land-uses and the transport network. For example, the Regional and Local policies i.e. the Nestrans Regional Transport Strategy, the Aberdeen City and Shire Strategic Development Plan and the Aberdeen City & Aberdeenshire Local Transport Strategies will govern and promote measures to maximise integration, connectivity and accessibility. • Reduce the impact from the transport system on the region’s environment, and enhance it where possible. For example, the Aberdeen Air Quality Action Plan aims to improve local air quality through a range of targeted interventions such as traffic management (e.g. Intelligent Traffic Systems) and modal shift initiatives (e.g. active travel infrastructure and education programmes). • Increase the number of travel choices available for key journeys with a particular focus on making the alternatives to private car more attractive. For example, the Nestrans Bus Action plan which outlines a series of measures to improve bus services across the region. • Improve the efficiency of the transport system’s access to key markets, i.e. reduce journey times and improve journey time reliability. For example, the Aberdeen City and Shire Strategic Development Plan and the Aberdeen City & Aberdeenshire Local Development Plans which aim to promote mixed use and linked development where possible to reduce travel or travel distances.
3c STA Objectives Page 24
TPO TPO 5: Improve the relative competitiveness of public transport compared to the private car
Definition Focus is on addressing problems and opportunities with regards to the perception that public transport is not currently a desirable alternative to the private car due to factors such as limited public transport network coverage within the region and cross-boundary, unreliable journey times and the low cost of parking availability within the city centre.
Relevant • Connections to and integration of core growth areas; Themes • Maintaining and enhancing the natural & built environment so that the region remains a desirable place to live, work and visit;
• Increasing travel choices for all;
• Creating a safe, resilient and socially inclusive transport system What’s the Problems & Opportunities Context North East Due to the rural nature of the Region and the geographic spread of the population, it is challenging to provide an extensive and inclusive Aberdeen City Bus mode share at 12%, is relatively low compared to Edinburgh Problem/ public transport network. Bus service provision operates within a deregulated market such that most services require to operate at a profit. (25%), Glasgow (18%) and Dundee (14%). Aberdeenshire at 4%, is 6% lower than the Opportunity? Whilst socially necessary services are supported by Aberdeen City and Aberdeenshire Councils, funding for these services continues to come Scottish national average, although this is at a similar level to the Scottish Rural under severe pressure. average.
Bus service provision in the Region is therefore typically focused on the radial corridors that link the other main population centres with Bus passengers are often required to complete one or more interchanges in order to Aberdeen City (i.e. A90 (north and south of Aberdeen), A96, A944 and A93). Out with these corridors, and further from the outskirts of reach their destinations. In some cases, a journey that could be completed by car in Aberdeen, bus service provision reduces markedly along with population density. Even along strategic corridors and within the City, services 15 minutes can take over 70 minutes by bus. have seen a gradual reduction particularly the late night and weekend services, and results in impacts on improving social inclusion. On average around 50% of postcodes in the region cannot reach any of the top 13 Journeys to destinations out with Aberdeen and peripheral areas of the City often must first travel into the city centre to interchange and then employment attractors within a 90-minute period by public transport. Page 59 Page travel back to the intended destination, which is a disincentive to many potential bus users. Bus mode share is relatively low, with season Aberdeenshire areas which are identified in the SIMD 20% most deprived currently ticket prices generally high and journey time reliability impacted during the peak periods. This can result in a perception that the service have no direct bus to Aberdeen City Centre. provision and quality is low, reducing the attractiveness of public transport as an alternative to the private car. This is exacerbated by the prevalence of low cost daily parking within Aberdeen City Centre. A season pass on the bus network in Aberdeen City is £160 more expensive than a season pass for Dundee City, and £130 more expensive than a season pass in The rail network coverage is focused on two corridors to the north west and south of Aberdeen. Patronage along these two corridors however Glasgow. A season ticket for Edinburgh is £5 more expensive. exhibits strong growth and services suffer overcrowding particularly during the peak periods. Cost of all day parking in city is often cheaper than return rail travel, with the There are proposals to reopen Kintore Station, studies ongoing to investigate extending the rail network north to Ellon, and the Programme of average price of a 9-hour stay being approximately £11. This compares with an average for Edinburgh of £19.30 and for Glasgow of £21.04. Rail Revolution to introduce new and extended service provision will allow further opportunities for growth. The eight rail stations in the region show significant levels of growth in boardings There is significant potential for collaboration between the public sector and bus operators to successfully drive an improved perception of between 2010 and 2016; Aberdeen 17% (+495,642); Inverurie 54% (+188,182), Dyce public transport and an increase in overall public transport mode share across the Region. Use of technology to efficiently manage on demand 15% (+84,736), Stonehaven 11% (+52,976), Portlethen 206% (+37,942), Insch 36% bus service provision, infrastructure investment to provide bus priority on congested corridors, high quality and mobility compliant park and (31,524), Laurencekirk 42% (+30,942), Huntly 18% (+15,836) choose schemes and city centre parking restraint will all contribute to increasing public transport competitiveness.
Expected Successful interventions would be expected to: Outcomes • Contribute to core growth areas being well connected to and integrated with existing land-uses and the transport network. The Regional and Local planning and transport policies i.e. the Nestrans Regional Transport Strategy, the Aberdeen City and Shire Strategic Development Plan and the Aberdeen City & Aberdeenshire Local Development Plans and Transport Strategies, will govern and promote effective land-use and transport integration over the next 15 years.
• Reduce the impact from the transport system on the Region’s environment, and enhance it where possible. The Aberdeen City Centre Masterplan is an example of a mechanism that will set the framework to prioritise bus access, relocate vehicle movements and improve the quality of urban space within the city centre.
• Increase the number of travel choices available for key journeys with a particular focus on making the alternatives to private car more attractive. For example, the Regional and Local policies i.e. the Nestrans Regional Transport Strategy, the Aberdeen City and Shire Strategic Development Plan and the Aberdeen City & Aberdeenshire Local Transport Strategies will promote initiatives around improving accessibility and inclusion, i.e. public transport improvement schemes.
• Reduce the number of accidents, enable the transport system to better accommodate unexpected changes and be cost effective to use. For example, the Fraserburgh – Peterhead to Aberdeen Transport Corridor Study which proposes a variety of road safety improvements along with Bus Priority Infrastructure which would reduce bus / vehicle conflicts.
3c STA Objectives Page 25
TPO TPO 6: Maintain and enhance a safe, resilient and reliable transport network
Definition Focus is on addressing problems associated with road safety, particularly vehicle / active travel conflicts, and a lack of alternative routes should incidents occur. It is linked to opportunities concerning continuing road safety initiatives, freight movements and benefits that may be realised by capitalising on future major infrastructure commitments, such as Aberdeen Western Peripheral Route.
Relevant Themes • Supporting key sectors and facilitating increased diversification of the region’s economy;
• Creating a safe, resilient and socially inclusive transport system;
• Improving strategic connectivity
What’s the North East Problems & Opportunities Context Problem/Opportunity? The Region has a diverse road network with a combination of lightly trafficked rural routes, heavily trafficked semi- Model outputs from ASAM 2017 highlights several links over 75% capacity including on urban routes, particularly key routes into and around Aberdeen (such as A90, A96, A944 and Anderson Drive) and Wellington Road, Bridge of Dee, A956 south of Bridge of Don, A90 south of Ellon and A96 heavily trafficked urban routes. North / south traffic currently requires to route either through the city centre or in through Inverurie. Several junctions over 85% capacity including Wellington Road, A90 close proximity to it. This causes issues with longer journey times that are impacted by reduced journey time both north and south approaches to city centre, A947 both north and south of Dyce reliability, which is further exacerbated when incidents occur with the subsequent disruption of the network’s operation. Accidents can have disproportionate impact on road network, due to many routes operating beyond Increases in vehicle KMs in both City and Shire between 2011-2016 of 3% and 8% capacity at peak times. respectively, Scottish national increase is 5%. Traffic modelling has shown this trend to continue through future years. With many of the routes connecting Aberdeen to the rest of the Region being of single carriageway standard, and Page 60 Page The A90 accounted for 9% of all accidents in the region between 2011-2016, and the A96 reliant on a limited number of river crossings particularly in Aberdeen, the network is less resilient in terms of coping with accidents or planned maintenance. Many of the Region’s businesses rely heavily on the efficient, reliable from Anderson Drive to the north LA boundary accounts for 4% of all accidents. 76% of distribution of materials and equipment around the Region, to the rest of Scotland and the UK, some of which are fatal accidents between 2011-2016 happened in rural locations, compared to 58% nationally. 51% of all accidents took place on roads where the speed limit is greater than time dependant. In addition, a safe and resilient transport network is essential to business efficiency and economic growth in the Region, with the Aberdeen Western Peripheral Route and other recently or near completed 50mph, compared to 19% nationally. infrastructure making significant contributions to improving the operational efficiency and resilience of the road Approximately a quarter of all accidents in the region (2016) involved a pedestrian or network. cyclist - concerns about vehicle and pedestrian / cyclist accidents are a potential contributing factor in the limited uptake of active travel in particular. As a trend, road safety continues to improve across the Region although there are areas that continue to account for a disproportionate number of accidents, particularly fatal accidents in rural parts and on high speed routes. There are only 2 recognised Lorry parking facilities/service stations in the area, A96 at Cairnie and A90 at Fordoun which makes rest stops difficult to undertake without prior In terms of rail, there are also issues with overcrowding on peak rail services. This is due to strong growth in patronage in the Region, partly due to growth in housing particularly in Inverurie and Insch. This is likely to be planning. exacerbated by further development on / near rail corridors. The AWPR is expected to improve freight links, reduce the time to market for goods and The Rail Revolution proposals will help mitigate against further capacity issues and encourage increased rail mode to reduce accidents due to the high quality route and modern design standards. share, although the network will still have sections of single track that may affect network resilience. The eight rail stations in the region show significant levels of growth in boardings between 2010 and 2016; Aberdeen 17% (+495,642); Inverurie 54% (+188,182), Dyce 15% (+84,736), Stonehaven 11% (+52,976), Portlethen 206% (+37,942), Insch 36% (31,524), Laurencekirk 42% (+30,942), Huntly 18% (+15,836) Expected Outcomes Successful interventions would be expected to: • Improve the efficiency of the transport system’s access to key markets, i.e. reduce journey times and improve journey time reliability. For example, the Aberdeen Western Peripheral Route is an intervention that seeks to reduce journey times and improve reliability. • Reduce the number of accidents, enable the transport system to better accommodate unexpected changes and be cost effective to use. For example, the North East Scotland Road Casualty Reduction Strategy is a specifically targeted strategy that will contribute to the continuing drive to reduce the number of fatal and serious accidents in the Region. • Improve the Region’s competitiveness such that it is not relatively disadvantaged by the transport system compared with other regions due to its peripheral location. For example, the Programme of Rail Revolution and proposals to Dual the A96 by aiming to improve connections to external areas.
3c STA Objectives Page 26
Appendix 3 Findings from Elected Members Workshop – 1 June 2018
Subject Notes from Elected Members Workshop on 1 June 2018
Client Various Date 4 June 2018
Project Aberdeen City Region - Strategic Transport Appraisal
Project No. B2289FAT File Notes from Members Workshop_010618
Prepared by Stuart Turnbull Phone No. 0131 659 1603
Notes Action
1 Problems and Opportunities
General consensus that problems and opportunities have been captured. Specific comments/points to consider are:
Undertake a general review of the A3 Objective 1. Highlight problems and importance of Sheets to strengthen the points raised below. connectivity between the region and the rest Amend the description of the key problems and of Scotland and the UK. opportunities as follows:
2. Emphasise that a key issue for public Add a new key problem related with the need transport is that it is very often to ensure that the region’s connections to the Central Belt and rest of the UK are enhanced uncompetitive when compared to the car
Under the problem related to perception of 3. Interchange is a blocker, particular given public transport, highlight specific issues the radial nature of the services to and from around competitiveness/interchange Aberdeen City Centre In the opportunities, make reference to 4. Highlight the lack of existing quality active opportunities for improving active travel routes travel routes and emphasise the future linked to the City Centre masterplan opportunities associated with this. Review key problems and opportunities and identify if this would aid the table without losing 5. Highlight the importance of public transport a key problem or opportunity. in relation to providing access to jobs
6. Consider a “read-across” between the top key problems and equivalent or related opportunities.
3c STA Objectives Page 27
Page 61 Notes Action
2 Objectives
Members were keen to understand the next steps and how the objectives will be used to develop the future transport strategy for the
region.
Undertake a general review of the A3 Objective General consensus that the overall themes of Sheets to strengthen the points raised below. the objectives cover the pertinent issues. Some Amend the wording of the draft objectives as specific comments on the wording and the follows: rationale behind the objectives was suggested:
Add reference to improving connectivity within 1. Consider including reference to the need for TPO2 improved connectivity within one of the
objectives. Reinstate the word “business” before costs in TPO2. Consider whether “costs” is the correct 2. Be more specific around TPO2, to clarify wording, or whether this should relate to which “costs” are referred to Journey Times
3. Emphasise the need for competitive public Already covered in TPO5 but highlight need for transport within one of the objectives improved interchange, and addressing non- radial movements in the TPO description
4. Review the language in TPO1 in relation to Add reference “for all” in the first part of TPO1 “disadvantaged” and “vulnerable”
Review TPO3 and consider if “Public Health” 5. Need to recognise the links to public health should be specifically worded in the objective.
6. Opportunities for recognising the potential No change to objectives but reflect for future technologies could be reflected in opportunities for technology in the text explaining the context for various TPOs (eg the objectives digital connectivity, EVs and Hydrogen Vehicles, MaaS) 7. Clarify where freight issues and opportunities relate to the objectives, and No change to objectives but reflect strengthen links in the analysis process. opportunities for freight initiatives in the text explaining the context for various TPOs 3 Other Issues Consider engaging with young women/families No action for this commission. To be to understand particular needs of this considered further by the Project Group demographic group.
3c STA Objectives Page 28
Page 62 Notes Action
4 Next Steps
Jacobs to update the Interim Report for 7 June. Aim to circulate updated draft for comments by Report will be finalised after the round of noon on Wed 6th June. Committee Meetings being held in during w/c 18 June.
In the meantime, Jacobs to update the full report Aim to have updated full report available for to take account of the feedback from the Client initial review by 22nd June. Group and the Members workshop
Stuart Turnbull Director of Operations 0131 659 1603 [email protected]
3c STA Objectives Page 29
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Page 64 Agenda Item 3d
NORTH EAST SCOTLAND TRANSPORT PARTNERSHIP – 20 June 2018
3d Annual Monitoring Report
Purpose of Report
The purpose of this report is to provide members with an Annual Monitoring Report in support of the Regional Transport Strategy.
Background
This Monitoring Report provides information and background data to support the development of the Regional Transport Strategy (RTS), first produced in 2008 and a refresh as approved by Scottish Ministers in 2014. This is the tenth annual monitoring report and provides information against a total of 48 monitored indicators of which 38 have targets set against them (a total of 45 targets).
This monitoring report is designed to show progress against the objectives of the RTS which is delivered by Nestrans and its partners. It should be noted that it may take many years for the strategy to decisively influence most indicators, but it is Nestrans’ intention to maintain regular monitoring of its targets and indicators. Nestrans itself may have limited influence over delivery against some of the indicators however as the delivery of the RTS as a whole relies on the work of many partners, it is important to understand the wider progress and trends across the region.
This report seeks to provide information and consider appropriate indicators for taking the RTS forward. In particular, it contains SMART (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Realistic and Time- Bound) targets to be refined as part of the Delivery Plan. Targets, where possible, relate back to the strategy’s identified objectives and therefore the indicators too relate to objectives and the strategy’s 21 strands.
Summary of results
In the 2018 monitoring report, of the indicators for which indicative targets have been identified, using the most up-to-date data available the following results can be summarised (it should be noted that some indicators have more than one target):
2017 2018 Indicators on target 21 19 Indicators with some success 14 15 Indicators moving in the wrong direction 8 11 Indicators with no data available or target set 11 10
The full 2018 Monitoring Report is attached as an Appendix to this report.
Some key results
The monitoring report contains a lot of information within its tables and graphs however some key points to note are: • Rail patronage (Indicator 3) has continued to see an overall decrease in patronage through North East stations. Whilst all stations have seen a decrease between 2015/16 and 2016/17, the majority of stations are still significantly higher than their 2010/11 3c Monitoring Report
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baseline, with Inverurie seeing a 48% increase since 2010/11, Laurencekirk seeing a 30% increase since 2010/11 and Portlethen seeing a 150% increase in the same time period. • Traffic (indicator 5) has been slowly increasing since 2013, up to around 4.3 billion vehicle kilometres. This is primarily due to growth in traffic in Aberdeenshire, as Aberdeen City has continued to remain fairly static since 2005; • The number of passengers through Aberdeen Airport (Indicator 9) was 3.09 million in 2017. This is a reduction from its peak of 3.7 million in 2014 but is also the first year there has been an increase in passenger numbers since 2014. Aberdeen International Airport provides links to 45 airports in 18 countries. The number of unique destinations has had an overall decrease in the last year although new destinations have also been added; • Passengers using Northern Isles ferry services through Aberdeen Harbour (Indicator 14) decreased from 156,000 in 2015 to 139,000 in 2016. Despite this, Aberdeen-Lerwick is still showing an overall increase of 15% from the 2007 baseline. Aberdeen-Kirkwall is showing a decrease of 14% from the baseline; • The volume of freight through Peterhead and Aberdeen Harbours (Indicator 15) has seen a decrease between 2015 and 2016 and now sits at 4.9 million Tonnes. The two ports carry around 7.4% of Scotland’s maritime freight. This proportion has risen from a base of 5.0% in 2005; • Restrictions affecting trunk roads in the region (Indicator 19) has been reduced by the opening of the Inveramsay Bridge on the A96 in March 2016. When it opens in autumn 2018, the AWPR will ensure an unrestricted route for HGVs on trunk routes; • The number of coach services to and from the region (Indicator 21) has increased between 2007 and 2017. There are now 464 direct coach services per week to key destinations. There have been significant increases in the number of journeys to English destinations, although there has been a drop in the number of services to Scottish destinations between 2016 and 2017; • There were over 26.5 million bus journeys made (Indicator 22) in the north east in 2017/18. Both concessions and paying customers has seen a decrease over the last 12 months, with a reduction of 11.2% on the 2016/17 figures; • The relative cost of parking to bus fares remains static (Indicator 26) with a day bus ticket in Aberdeen costing approximately 1.8 times the price of 2 hours car parking; • The number of cyclists on key routes in Aberdeen (Indicator 30) is increasing. Aberdeen has seen an over 40% increase between 2008 and 2018. In Aberdeenshire (Indicator 31) the number of cyclists has decreased on the majority of routes between 2016/17 and 2017/18. However, due to the recent installation of a number of new count sites, future monitoring will be required in order to establish a reliable trend; • Journeys to work (Indicator 35) by modes other than car driver has shown an overall decrease in 2016, largely due to a fluctuation in the numbers for Aberdeenshire. Due to the low numbers of local survey respondents used in the national survey, it cannot be concluded at this stage whether this is an anomaly in the results or a change in trend. Aberdeen City remains stable in the number of people using modes other than car driver. In 2016, 53% of residents drove to work, lower than the national average of 62%; • Mode split on the travel to school (Indicator 36) shows just over 50% of children walking, cycling or scootering. Although numbers walking have reduced since 2003, cycling is increasing in both Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire schools with an increase from 1% in 2003/04 to 4% in 2016;
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• The numbers participating in carshare schemes (Indicator 37) and the car club (Indicator 38) are increasing, with over 3,000 registered car sharers and 1,800 car club registrations, both at their highest ever levels; • Congestion (Indicator 39) shows that 18% of journeys in the north east are affected by delays, and journey times (Indicator 40) also show an increase, particularly for bus journeys; • Number of injuries in road traffic collisions in the north east (Indicator 42) has seen a further reduction with total number of casualties in 2016 53% lower than in 2005, and the lowest ever recorded. This is particularly due to a steady decrease in slight accidents since 2013; • Number of fatalities in road traffic collisions in the north east (Indicator 43) has seen an overall reduction and the five-year average for 2011-15 is continuing to be at the lowest level recorded; • Per capita Carbon Dioxide emissions from transport (Indicator 44) have seen a 15% reduction across the north east between 2005 and 2015;
• The number of Electric Vehicle charging points (Indicator 45a) and the number of Electric Cars (Indicator 45b) have seen significant growth, with 77 chargers and almost 700 vehicles across the north east; • Indicators 46 and 47 relate to air quality and show reducing average concentrations of nitrogen dioxide and particulates. 2016 levels of Nitrogen Dioxide in Union Street and Market Street show improvements and are either achieving or close to achieving European-defined maximum levels, whilst Wellington Road shows an increase for the first time since 2012. All locations have seen a marked decrease in particulate levels in 2016 and all are within target of the European-defined maximum level.
Recommendation
It is recommended that the Board:
a) Note the contents of this report and the trends emerging against many of the RTS targets; b) Approve the Nestrans Monitoring report 2018, which will be uploaded to the Nestrans’ website.
NL/RD 11 June 2018
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Regional Transport Strategy Monitoring Report
June 2018
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1. Introduction
This Monitoring Report provides information and background data to support the development of the Regional Transport Strategy (RTS), first produced in 2008 and a refresh as approved by Scottish Ministers in 2014. This is the tenth annual monitoring report and provides information against a total of 48 monitored indicators of which 38 have targets set against them, with a total of 45 targets.
This monitoring report is designed to show progress against the objectives of the RTS which is delivered by Nestrans and its partners. It should be noted that it may take many years for the strategy to decisively influence most indicators, but it is Nestrans’ intention to maintain regular monitoring of its targets and indicators. Nestrans itself may have limited influence over delivery against some of the indicators however as the delivery of the RTS as a whole relies on the work of many partners, it is important to understand the wider progress and trends across the region.
This report seeks to provide information and consider appropriate indicators for taking the RTS forward. In particular, it contains SMART (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Realistic and Time-Bound) targets to be refined as part of the Delivery Plan. Targets, where possible, relate back to the strategy’s identified objectives and therefore the indicators too relate to objectives and the strategy’s 21 strands.
The objectives of the Regional Transport Strategy are as follows:
Economy To enhance and exploit the north east’s competitive economic advantages, and reduce the impacts of peripherality. a) To make the movement of goods and people within the north east and to/from the area more efficient and reliable. 1 b) To improve the range and quality of transport to/from the north east to key business destinations. c) To improve connectivity within the north east, particularly between residential and employment areas.
Monitored by indicators:
1a 1b 2a 2b 3 4 7 8 9 10 11 13a 13b 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 41
Nestrans Regional Transport Strategy 3 Monitoring Report 2018 Page 71
Accessibility, Safety and Social Inclusion
To enhance choice, accessibility and safety of transport for all in the north east, particularly for disadvantaged and vulnerable members of society and those living in areas where transport options are limited. a) To enhance travel opportunities and achieve sustained cost and quality 2 advantages for public transport relative to the car. b) To reduce the number and severity of traffic related casualties and improve personal safety and security for all users of transport. c) To achieve increased use of active travel and improve air quality as part of wider strategies to improve the health of north east residents.
Monitored by indicators:
2a 2b 22 26 27 32 33 34 38 40a 40b 41 42 43
Environment 3 To conserve and enhance the north east’s natural and built environment and heritage and reduce the effects of transport on climate, noise and air quality. a) To reduce the proportion of journeys made by cars and especially by single occupancy cars. b) To reduce the environmental impacts of transport, in line with national targets. c) To reduce growth in vehicle kilometres travelled.
Monitored by indicators:
3 5 6 22 30 31 35 36 37 39 41 44 45a 45b 46 47
Spatial Planning 4 To support transport integration and a strong, vibrant and dynamic city centre and town centres across the north east. a) To improve connectivity to and within Aberdeen City and Aberdeenshire towns, especially by public transport, walking and cycling. b) To encourage integration of transport and spatial planning and improve connections between transport modes and services. c) To enhance public transport opportunities and reduce barriers to use across the north east, especially rural areas. d) To ensure that all new developments and transport infrastructure improvements give consideration to and make provisions for pedestrians and cyclists as an integral part of the design process.
Monitored by indicators:
1a 1b 3 23 24 25a 25b 28a 28b 29 39 41
Nestrans Regional Transport Strategy 4 Monitoring Report 2018 Page 72
An indication of which indicators are moving in the right direction is provided by using a colour coding scheme, whereby indicators on-target are indicated in green highlight and underlined, those which have some degree of success (perhaps some parts are being achieved or some improvement, but not as great as targeted) are highlighted in yellow and are in italics, those which indicate a move in the wrong direction are highlighted in red and in bold and those with no data or no significant change are highlighted in grey; those with no target are not highlighted.
In the 2018 monitoring report, there are 48 indicators identified 38 have at least one target set against them. Using the most up-to-date data available, the following results can be summarised:
2017 2018 Indicators on target 21 19 Indicators with some success 14 15 Indicators moving in the wrong direction 8 11 Indicators with no data available or target set 11 10
It should be noted that although this report is published on an annual basis, it uses the most recent data available from the variety of different sources used to compile this report, of which the two key publications are the ‘Scottish Transport Statistics’ (published annually in December) and the ‘Scottish Household Survey’ (published every second year in August). As these publications are produced at different times, the most recent annual results for all indicators do not always show the same year. Caution should therefore be taken when comparing different indicators with each other as sources and years may vary.
This report provides data regarding measurable indicators under each of the strategy’s four strategic objectives and twelve operational objectives. The objectives have been developed from the National Transport Strategy’s five high level objectives of Economic growth, Accessibility, Safety, Environmental Sustainability and Integration and relate to its strategic outcomes. It also reflects the Government’s Purpose and outcomes and correlates to the local authority and Community Planning Partnerships’ outcomes. The report also identifies where there are gaps in the information available and considers where there may be a need to ensure that measurements are undertaken to inform transport operators and authorities of the success of interventions in the system.
There are a number of indicators for which it is not appropriate to establish targets, but the indicators will be monitored to provide an understanding of the changing nature of transport in the area.
Nestrans will work closely with local authorities in seeking to ensure that the indicators, targets and monitoring regimes to support Local Transport Strategies are consistent with the RTS and that there is no duplication of effort in producing data.
Nestrans Regional Transport Strategy 5 Monitoring Report 2018 Page 73
2. Index of Indicators
Target 2018 Rail 1 Number of rail stations in the North East and population with Some success access to a station Some success 2 Number of rail services per week (with typical journey times) Some success from Aberdeen to key destinations. Wrong direction 3 Number of passengers per year through north east stations Some success 4 Number of passengers per year through north east stations Wrong direction and proportion of all Scotland’s rail patronage Road 5 Distance travelled by vehicles in the north east Wrong direction 6 Growth in vehicle kilometres travelled in the north east in the On target preceding decade 7 Traffic in north east as a percentage of Scotland’s traffic No target set 8 Composition of motorised traffic on north east roads No target set Air 9 Number of passengers through Aberdeen Airport Some success 10 Proportion of Scotland’s air passengers using Aberdeen Wrong direction Airport 11 The number of destinations served direct from Aberdeen Some success Airport 12 Proportion of passengers through Aberdeen Airport using bus On target / rail Maritime 13 Number of ferry services from north east ports (with typical On target journey times) On target 14 Number of passengers carried on ferry services to the Some success Northern Isles Freight 15 The volume of goods through the north east’s major ports Wrong direction 16 Number of countries with shipping services from north east Wrong direction ports 17 The volume of goods to or from the region carried by air No target set freight 18 The volume of goods to or from the north east carried by No target set Heavy Goods Vehicle 19 Number of permanent restrictions affecting trunk routes in or On target to/from the north east 20 The volume of goods to or from the region carried by rail No target set freight Coach 21 Number of coach services per week from the north east direct On target to key locations Bus 22 The number of people using buses in the north east Wrong direction
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23 The percentage of north east residents who find public On target transport convenient 24 The percentage of north east residents who were satisfied On target with public transport 25 Punctuality and reliability of buses Some success Some success 26 The price of car parking in Aberdeen city centre relative to Some success bus fares 27 The cost of a monthly bus ticket in Aberdeen compared with No target set other Scottish cities 28 The number of people using park and ride sites in the north On target east Wrong direction 29 The ability to transfer from one transport company to another On target with minimum hassle and using a single ticket Cycling and Walking 30 Total number of cyclists recorded on key routes – Aberdeen On target City 31 Total number of cyclists recorded on key routes – Wrong direction Aberdeenshire Mode Split and Personal Travel 32 The proportion of households in the north east without access No target set to a car or van 33 The number of blue badge holders in the north east No target set 34 The proportion of taxis which are capable of carrying On target wheelchairs 35 The proportion of travel to work journeys by modes other than Wrong direction car driver 36 The proportion of children travelling actively to school Some success 37 Number of participants in the Getabout car share scheme On target 38 Number of car club members On target Journey Times and Congestion 39 The percentage of driver journeys delayed due to congestion Some success 40 Average journey speeds by car and public transport Some success Wrong direction 41 Typical journey times by road to and from Aberdeen city No target set centre Road safety 42 The number of casualties in road traffic collisions On target 43 The number of deaths in road traffic collisions On target Environment 44 Carbon Dioxide emissions road transport Some success 45 The number of public EV points available in the north east On target On target 46 The average atmospheric concentrations of nitrogen dioxide Some success 47 The average atmospheric concentrations of particulates On target 48 The number of Noise Management Areas Trend yet to be established
Nestrans Regional Transport Strategy 7 Monitoring Report 2018 Page 75
3. Population
The population of the Nestrans area at the time of the 2011 Census was 475,766 – an increase of 36,770 since 2001 (a rise of 8.4% in ten years). Table 1 shows the estimated population, number of households and area of the region at 2016. The Nestrans area and the population of the region are around 9% of the total for Scotland.
Table 1: Population, Households and Area, June 2016
Population Number of Area (sq km) Area households (sq miles) Aberdeen City 229,840 106,749 186 72 Aberdeenshire 247,001 110,296 6,313 2,437 North East 476,841 221,045 6,499 2.509 SCOTLAND 5,404,700 2,451,869 77,925 30,087 NE as % of 8.8% 9.0% 8.3% 8.3% Scotland Source: Scotland’s Census, National Records of Scotland, Council Population Estimates
4. Rail
There are currently eight railway stations in the north east. This increased from seven with the opening of Laurencekirk station in May 2009. Progress is being made towards the opening of a new station at Kintore and this project is now being developed in partnership by Nestrans, Aberdeenshire Council, Transport Scotland and Network Rail. Planning applications have been submitted, funding secured and construction is anticipated during 2019.
Indicator 1 provides an estimate of the population within walking distance (1.6 kilometres) of a railway station and within 5 kilometres. With developments focussed on having good accessibility and opening of additional stations, it is the intention that these proportions will increase over time.
Indicator 1 : Number of rail stations in the North East and population with access to a station Population within 1.6km Population within 5km of a Number of of a station station stations (and proportion of total North (and proportion of total North East East population) population) 2001 81,550 230,986 7 baseline (19%) (53%) 95,259 254,431 2012 8 (20%) (53%) 108,222 246,183 2017 8 (23%) (52%) Target 1a: To open a new railway station in the north east every three years, to a total of 12 by 2021. Target 1b: To increase the proportion of the north east population with access to a station to at least 25% within 1.6 km and at least 60% within 5 km by 2021. Source: Strategic Development Planning Authority Main Issues Report Monitoring Statement (2011), Councils’ Small Area Population Statistics (2017).
Nestrans Regional Transport Strategy 8 Monitoring Report 2018 Page 76
Indicator 2: Number of rail services per week (with typical journey times) from Aberdeen to key destinations Total London Sleeper Edinburgh Glasgow Dundee Inverness Inverurie journeys 2007 19 7 124 102 232 59 95 638 Baseline (7hrs 02) (10hrs 24) (2hrs 25) (2hrs 33) (1hr 11) (2hrs 15) (0hrs 25) 2012 21 6 117 96 231 71 131 673
(5 yrs) (7hrs 11) (10hrs 05) (2hrs 29) (2hrs 40) (1hr 12) (2hrs 16) (0hrs 23) 2017 21 6 118 108 229 71 144 697 (10 yrs) (7hrs 16) (10hrs 41) (2hrs 31) (2hrs 39) (1hr 13) (2hrs 16) (0hrs 22) 118 106 231 71 142 695 (2hrs 33) (2hrs 43) (1hr 13) (2hrs 15) (0hrs 23) (+8.9% 2018 21 6
journeytimes) (7hrs 04) (10hrs 04) on baseline)
No. No. of Services(average 2012 - 2018 times are average journey times across all services Monday to Sunday – this is different to previous years which simply recorded a typical journey time. Target 2a: To increase the number of rail services to key destinations by 10% every five years (i.e. services from Aberdeen to six key destinations increasing from 638 services in 2007 to 834 services per week by 2021). Target 2b: To have shorter rail journey times to key destinations, reduced by at least 10% of 2007 baseline by 2021 (i.e. Aberdeen-London <6hrs 30; Aberdeen-Edinburgh <2hrs 10; Aberdeen- Glasgow <2hrs 20; Aberdeen-Inverness <2hrs). Source: Rail timetables
Please note that the increase in the journey time for the sleeper service in 2017 was due to a temporary timetable change affecting Sundays only.
Indicator 3: Number of passengers per year through North East stations (and ranking within Scotland for those in top 100) Aberdeen Dyce S’haven Inverurie Insch L’kirk Huntly P’lethen TOTAL 2010/11 2,964,302 579,660 482,722 345,790 86,854 73,594 90,010 18,382 4,641,314 Baseline (5th) (59th) (74th) (99th)
2014/15 3,742,646 823,866 534,892 534,462 122,404 112,914 104,534 57,152 6,032,870
2015/16 3,459,944 664,396 535,698 533,972 118,378 104,488 105,846 56,324 5,579,046 (5 years) (5th) (58th) (79th) (80th)
3,058,268 517,586 504,750 511,708 98,140 96,002 94,904 45,936 4,927,294 2016/17 (5th) (78th) ( 81st) (79th)
% change from baseline 3% -11% 5% 48% 13% 30% 5% 150% 6% (2010/11 to 2016/17) Target 3: to increase passenger numbers through the north east’s railway stations by 50% by 2021 on 2010/11 figures Source: Office of the Rail Regulator and Scottish Transport Statistics
Nestrans Regional Transport Strategy 9 Monitoring Report 2018 Page 77
It is estimated that over 3.7 million rail journeys were made to, from or within the north east in 2015/16, with 1.1 million into and 1.1 million out of the region and 1.5 million internal trips (Note that in Indicator 3, internal trips will be counted both as a start and end for passengers through stations). In total, these trips cover an estimated 250 million miles.1
Rail journeys (thousands) 2015/16 To north east Within north east From north east Estimated average distance (miles) Total mileage (thousands)
Angus 141 141 Angus 52 (Arbroath) 14,664 Dundee 105 105 Dundee 67 (Dundee) 14,070 Fife 51 51 Fife 98 (Kirkcaldy) 9,996 Edinburgh and Edinburgh and Lothians 269 269 Lothians 127 (Edinburgh) 68,326 Moray 120 120 Moray 65 (Elgin) 15,600 Highland 120 120 Highland 104 (Inverness) 24,960 Glasgow 201 201 Glasgow 147 (Glasgow) 59,094 Perth, Stirling, Perth, Stirling, Falkirk 66 66 Falkirk 121 (Stirling) 15,972 Rest of Scotland 16 16 Rest of Scotland 184 (Ayr) 5,888 1,089 1,089 Within Aberdeen 403 8 (Dyce) 3,224 Within Aberdeenshire 32 25 800 City to Shire 1,106 19 (Stonehaven) 21,014
Total journeys 3,719 253,608
Source: Extrapolated from Scottish Transport Statistics 2017
1 Reference: Estimated using data from the Scottish Transport Statistics
Nestrans Regional Transport Strategy 10 Monitoring Report 2018 Page 78
Indicator 4 : Total number of passengers per year through North East stations and proportion of all Scotland’s rail patronage*
Total number of passengers North East all stations NE as % of Scotland through Scottish stations
2010/11 (Baseline) 4,641,000 164,341,000 2.8% 2011/12 5,048,000 166,646,000 3.0% 2012/13 5,382,000 171,476,000 3.1% 2013/14 5,803,000 173,356,000 3.4% 2014/15 6,033,000 183,472,000 3.3% 2015/16 5,579,000 186,718,000 3.0% 2016/17 4,927,000 188,466,000 2.6% % change from 2010/11 to 2016/17 +6% +15% Target 4: To increase passenger numbers through the north east’s railway stations as a proportion of Scotland’s rail patronage to at least 4% by 2021. *Note that a journey within Scotland will involve at least two stations (i.e. an entry and an exit, plus any changes or transfers) so total number of passenger journeys is less than half the total number of passengers through stations.
Nestrans Regional Transport Strategy 11 Monitoring Report 2018 Page 79
5. Road
Road Lengths (Kilometres) 2016/17 Transport Scotland Local Authority Roads TOTAL Motorway Trunk A Class Minor Aberdeen 0 31 58 855 944 Road Aberdeenshire 0 192 687 4,833 5,712 lengths North East 0 223 746 5,688 6,657 Source: Scottish Transport Statistics 2017
In 2017, roads in the north east made up almost 12% of the total road infrastructure in Scotland.
Traffic in the north east
In 2016, traffic within the north east travelled a total of 4.322 billion kilometres (2.7 billion miles), some 9.3% of all traffic in Scotland. In Aberdeen there was almost 1.4 billion kilometres (0.9 billion miles) travelled, and in Aberdeenshire almost 3 billion kilometres (1.9 billion miles).
Traffic levels were on or below the target of 4 billion vehicle kilometres per year between 2010 and 2012, however since 2013 there has been an increase above this target line with 2016 showing an overall increase of 6.6% on the 2005 baseline year (an increase of 2.2% on 2015). This increase is predominantly a result of increased traffic in Aberdeenshire.
Indicator 5: Distance travelled by vehicles in the north east
% change 2005 Aberdeen City: Aberdeenshire: North East: baseline to 2016 +0.22% +9.9% +6.6% Target 5: To maintain traffic at or below 4 billion vehicle kilometres per year through to 2021. Source: Scottish Transport Statistics, 2017
Nestrans Regional Transport Strategy 12 Monitoring Report 2018 Page 80
The growth in vehicle kilometres travelled is best represented by considering ten-year growth patterns. In the decade to 2007, growth in the north east was 12%, an average of 1.2% per annum. In the decade to 2016 however, this level of growth reduced substantially and the decade between 2003 and 2013 saw traffic reduce slightly, by 0.2%. Traffic has increased again since 2014, with a growth in traffic of around 4% between 2006 and 2016, but currently remains below target.
Indicator 6: Growth in vehicle kilometres travelled in the north east in the preceding decade.
2020 target
Target 6: To reduce the rate of growth of traffic to less than 5% for the decade to 2021. Source: Scottish Transport Statistics, 2017
Similarly, whilst traffic in the north east as a percentage of Scotland’s traffic has seen some slight increases since 2012, overall traffic growth between 2005 and 2016 has been less in the north east than in Scotland as a whole. Between 2014 and 2016, this has remained fairly constant at around 9.3% of Scotland’s traffic.
Nestrans Regional Transport Strategy 13 Monitoring Report 2018 Page 81
Indicator 7: Traffic in north east as a percentage of Scotland’s traffic
Change in traffic Traffic in the North Total Scottish North East as a % of volumes - 2005 East: Traffic: Scotland: baseline to 2016 2005 4.054 bn km 42.718 bn km 9.5% 2016 4.322 bn km 46.473 bn km 9.3% Source: Scottish Transport Statistics, 2017
Traffic composition in 2016 was similar in both Aberdeen City and Aberdeenshire, with between 74% and 79% of road traffic made up of cars and with LGVs and HGVs making up another 18 - 24% of traffic. Whilst the composition of buses remain low, there have been increases in the volume of bus traffic over the last 10 years.
Indicator 8: Composition of motorised traffic on north east roads
Aberdeen City - 2016 Aberdeenshire - 2016 1% 1% Motorcycles 5% 8% 13% Cars Motorcycles 2% 16% Cars Buses & Coaches 1% Buses & Coaches Light Goods Vehicles Light Goods 79% Vehicles 74% All HGVs All HGVs
Source: Department for Transport Road Traffic Counts
Nestrans Regional Transport Strategy 14 Monitoring Report 2018 Page 82
6. Air
Aberdeen Airport is crucially important to the regional economy, contributing millions of pounds directly into the local economy but also supporting business connections. The 2013 Aberdeen International Airport Masterplan states that 56% of passengers using Aberdeen Airport are business travellers, compared to around 30% at both Edinburgh and Glasgow.
Passenger numbers through Aberdeen Airport declined between 2014’s peak of 3,723,000 passengers to 2016, but 2017 has shown signs of a reversal of the recent trend as passenger numbers rose to 3,090,000, showing an increase in passenger numbers of 4.6% on the previous year.
The airport is undergoing a further period of development with significant improvements currently being made to the terminal building to increase capacity and improve facilities for passengers.
Indicator 9: Number of passengers through Aberdeen Airport
% change on 2005 baseline +8.3% Target 9: To increase the number of passengers through Aberdeen Airport by an average of 3% per year between 2010 and 2021, to more than 4 million by 2021. Source: Scottish Transport Statistics, Aberdeen Airport Masterplan, CAA
Nestrans Regional Transport Strategy 15 Monitoring Report 2018 Page 83
Indicator 10 : Proportion of Scotland’s air passengers using Aberdeen Airport
% change on 2005 baseline -1% point Target 10: To increase the proportion of Scotland’s air passengers who pass through Aberdeen International Airport to at least 18% by 2021. Source: Scottish Transport Statistics, CAA
Nestrans Regional Transport Strategy 16 Monitoring Report 2018 Page 84
Indicator 11 : The number of destinations served direct from Aberdeen Airport
% change on 2007 baseline Destinations: -2% Countries: +20% Target 11: To increase the number of destinations served direct from Aberdeen International Airport to at least 50 by 2021. Source: Aberdeen International Airport website, Spring 2018
Aberdeen International Airport currently (Summer 2018) has flights to 45 airports in 18 countries. The number of unique destinations has had an overall decrease in the last year although new destinations have also been added, including Malta, Antwerp and Reus near Barcelona. It is also the second best connected UK to UK airport with services to 21 other British airports (including London connections).
Nestrans Regional Transport Strategy 17 Monitoring Report 2018 Page 85
Indicator 12: Proportion of passengers through Aberdeen Airport using bus/rail.
Passengers through Aberdeen Airport by bus and rail 16% 2021 target 14%
12%
10%
8% Rail
6% Bus/coach
4%
2%
0% 2001 2005 2009 2013
Target 12: To increase the proportion of passengers accessing Aberdeen International Airport by public transport to at least 15% of passengers by 2021. Source: Scottish Transport Statistics, 20142
The Civil Aviation Authority undertakes passenger surveys at airports on a rolling four year basis. The most recent update of this data in 2013, indicates that there has been significant modal shift towards public transport access at the airport from less than 5% in 2001 to over 14%. An update to this data was expected in the 2017 survey but no Scottish airport was included.
In recent years, access to the airport by public transport has been significantly improved through the introduction of the Jet 727 service, with improvements to the frequency and capacity of this service enabling a significant improvement in transport choice.
The 80 Dyce shuttle service originally enabled faster connections between Dyce rail station and the airport since 2008, with improvements being made to the station to allow larger buses to access more easily. However, due to a decrease in passenger numbers in recent years in addition to changes to the train timetable, this service was withdrawn in May 2017.
2 Data is collected by the CAA on a rolling basis. Scottish airports have not been included in the survey since 2013.
Nestrans Regional Transport Strategy 18 Monitoring Report 2018 Page 86
Source: Scottish Transport Statistics, 2014
Nestrans Regional Transport Strategy 19 Monitoring Report 2018 Page 87
7. Maritime
Indicator 13 : Number of ferry services from north east ports (with typical journey times) To Orkney To Shetland Journeys / Journeys / Journey time Journey time week week 2007 Baseline 4 6 hrs 7 12 ½ hours 12 ½ - 14 ½ hours 4 summer / 2018 6 hrs 7 depending on whether it 3 winter calls at Kirkwall Target 13a: To maintain at least the current number of ferry services and journey times from north east ports through to 2021. Target 13b: To maintain at least the current journey times for ferry services from north east ports through to 2021 Source: Northlink Ferries timetables, 2018
The Scottish Ferries Plan was published in early 2013 and this has confirmed the continuation of the service from Aberdeen to Orkney and Shetland. Serco Northlink Ferries currently operate daily services, but it has been announced that the next franchise may be open to a public sector bidder. The introduction of Road Equivalent Tariffs (RET) in late 2018 is expected to increase demand and the development of the new south harbour at Bay of Nigg may introduce a further potential for significant growth in coming years.
Nestrans Regional Transport Strategy 20 Monitoring Report 2018 Page 88
Indicator 14: Number of passengers carried on ferry services to the Northern Isles.
Aberdeen-Kirkwall Aberdeen-Lerwick Total % change on 2007 baseline -14% +15% +7% Target 14: To increase the number of passengers on Northern Isles ferry services from north east ports by an average of 1% per year between 2007 and 2021, to at least 160,000 passengers by 2021. Source: Scottish Transport Statistics, 2017
Overall, passenger numbers are rising, with 149,000 using the Serco Northlink service in 2016. Whilst this is a decrease from the 2015 figure, it is an increase of 14% on the 2007 baseline.
The ferries carried 17,900 cars between Aberdeen-Lerwick and 4,500 between Aberdeen- Kirkwall in 2016. This shows a slight increase from the previous year, by 9% on the Aberdeen-Lerwick route and by 7% on the Aberdeen-Kirkwall route.
Nestrans Regional Transport Strategy 21 Monitoring Report 2018 Page 89
8. Freight
Modal split of freight movements is a key indicator of the efficiencies of the movement of goods and the availability of alternative choices.
Since 2013 the recording of freight data has changed significantly for railfreight and HGV freight, meaning that continuing comparison between the modes is no longer possible. Freight volumes in the north east region reflect economic factors and have therefore seen reduced tonnages in recent years, with around 27 million Tonnes of Goods (excluding oil and gas) moved in 2016. Information for each of the freight modes are summarised in the following sections.
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Maritime freight
The total volume of freight through the north east’s two major ports in 2016 was 4.918 million tonnes, a decrease of 16% on the previous year.
Indicator 15: The volume of goods through the north east’s major ports (Tonnes)
Freight carried through north east ports (inwards and outwards movements)
7000 2021 target 6000
5000
4000
Aberdeen
4,376
5,140 4,231
4,760 Peterhead
5,131
4,833
4,663 4,609
3000 4,164
4,264
4,570 3,770
2000 thousandtonnes
1000
1,468
1,377
971
947
928
1,148
871
1,107
797
1,054 790
0 1,024
2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016
% change on 2005 baseline Aberdeen: -18% Peterhead: +24% Total: -11% Target 15: To increase the volume of goods through Aberdeen and Peterhead Harbours by an average of at least 1% per year between 2005 and 2021, to 6.9 million Tonnes by 2021. Source: Scottish Transport Statistics 2017
The movement of goods through Aberdeen and Peterhead harbours have seen varying fortunes since 2000. In 2015 Peterhead saw its highest level since 1999, at nearly 1.5 million tonnes. This dropped in 2016 to 1.148 million tonnes. Aberdeen Harbour on the other hand saw growth of 12% between 2005 and 2012, to a figure of over 5 million tonnes. There has since been an overall decrease in the movement of goods, with 2016 showing under 4 million tonnes through Aberdeen Harbour.
The two ports of Aberdeen and Peterhead carry around 7.4% of Scotland’s maritime freight. This proportion has risen from a base of 5.0% in 2005.
Nestrans Regional Transport Strategy 23 Monitoring Report 2018 Page 91
Indicator 16 : Number of countries with shipping services from north east ports
Target 16: To increase the number of countries with links from north east ports to at least 50 by 2021. Source: Aberdeen Harbour Annual Review, 2016/17
Services from Aberdeen are available on a regular basis to 36 countries worldwide. This has fallen from a peak in 2012, but remains above the 2005 baseline of 32.
Nestrans Regional Transport Strategy 24 Monitoring Report 2018 Page 92
Air freight
Freight through Aberdeen International Airport tends to be fairly small volumes, but can often be high value or urgently required goods. In 2016, 5,731 tonnes were transported by air through Aberdeen Airport, an increase of some 40% since 2005, although a decrease from a high of 7,102 in 2013. This represents around 10% of Scotland’s airfreight movements.
Whilst Aberdeen has seen a decrease in freight movements in recent years, the level of freight carried bucks the trend seen in Scotland more generally, where air freight has been in an overall decline since 2006. Figures for Scotland in 2016 marked a 30% decline from the 2005 baseline.
Indicator 17: The volume of goods to or from the region carried by air freight 2005 Baseline 4,089 Tonnes 2016 5,731 Tonnes % change on 2005 baseline +40% Source: Scottish Transport Statistics, 2017
Nestrans Regional Transport Strategy 25 Monitoring Report 2018 Page 93
Heavy Goods Vehicles
An average of around 21 million tonnes of goods are moved by lorry to, from and within the Nestrans region every year between 2012 - 2016.
Indicator 18: The volume of goods to or from the north east carried by Heavy Goods Vehicle
HGV Goods Lifted to from and within the North East
25,000
20,000
3,559
4,094 3,323
From North East 4,609
15,000 4,360 5,046 Into North East
Within North
10,000 East
Thousandtonnes
13,832 13,802 5,000 13,020
-
Source: Extrapolated from Scottish Transport Statistics 20173
3 Due to limitations in the data currently published, these figures are based on estimates. Further work is required in order to ensure reliability of these figures.
Nestrans Regional Transport Strategy 26 Monitoring Report 2018 Page 94
Indicator 19: Number of permanent restrictions affecting trunk routes in or to/from the north east Number of trunk road restrictions: 2 Height restriction (15’ 3”) and signal-controlled carriageway on A96 at 2007 Baseline Inveramsay Bridge Width restriction (7’ 0”) A90 at Bridge of Dee Number of trunk road restrictions: 1 Construction of the Inveramsay Bridge upgrade on the A96 trunk road was completed in March 2016 and allows two-way traffic flows. 2017 Update Construction of the AWPR is nearing completion, which will ensure an unrestricted route for HGVs on trunk roads and is due to fully open by autumn 2018. Target 19: To remove all diversions relating to restrictions on trunk routes by 2018
Rail freight
In 2007, Network Rail implemented a gauge enhancement between Mossend in Lanarkshire and Aberdeen/Elgin to remove one of the constraints restricting rail freight development to and from the north east. Terminal developments constructed at Raiths Farm, Craiginches and Waterloo Quay have combined to offer a much enhanced rail freight product in the north east.
Since 2013 data from rail freight has not be easily accessible in a comparable form. However recent correspondence in 2017 supplied the following information showing that whilst general rail freight is dropping in volume, the demands on materials required by large construction contracts such as the AWPR and the new harbour has increased the volume of materials carried to the north east. There are currently three active carriers of rail freight that serve Aberdeen. Freightliner Heavy Haul operated in Aberdeen until January 2016 when its contract was taken over by Colas Rail.
Indicator 20: The volume of goods to or from the region carried by rail freight Name of Company Direct Rail Services Colas Rail DB Cargo Ltd Details of Contents Supermarket grocery Powdered cement Calcium carbonate containers and clay slurry Route Mossend to Dunbar to Aberdeen Mossend to Aberdeen Aberdeen Frequency 7 days per week 6/7 trains per week Once per week on on average Fridays Source: Operator correspondence
Nestrans Regional Transport Strategy 27 Monitoring Report 2018 Page 95
9. Coach
Many strategic passenger journeys to, from and within the north east are made by long- distance coach. A number of services are currently operating services to or from Aberdeen, including the Megabus/Citylink/Parks of Hamilton consortium and National Express. Maintaining and improving the choice of a coach option for travel will be important in ensuring that the connectivity of the region is maintained.
Indicator 21: Number of coach services per week from the north east direct to key locations Baseline 2007: Direct services per week to: London – 14 (12hrs) Edinburgh - 0 Manchester – 7 (8hrs 20) Glasgow – 111 (3hrs 15) Newcastle – 0 Inverness 86 (3hrs 51) Birmingham - 0 Total Services per week: 218 2012 (5 years from baseline): Total Services per week: 275 2014 Total services per week: 448 2016 Total services per week: 541 2017 (10 years from baseline): Total services per week: 533 2018: Coaches per week (direct ) Edinburgh – 105 (Citylink, Megabus & Parks of Hamilton) Glasgow – 134 (Citylink, Megabus & Parks of Hamilton) Inverness – 126 (Citylink, Megabus, Parks of Hamilton & Stagecoach Service 10) London – 39 (Megabus and National Express) Manchester – 25 (Megabus & National Express) Newcastle – 14 (Megabus) Birmingham – 21 (National Express & Megabus) Total services per week: 464 % change since 2007 baseline: +113% Target 21: To increase the number of bus and coach services to key destinations by 10% every five years (i.e. services from Aberdeen to seven key destinations increasing from 218 services in 2007 to 285 services per week by 2021). Source: Operator timetables
Although there has been a recent reduction in the number of long distance coach services, the number of services per week is still currently above target, with all of the identified key destinations having increases since the Baseline. There have been some reductions in the number of Scottish journeys, with connections to Edinburgh having seen reductions since 2014, and Inverness and Glasgow since 2016. Conversely, there has been a recent increase in the availability of travel to English destinations, although Manchester and London also saw decreases in services since 2017.
Nestrans Regional Transport Strategy 28 Monitoring Report 2018 Page 96
10. Bus
Bus Usage
Nestrans continues to work with the two major bus operators and two local authorities as part of a voluntary quality partnership agreement. Due to a change in the way the figures are recorded through the quality partnership, in order to avoid double counting, it is not possible to directly compare bus patronage figures for years prior to 2015/16. There has however been a reduction in paying passengers between 2015/16 and 2016/17.
The Local Authority and Bus Operators Forum are currently working to refresh the bus action plan, due to be implemented in 2018, and this will focus on the delivery of actions to reverse this trend.
Indicator 22: The number of people using buses in the north east. Paying customers Concessions Total 2015/16 19.4 million 10.4 million 29.9 million 2016/17 18.1 million 10.5 million 28.6 million 2017/18 16.3 million 10.2 million 26.5 million % change since -15.9% -2.4% -11.2% 2015/16 Target 22: To increase the number of bus passenger journeys by 2021. Source: First, Stagecoach, Aberdeen City Council and Aberdeenshire Council
Indicator 23: The percentage of north east residents who find public transport convenient.
% change on Very Convenient: Convenient: +13% Total: -1% point 2005 baseline -14% points points Target 23: To maintain 80% of passengers finding public transport convenient or very convenient. Source: Transport and Travel in Scotland, Scottish Household Survey
Nestrans Regional Transport Strategy 29 Monitoring Report 2018 Page 97
Bus passenger satisfaction Transport Focus undertake an annual survey on bus passenger satisfaction in Scotland. In order to ensure a large enough sample to produce reliable results, Nestrans funds additional surveys in Aberdeen City and Aberdeenshire. This replaces earlier surveys undertaken by Nestrans and the Local Authority Bus Operator Forum across the region.
Indicator 24: The percentage of north east residents who were satisfied with public transport
How satisfied were you with the overall service that you experienced on your most recent bus trip?
North East 2014 2016 2017 Very Satisfied n/a 38% 40% Fairly satisfied n/a 48% 46% Percentage satisfied or very satisfied 87% 86% 87%
Target 24: To maintain proportions in the north east who were satisfied or very satisfied with their last bus trip at 80% or more through to 2021. Source: Transport Focus Bus Passenger Satisfaction Survey in Scotland, 2017
As can be seen from the indicator above, overall satisfaction has remained static in the north east since 2014. The percentage of people that state they are dissatisfied has remained largely unchanged at around 4%.
Nestrans Regional Transport Strategy 30 Monitoring Report 2018 Page 98
Reliability and punctuality of buses
Both First and Stagecoach publish data relating to reliability and punctuality.
The table below shows that although reliability (i.e. the number of services operated) remains high for both operators, punctuality (i.e. those running on time) is currently below the target of 95% of buses departing on time set by the Traffic Commissioner4.
Indicator 25: Reliability and Punctuality Reliability Punctuality (% of miles operated) (% buses starting their route on time) First Stagecoach First Stagecoach 2010 99.5% 99.9% 86% 89% 2016 99.8% 99.7% 95% 84% 2017 97.3%5 99.3% 94% 86% Target 25a: To secure 99% reliability of bus services run in the north east through to 2021. Target 25b: To secure 95% punctuality (no more than one minute early or five minutes late) for bus services within the north east through to 2021.
Looking at the table above, it should be noted that the technical figures provided by the operators and the perception of passengers are not always in sync. The table below shows that passenger satisfaction rates the punctuality and waiting time of buses as lower than the standards being recorded by the operator. This could be due to reductions in frequency leading to longer waiting times at the bus stop or expectations greater than the Commissioner’s standard. However, it should be noted that there was an increase in satisfaction reported by Transport Focus in 2017.
How satisfied were you with the punctuality of the bus that you experienced on your most recent bus trip?
2014 2016 2017 Very Satisfied n/a 37% 38% Fairly satisfied n/a 33% 34% Percentage satisfied or very satisfied 79% 70% 72%
How satisfied were you with the length of time waiting for the bus that you experienced on your most recent bus trip?
2014 2016 2017 Very Satisfied n/a 35% 36% Fairly satisfied n/a 36% 37% Percentage satisfied or very satisfied 81% 71% 73%
Transport Focus Bus Passenger Satisfaction Survey in Scotland, 2017
4 On time is defined by the Traffic Commissioner as being within the window of tolerance of 1 minute early to 5 minutes late. 5 This may be in part due to drivers strike in early 2018.
Nestrans Regional Transport Strategy 31 Monitoring Report 2018 Page 99
Cost of bus services
As a key determinant of mode choice, this report monitors the respective prices of City Centre parking and of average daily bus fares. Indicator 26 shows that whilst daily bus fares have become more competitive, reducing by 17% since 2012, car parking charges have been static. Although the relative cost of bus:parking reduced between 2007 and 2015, a ratio of 1.8 remains.
Indicator 26: To monitor the price of car parking in Aberdeen City Centre relative to bus fares, by comparing a ratio of 2hrs off-street parking in a Council multi-storey car park: cost of peak daily ticket on city buses.
% change in cost on Cost of 2 hrs parking: +83% Cost of bus day ticket: +13% 2007 base Target 26: To reduce the differential between the cost of parking and bus travel to a factor of no more than 1.5 by 2021. Source: Aberdeen City Council, Stagecoach, First Aberdeen & Grasshopper
Nestrans Regional Transport Strategy 32 Monitoring Report 2018 Page 100
Monthly bus season tickets are also compared to Scotland’s other main cities. Whilst Aberdeen remains the most expensive, at £66 for a monthly ticket the gap between the cities has narrowed with the Aberdeen ticket reducing in real terms.
Indicator 27: To compare cost of monthly (or four weekly) bus ticket in Aberdeen with other Scottish cities.
% change on Aberdeen Dundee: Edinburgh: Glasgow: 2008 (First): +52% +54% +60% baseline +27% Source: First Aberdeen, Stagecoach, Travel Dundee, Lothian Buses and First Glasgow
Nestrans Regional Transport Strategy 33 Monitoring Report 2018 Page 101
Park and Ride
The north east has three well established bus-based Park & Ride sites, at Bridge of Don and Kingswells in Aberdeen City and at Ellon in Aberdeenshire and a further site opened to the public in June 2017 at Craibstone Park and Ride at Dyce Drive on the A96. The RTS proposes further Park & Ride sites, with a site at Portlethen on the A90(S) having secured planning permission in principle. Aberdeenshire Council are also progressing the development of mini park & ride hubs on the A947 corridor. Nestrans conducts surveys at park and ride sites to better understand the occupancy of the car parks in order to supplement the information provided regarding overall patronage. Although the indicator is currently shown as going in the wrong direction due to the decline at the main park and ride sites, it is intended to review this once a clearer picture of how patronage is changing between the usage of the park and ride sites in addition to bus patronage figures is established.
Indicator 28: The number of passengers on park and ride bus services
Park and Ride Car Park Usage
Number of spaces in use (typical day) Capacity Change 2015 2016 2017 2015-17 Bridge of Don 532 182 123 146 -19.8% Ellon 300 169 172 182 7.7%
Kingswells 915 118 103 213 80.5% Craibstone 1,000 n/a n/a 14 n/a Total 2,747 469 398 555 18.3%
Park and Ride Figures Summary (annual patronage) % Change from 2015 2016 2017 2015 North East 316,268 271,565 259,120 -18% Figures based on all P&R in area from patronage figures supplied by operators.
Target 28a: To increase the number of park and ride sites to five by 2021. Target 28b: To double patronage on Park & Ride services by 2021. Source: Aberdeenshire Council, Aberdeen City Council, Nestrans
Nestrans Regional Transport Strategy 34 Monitoring Report 2018 Page 102
Integrated ticketing
Indicator 29: The ability to transfer from one transport company to another with minimum hassle and using a single ticket
A multi-operator ticket ‘The Grasshopper’, was launched on 8th May 2014 and enables passengers to purchase one ticket for travel on 2014/15 First and Stagecoach services within zones 1-3 and a number of smaller operators in Aberdeenshire.
The Grasshopper ticket was extended to a region-wide scheme in 2015/16 2015, across six fare bands. It is an operator led scheme incorporating 9 local bus operators.
The regional fares and ticketing strategy was refreshed in 2016. This includes a number of actions relating to the development of integrated and smart ticketing. 2016/17
In August 2016, the Grasshopper scheme was relaunched as Scotland’s first multi-operator bus smartcard. Target 29: To implement an integrated ticketing scheme including multi operators within the north east by 2017. Source: http://grasshopperpass.com/
Nestrans Regional Transport Strategy 35 Monitoring Report 2018 Page 103
11. Cycling and Walking
Cycling
In 2008, Aberdeen Cycle Forum first carried out a cycle count survey at 11 points across the city, on key routes and at strategically important junctions, during the morning peak on a weekday morning between 0700 and 0900 hours (the count ran from 0730 to 0900 hours in 2008). The count has continued annually (in May) and, in 2016, the number of locations surveyed was increased to 16.
The 2018 count showed, in line with other nationwide surveys and research papers, that the number of female cyclists (17%) continues to be markedly under-represented.
Since 2008, while admittedly only a very brief behavioural snapshot, there has been an over 40% increase in the number of cyclists recorded during these counts.
Indicator 30: Total Number of Cyclists Recorded on Key Routes – Aberdeen City
Target 30: to at least double the number of cyclists recorded on key routes in Aberdeen City between 2008 and 2021
Both Aberdeen City and Aberdeenshire Councils have installed a comprehensive network of automated cycle counters throughout their respective areas. It is hoped that these will provide a reliable evidence-base, from which to measure and monitor behaviour change and analyse modal shift over coming years.
Nestrans Regional Transport Strategy 36 Monitoring Report 2018 Page 104
Total Number of Cyclists Recorded on Key Routes - Aberdeen City
120000
100000
80000
60000
40000
20000
0
June 16 - May 17 June 17 - May 18
As the Aberdeen City counters are still in their first few years, any downtime for the counters has the potential to skew results. In the graph above, the starred locations denote counters that were only able to provide partial count data for the year 2017/18. This may, in part, account for some locations where cycling has seen a decrease over the last year. More data through continued monitoring will be required to establish a reliable trend.
In recent years, there has been significant investment and improvements to cycling infrastructure across the City, not least the upgrading of the Deeside Way, the introduction of the Shell and Riverside Paths, newly constructed shared paths around Aberdeen Airport and, with the opening of the Diamond Bridge in June 2016, the creation of a network of fully segregated shared paths in Bridge of Don and Tillydrone.
Aberdeenshire continues to benefit from the delivery and development of a wide range of infrastructure improvements aimed at supporting and promoting walking and cycling. Following the success of Aberdeenshire Council's ‘Cycle Demonstration Town’ project in Peterhead, further work is taking place in the communities of Huntly, Inverurie, Fraserburgh, Portlethen and Ellon to help each support more sustainable and active travel over the coming months and years. Progress is also being made on achieving the long-term goal of linking some of the larger towns and smaller communities in the Shire with the City suburbs by a network of segregated paths.
Nestrans Regional Transport Strategy 37 Monitoring Report 2018 Page 105
Indicator 31: Total Number of Cyclists Recorded on Key Routes – Aberdeenshire
Target 31: to at least double the number of cyclists recorded on key routes in Aberdeenshire between 2016/17 and 2021
The graph above shows a selected number of count sites across Aberdeenshire, representing a number of key locations. These provide a snapshot of cycling activity at these sites, although a number of other sites are also being monitored. Similar to the Aberdeen City counts, the majority of the Aberdeenshire counts have been recently installed, with the number of available counters more than doubling since 2015. Due to this, more data will be required through continued monitoring in order to establish a reliable trend.
Nestrans Regional Transport Strategy 38 Monitoring Report 2018 Page 106
12. Mode split and Personal Travel
Car Ownership
With almost 239,000 cars, the north east has more cars and vans than households, yet 20% of households do not have access to a vehicle.
There were 94,400 cars registered in Aberdeen and 144,400 registered in Aberdeenshire at end December 2016 (Source: Scottish Transport Statistics). Over the entire North East, this represents a total increase of 14% on 2005.
Number of cars licensed in the North East
160
140
120
100 Aberdeen 80 Aberdeenshire
Thousands 60
40
20
0 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016
Source: Scottish Transport Statistics, 2017
Car ownership is high in the north east, with 80% of households having access to a car. Aberdeenshire has the highest rate of car ownership in Scotland, with around 91% of households having access to at least one vehicle. Car ownership in Aberdeen City has increased from 65% of households in 2005/06 to around 69% in 2016 (although this is slightly down from 71% in 2015 as a result of an increasing number of households). Despite this, some 32% of households in the City (up from 30% in 2015) and 9% of households in Aberdeenshire (down from 13% in 2015) do not have access to a car or van. Over the last 5 years the proportion of households without access to a car in Aberdeen City has remained relatively static at around 27-32%. In Aberdeenshire however, there has been a gradual decrease in the proportion of households without access to a car, from 17% in 2012 down to 9% in 2016. (Source: Transport and Travel in Scotland, 2016).
Nestrans Regional Transport Strategy 39 Monitoring Report 2018 Page 107
Source: Transport and Travel in Scotland, 2016
Indicator 32: The proportion of households in the north east without access to a car or van. Aberdeen Aberdeenshire North East 2005/06 34% 14% 24% 2012 29% 17% 23% 2014 27% 15% 21% 2015 30% 13% 22% 2016 32% 9% 20% Source: Transport and Travel in Scotland, 2016
Nestrans Regional Transport Strategy 40 Monitoring Report 2018 Page 108
Drivers with a Disability
There were 16,746 Blue Badge holders in the north east at the end of March 2017. This represents 6% of cars registered in the region. After a number of years of increases in the number of Blue Badge holders across the north east, there have been reductions in both Aberdeen City and Aberdeenshire since 2011 – a 31% reduction in six years.
Indicator 33: The number of blue badge holders (and proportion relative to cars registered) in the north east. Aberdeen Aberdeenshire North East
Blue % of all Blue badges % of all Blue % of all badges cars cars badges cars March 2006 8,645 10% 10,024 8% 18,669 9% March 2011 8,044 8% 16,288 12% 24,332 11% March 2016 6,643 6% 10,210 5% 16,853 6% March 2017 6.908 6% 9,838 5% 16,746 6%
Source: Scottish Transport Statistics, 2017
Nestrans Regional Transport Strategy 41 Monitoring Report 2018 Page 109
Indicator 34: The proportion of taxis which are capable of carrying wheelchairs
Target 34: To increase the proportion of wheelchair accessible taxis across the north east from 39% in 2009 to at least 50% by 2021 Source: Scottish Transport Statistics 2017
In 2012 Aberdeen City Council announced a cap in the number of taxi licences and committed to a 100% wheelchair accessible fleet by 2017. In May 2016 this deadline was extended to 6 June 2018. As can be seen from the graph, the proportion of wheelchair accessible taxis in the city is currently 38%, having seen a reduction in the last 12 months. On 15th January 2018 Aberdeen City Council launched a consultation on the current Wheelchair Accessible Vehicle policy in order to assess whether a mixed taxi fleet of both accessible and saloon vehicles would be the best option for Aberdeen City. This consultation closed on 28th February 2018 with Aberdeen City Council still to determine future policy.
Nestrans Regional Transport Strategy 42 Monitoring Report 2018 Page 110
Travel to work
Over half drive to work, but the proportion has been historically reducing.
Across the north east in 2016, some 68% of employed adults not working from home, drove to work and another 5% travelled as passengers in cars or vans. This compares to 65% and 6% respectively in 2007/08. In Aberdeen City, 53% of residents drive to work, compared to 83% in Aberdeenshire (62% is the average for Scotland as a whole).
It should be noted that this survey used small sample sizes, of between 100 and 200 respondents. As such, small changes are liable to make a large impact year on year. Although Aberdeenshire has shown a marked decrease in the number of people travelling to work using a mode other than car driver, comparison will need to be made with future years to determine whether this is a change in trend or an anomaly in recent trends.
Walking to work in Aberdeen City continues to stay above the average for Scotland as a whole, and cycling increased for the first time since 2012, rising to the highest figure to-date for both Aberdeen City and Aberdeenshire and well above the average for Scotland as a whole. In addition to this, bus use in Aberdeen City has also stayed well above the average for Scotland as a whole, at 11%.
Nestrans Regional Transport Strategy 43 Monitoring Report 2018 Page 111
Source: Scottish Household Survey Travel Diary Results/Transport and Travel in Scotland
Indicator 35: The proportion of travel to work journeys by modes other than car driver.
2021 target
% points change on Aberdeen City: Aberdeenshire: North East: 2003/04 baseline +6 %points -13 %points +4%points Target 35: To increase the proportion of travel to work journeys by modes other than car driver to 40% across the north east by 2021. Source: Scottish Household Survey Travel Diary Results/Transport and Travel in Scotland
In 2016, whilst Aberdeen City continues to be above target, reductions in walking and increases in driving in both Aberdeen City and Aberdeenshire have reduced the overall result. As noted above, future years will help to determine whether this is a one-off change in the trend, or whether other factors have influenced mode choice.
Nestrans Regional Transport Strategy 44 Monitoring Report 2018 Page 112
Travel to School
Around half of north east children travel actively to school Across the north east in 2017, 45% of pupils in full-time education at school usually walked to school, 4% cycled, 18% took a school bus or other bus service, with 22% being driven.
Source: Sustrans Hands Up Survey
Nestrans Regional Transport Strategy 45 Monitoring Report 2018 Page 113
Indicator 36: The proportion of children travelling actively to school (walking or cycling). Walking Cycling Scooter/Skate City Shire NE City Shire NE City Shire NE 2003/04 1% 2% 2% 59% 48% 52% 0% 1% 1% Baseline 2008 62% 43% 53% 2% 3% 3% 1% 1% 1% 2013 49% 42% 46% 2% 4% 3% 2% 2% 2% 2016 50% 40% 45% 3% 5% 4% 2% 3% 2% 2017 52% 37% 45% 3% 4% 4% 2% 2% 2% % point change -7% -11% -7% +3% +3% +3% +1% since = = points points points points points points point 2003/04 baseline Target 36: To increase the proportion of children walking and cycling to school to at least 60% by 2021. Source: Sustrans Hands Up Surveys
Nestrans Regional Transport Strategy 46 Monitoring Report 2018 Page 114
Car Share
Nestrans supports a carshare database www.getabout.liftshare.com, which has a number of umbrella organisations using their own accounts within the scheme. Recognising that car use can be a necessity for many users, Nestrans supports the principle of encouraging sharing where possible.
Indicator 37: Number of participants in Getabout carshare scheme. Total members New members in last year 2007/08 811 284 2012/13 2,627 348 2016/17 3,138 117 2017/18 3,193 338 % change on 2007/08 +294% +19% baseline Target 37: To increase participation in the Getabout car share scheme by an average of 15% each year from 2007/08 to at least 5,000 members by 2021. Source: Getabout Liftshare
Source: Getabout Liftshare
Nestrans Regional Transport Strategy 47 Monitoring Report 2018 Page 115
Indicator 38: Number of car club members Number Number of Number Wheelchair Number of Number of % of cars electric or of accessible members drivers utilisation in the alternatively hybrid vehicles (organisations registered of the fleet fuelled vehicles & individuals) vehicles vehicles in in fleet fleet 2012/13 12 0 n/a 0 104 395 20% 2013/14 26 9 n/a 1 222 642 20% 2015/16 40 21 5 2 561 1,277 23% 2016/17 44 (plus 27 5 2 677 1,524 16% 3 vans) 2017/18 40 (plus 28 5 1 887 1,800 18% 3 vans) Target 38: To increase the number of drivers registered in north east car clubs by an average of 20% each year from 2012/13 to over 2,000 by 2021. Source: Co-Wheels Car Club
The number of cars in the Aberdeen car club scheme has decreased slightly in the last year and the fleet of 40 cars includes 20 electric vehicles, 5 hydrogen vehicles, 5 hybrid vehicles and 1 vehicle capable of carrying a wheelchair. 3 electric vans are included in the fleet, bringing the total count of electric, hybrid and hydrogen-fuelled vehicles to 33. The number of members has continued to increase, as has the utilisation of vehicles.
A car club scheme was also launched in Huntly in September 2015 and currently has three vehicles in its fleet (a petrol car, a hybrid car and an electric van). The scheme currently has 19 members and 19 designated drivers.
Nestrans Regional Transport Strategy 48 Monitoring Report 2018 Page 116
13. Journey times and Congestion
Congestion is a key issue in determining the reliability of journey times and an important indicator of the efficiency of the road network, particularly within the north east.
Congestion
% points change Aberdeen City: Aberdeenshire: North East: on 2007/08 -3 %points +3 %points No overall change baseline Source: Transport and Travel in Scotland: Local Area Analysis
Indicator 39: The percentage of driver journeys delayed due to congestion Aberdeen City Aberdeenshire North East 2007/08 23% 13% 18% 2009/10 18% 12% 15% 2012 12% 13% 12% 2013 19% 13% 16% 2014 19% 17% 18% 2015 16% 14% 15% 2016 20% 16% 18% Target 39: to reduce the proportion of journeys delayed due to congestion in the north east to less than 10% by 2021
Nestrans Regional Transport Strategy 49 Monitoring Report 2018 Page 117
Journey Times
A key determinant of transport choice is the relative journey time, compared to using a private car. In particular, some journeys require a change of public transport and connections are not always convenient.
There is a need therefore to monitor and maintain records of average journey times by various modes. To do this, twelve key links have been established and annual data gathering undertaken to monitor the journey times, particularly at peak times. The same 12 sample journeys are monitored on an annual basis and assessment made of relative car and public transport journey times. The public transport times allow for a starting time when a service is available (between 8am and 09:30am), but include changes and any connections to be made. Monitoring over time will show changes in journey times which may be influenced by interventions such as better connections or improved journey times, particularly where bus priorities are available or new routes and connections created.
The journeys are planned using journey planning websites to gauge estimated journey times by different modes, although it is difficult to get realistic estimates taking account of possible delays.
Indicator 40 provides an indication of car and public transport journey times aggregated for the 12 sample journeys (detailed below). Between 2012 and 2017, public transport journey times have increased and speeds now average 17 mph, the lowest to date. This was particularly due to some journeys having long connection times. The comparable journey times by car have been reducing and average speeds are estimated at 34 mph – 50% quicker than public transport for equivalent journeys.
Estimated Journey Times May 2018 Miles Car Public Transport* Fraserburgh to St Cyrus 74 1hour 52min 3hours 24m Peterhead to Banchory 52 1hour 24min 2hours 46m Banff to Foresterhill 45 1hour 09min 1hour 42min Turriff to RGU 36 59 minutes 2hours Bridge of Don to Dyce 6 21 minutes 41 minutes Stonehaven to Airport 21 47 minutes 1hour 23min Braemar to Woodhill House 55 1hour 24min 2hours 52m Huntly to Union Street 39 1hour 06min 1hour 33min Seaton to Altens 5 20 minutes 50 minutes Portlethen to Kirkhill 14 39 minutes 1hour 20min Tillydrone to East Tullos 5 19 minutes 44 minutes Cults to Balmedie 15 36 minutes 1hour 19min TOTAL DISTANCE 367 Total journey time 10hours 56m 20hours 34m Average journey speed 34 mph 17 mph *shortest journey time starting between 0800 and 0959, weekday6 Source: www.Google.co.uk/maps and www.travelinescotland.com
6 The journey times in this chart should be treated with caution. The journey planning website transportdirect was previously used, but has been replaced by Travelinescotland info.
Nestrans Regional Transport Strategy 50 Monitoring Report 2018 Page 118
Indicator 40: To monitor average journey speeds by car and public transport for 12 typical journeys across the north east (total distance 367 miles). Total journey time across 12 Average journey speed across 12 journeys journeys Car Public Transport Car Public Transport April 2008 13hrs 59 17hrs 31 27 mph 21 mph April 2012 12hrs 05 16hrs 49 30 mph 23 mph March 2017 10hrs 25 17hrs 48 35 mph 21 mph May 2018 10hrs 56 20hrs 34 34 mph 17 mph
Target 40a: to reduce journey times between key locations within the north east between 2008 and 2021 Target 40b: To reduce the differential between public transport and car journey times between key locations within the north east, by ensuring that average speeds for public transport journeys are less than 20% higher than comparable car journeys by 2021. Source: www.transportdirect.info / www.google.co.uk/maps / www.travelinescotland.com
Nestrans Regional Transport Strategy 51 Monitoring Report 2018 Page 119
Since 2016, the Traffic Scotland website has also monitored typical journey times on the road network within Aberdeen City. A comparison has been included below. In future years this should provide a better indication of journey times and congestion within Aberdeen.
Indicator 41: Typical journey times by road to and from Aberdeen City Centre
Source: Traffic Scotland
Nestrans Regional Transport Strategy 52 Monitoring Report 2018 Page 120
14. Road Safety
Casualties
The number of casualties in road traffic accidents across the north east has fallen from an average of 1,263 in the period 2001 to 2005 to 882 between 2012 and 2016, a reduction of some 30%.
Indicator 42: The number of casualties in road traffic collisions 2001-05 average: Fatal Serious Slight All Baseline Aberdeen 6 71 402 479 Aberdeenshire 31 148 607 784 North east 38 219 1,010 1,263 (All severities - reduction of 24.6% on 1994-98 average) 2012-2016 average Fatal Serious Slight All Aberdeen 5 87 261 327 Aberdeenshire 20 170 365 555 North east 25 257 626 882 % Change -34% +18% -38% -30% since 2001-05
Target 42: To reduce the number of casualties in road traffic collisions by at least 2% per five-year average to less than 1,000 of all severities by 2017-21. Source: Road Casualties Scotland, 2016
Nestrans Regional Transport Strategy 53 Monitoring Report 2018 Page 121
This report also monitors fatalities in Road Traffic Collisions and these are shown in Indicator 43. Whilst there has been a 34% reduction from the 2001-05 base to an average of just over 25 deaths between 2012-16, the reduction appears to have been between 2003-07 and 2007-11, with a levelling off since then.
Indicator 43: The number of deaths in road traffic collisions
% change on 2001-05 Aberdeen City: Aberdeenshire: North East: baseline -19% -37% -34% Target 43: To reduce deaths from road traffic collisions by at least 50% of 2001-05 average to an average of fewer than 20 per year by 2017-21.
Nestrans Regional Transport Strategy 54 Monitoring Report 2018 Page 122
15. Environment
Carbon Emissions
Per capita CO2 emissions from road transport
The UK Government provides data supporting the national indicator of per capita CO2 emissions in Local Authority areas across the UK split by energy sector.
In 2015 transport (including road and diesel railways) accounted for 24% of total carbon dioxide emissions from industry and commercial; domestic; and transport sources in Aberdeen City and 35% in Aberdeenshire. This proportion has increased by 4 percentage points since 2005 in both Aberdeen City and Aberdeenshire.
As well as total carbon emissions, it is appropriate to monitor carbon emissions on a per capita basis to take account of changes in the population. Per capita emissions from road transport have decreased from 2.7 tonnes of CO2 per person in 2005 to 2.4 tonnes in 2015 in Aberdeenshire and from 1.6 to 1.3 tonnes in Aberdeen City. This represents a 15% reduction across the region since 2005. Per capita emissions from road transport for Scotland as a whole were 1.9 tonnes of CO2 in 2015.
Indicator 44: Carbon Dioxide emissions from road transport
% per capita reduction Aberdeen City Aberdeenshire North East since 2005 -20% -13% -15% Target 44: To reduce the CO2 emissions from road transport in the north east by at least 2.5% per year, to an average of less than 1.5 tonnes per capita by 2021. Source: Department of Energy and Climate Change
Nestrans Regional Transport Strategy 55 Monitoring Report 2018 Page 123
Electric Vehicles
The north east has had a number of publicly available chargers installed in order to encourage the use of electric vehicles. As of 2018, this equates to some 77 facilities, 8% of the total number of chargers available in Scotland, up significantly from 2017 when there were 52. Work is currently underway to install more rapid and fast chargers in order to allow users to charge their vehicles more quickly. The maps below show a snapshot of where the chargers are available.
Indicator 45a: The number of publicly available Electric Vehicle charging points across the north east Number of Chargers (2018) Aberdeen City Aberdeenshire
2018 All Chargers Fast Chargers Rapid Chargers Aberdeen City 50 22 10 Aberdeenshire 27 6 11 North East 77 28 21 Scotland* 924 271 190 North East as a % of 8% 10% 11% Scotland Target 45a: To double from a 2017 base of 52, the number of public EV points available in the north east to at least 100 by 2021. Source: http://chargeplacescotland.org/ *Numbers are estimated due to difficulty in obtaining accurate figures.
Total Number of 2017 2018 Chargers
Aberdeen City 30 50 Aberdeenshire 22 27 North East 52 77 Source: http://chargeplacescotland.org/
Nestrans Regional Transport Strategy 56 Monitoring Report 2018 Page 124
In addition to the number of charging points increasing across Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire, the number of plug in electric vehicles have also seen significant growth year-on-year. In 2017, there were 287 plug in cars registered in Aberdeen and 402 in Aberdeenshire, a total of some 689 across the north east (an increase of 51% on the previous year’s total of 456 and representing some 9.9% of such vehicles in Scotland). The graph below illustrates this trend for both Aberdeen City and Aberdeenshire.
Indicator 45b: The number of plug-in electric cars and vans across the north east Aberdeen City Aberdeenshire North East 2016 206 250 456 2017 287 402 689 Target 45b: To double from a 2016 base of 456, the number of plug-in electric cars and vans registered in the north east to at least 1,000 by 2021.
Nestrans Regional Transport Strategy 57 Monitoring Report 2018 Page 125
Air Quality
Three Air Quality Management Areas have been identified in Aberdeen: the City Centre; Anderson Drive; and Wellington Road. These areas have been identified for projected exceedances in permitted levels of both Nitrogen Dioxide (NO2) and Particulates (PM10) and the City Council has produced a plan of action for reducing emissions to within European-defined maximum levels in these areas.
Monitoring stations are in place at six locations and provide data on the current situation as well as annual average concentrations of pollutants. Indicator 46 shows that, as of 2016, Wellington Road has again overtaken Union Street for experiencing the highest levels of Nitrogen Dioxide emissions. Both Wellington Road and Union Street are the only monitoring sites that currently exceed the annual mean objective, although Union Street has been steadily decreasing in mean concentrations of Nitrogen Dioxide since 2012. Market Street has also continued its downward trend for Nitrogen Dioxide emissions. However, Wellington Road increased mean concentrations for the first time since 2012 and is once again above target.
Indicator 46: The average atmospheric concentration of nitrogen dioxide
Target 46: To reduce the levels of identified pollutants and meet national and European legislation on pollutants (enabling the removal of AQMA status at all sites in the north east - in Aberdeen City Centre, Wellington Road and Anderson Drive) Source: www.scottishairquality.co.uk and Aberdeen City Council 2017 Air Quality Annual Progress Report
Nestrans Regional Transport Strategy 58 Monitoring Report 2018 Page 126
The annual mean objective for particulates reduced across the board and levels are the lowest ever recorded. All sites are now within target.
Indicator 47: The average atmospheric concentration of particulates (PM10s)
Target 47: To reduce the levels of identified pollutants and meet national and European legislation on pollutants (across the three AQMAs in Aberdeen). Source: www.scottishairquality.co.uk and Aberdeen City Council 2017 Air Quality Annual Progress Report
Indicator 48: The number of Noise Management Areas In March 2015, Aberdeen City Council declared 15 Noise Management Areas across the City: 1. Auchmill Road at Newton Terrace 2. North Anderson Drive at Clifton Road 3. Great Northern Road near Smithfield Lane 4. King Street at Don Street 5. North Anderson Drive at Mastrick Road 6. North Anderson Drive at Laburnum Walk 7. King Street at Mealmarket Street – excluding Little John Street and Mealmarket Street 8. King Street at St Clair Street 9. Union Street at Dee Street 10. Rennies Wynd, Wapping Street, Carmelite Street, Trinity Street, Guild Street 11. Market Street, Union Street, Netherkirkgate 12. Market Street, Virginia Street, Shore Brae 13. Palmerston Road, Market Street 14. Victoria Road at Walker Road 15. A90 at Holburn Street.
There are no declared NMAs in Aberdeenshire. Target 48: To reduce the number of Noise Management Areas. Source: Aberdeen City Council website.
NL/RD June 2018
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Page 128 Agenda Item 3e
NORTH EAST SCOTLAND TRANSPORT PARTNERSHIP – 20 June 2018
3e General Data Protection Regulations - GDPR
Purpose of Report
The purpose of this report is to inform the Nestrans Board of the work that has been completed to comply with the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR).
Background
The GDPR became effective on 25th May 2018 and is a regulation by which the European Parliament, the Council of the European Union and the European Commission seek to strengthen and unify data protection for all individuals within the European Union (EU).
GDPR has introduced significant new penalties for personal data breaches which will reinforce the key role in underpinning security where public services handle personal data.
Following a review of the status of current information government initiatives, it was concluded that whilst Nestrans holds little personal data, there are a number of compliance tasks which must be addressed in a proportionate manner.
Privacy Policy
To ensure compliance with the regulations, Nestrans Privacy Policy has been updated to advise how data is stored and used by the organisation. A copy of this updated Policy has been displayed on the website and is attached to this report as Appendix A.
Recommendation
a) It is recommended that the Board approve the Data Protection Policy and Privacy Notice as implemented; and b) Note the contents of this report.
RD/TH/KW 31 May 2018
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Page 130 APPENDIX A
The Transport Partnership for Aberdeen City and Shire
GDPR Data Protection Policy and Privacy Policy
DATA PROTECTION POLICY
This is a statement of the Data Protection Policy adopted by NESTRANS, the North East Transport Partnership.
This policy is applicable to all personal data held by NESTRANS. It applies to all Members, Observers and employees of NESTRANS and to any contractors or agents performing work for or on behalf of NESTRANS.
NESTRANS is a partnership of Aberdeen City Council and Aberdeenshire Council. NESTRANS is responsible to Scottish Ministers for the formulation and delivery of a Regional Transport Strategy for the region bounded by the two Local Authorities.
NESTRANS needs to process certain types of data about people with whom it deals in order to operate (“personal data”). This includes current, past and prospective employees, suppliers, clients and customers, and others with whom it communicates.
In order to comply with the GDPR and the Data Protection Act 2018 (GDPR), NESTRANS must ensure that all personal data are securely stored and processed lawfully, however it is collected, recorded and used. Safeguards are in place to support compliance with the legislation and these are detailed below.
NESTRANS regards the safekeeping of all personal data as paramount to maintaining confidence between it and those with whom it deals. NESTRANS endeavours to fulfil all the requirements of the GDPR while remaining open and accessible by the public.
SCOPE
This policy is applicable to all personal data held by NESTRANS whether the information is held or accessed on NESTRANS premises or accessed remotely via mobile or home working or by using network access from partner organisations. Personal information held on removable devices and other portable media is also covered by this policy.
THE DATA PROTECTION PRINCIPLES
To that end, NESTRANS fully endorses and adheres to the six GDPR Principles set out below. These Principles are that personal data must be:
Nestrans Data Protection Policy May 2018 Page 131 Lawfulness, Fairness and Transparency • Personal data must be processed lawfully, fairly and in a transparent manner in relation to the data subject.
Purpose Limitation
• Personal data must be collected for specified, explicit and legitimate purposes and not further processed in a manner that is incompatible with those purposes (with exceptions for archiving purposes in the public interest, scientific or historical research purposes or statistical purposes). Data Minimisation • Personal data must be adequate, relevant and limited to what is necessary in relation to the purposes for which they are processed.
Accuracy
• Personal data must be accurate and, where necessary, kept up to date; every reasonable step must be taken to ensure that personal data that are inaccurate, having regard to the purposes for which they are processed, are erased or rectified without delay.
Storage limitation
• Personal data must be kept in a form which permits identification of data subjects for no longer than is necessary for the purposes for which the personal data are processed; personal data may be stored for longer periods insofar as the personal data will be processed solely for archiving purposes in the public interest, scientific or historical research purposes or statistical purposes, subject to implementation of appropriate technical and organisational measures in order to safeguard the rights and freedoms of the data subject.
Integrity and confidentiality
Personal data must be processed in a manner that ensures appropriate security of the personal data, including protection against unauthorised or unlawful processing and against accidental loss, destruction or damage, using appropriate technical or organisational measures.
Accountability
In addition, NESTRANS is responsible for, and must be able to demonstrate compliance with, the data protection principles listed above, in accordance with the principle of accountability. It must keep a full and accurate record of its personal data processing activities, e.g., the lawful basis for the processing in question, who is undertaking these activities and with what data, the results of any data protection impact assessment or data protection audit and details of any data breaches and actions taken.
Nestrans Data Protection Policy May 2018 Page 132 RESPONSIBILITIES
• The Partnership Director has specific senior responsibility for data protection within NESTRANS. The Partnership Director has responsibility for ensuring that the information under their control is collected, processed and held in accordance with this policy and the GDPR. • Transport Executive Travel Plan and Delivery is the designated Data Protection Officer for NESTRANS, advising on and monitoring NESTRANS’s compliance with GDPR and providing a point of contact for data subjects and the Information Commissioner’s Office. • All employees and elected members of the Regional Transport Partnership and any contractors or agents performing work for or on behalf of the Regional Transport Partnership and any other individuals with access to NESTRANS’s information have a responsibility to ensure that personal information is properly protected at all times. This requires continued compliance with the NESTRANS’s information policies, procedures and other guidance. • All users have a responsibility to report any observed or suspected breach of this Data Protection Policy or related information procedures and guidance. All incidents must be reported to the Data Protection Officer
WHAT NESTRANS WILL DO
To ensure compliance NESTRANS will, through appropriate management and strict application of criteria and controls;
• maintain appropriate and accurate transparency information (a privacy notice) on its website clearly signposted from any portals or forms which may collect personal data • meet its legal obligations to specify the purposes for which data is used • collect and process appropriate data, and only to the extent that it is required to fulfill operational needs or to comply with any legal requirements • ensure the quality of the data used • apply the retention policy set out in Nestrans Records Management Plan to determine the length of time the data is held • ensure that rights of people about whom data is held can be fully exercised under the GDPR. (these are described below) • ensure that materials are only distributed to corporate email addresses or to the personal email addresses of current board members, current forum members or individuals who have agreed/requested to receive them • ensure that the Data Protection Officer has sight of all new projects and business activities to consider whether data protection issues arise and to include Privacy By Design as appropriate; • take appropriate technical and organisational security measures to safeguard personal data; • ensure that personal data is not transferred outside the European Economic area without suitable safeguards.
Nestrans Data Protection Policy May 2018 Page 133 In addition, NESTRANS will ensure that:
• there is a designated Data Protection Officer for the organisation; • everyone managing and handling personal data understands that they are contractually responsible for following good data protection practice • everyone managing and handling personal data is appropriately trained do to so • anyone wishing to make enquiries about handling personal data knows what to do • queries about handling personal data are competently and courteously dealt with • methods of handling personal data are clearly described • an annual review and audit is made of the way personal data is managed • methods of handling personal data are annually accessed and evaluated; and • performance with handling personal data is regularly accessed and evaluated as part of Records Management Plan
If your information is being collected to use by Aberdeenshire Council for the following purposes: -
Payables: To allow Aberdeenshire Council to make payments to you, if and when they become due
Your information will be shared with the following recipients or categories of recipient
HM Revenue and Customs, National Fraud Initiative, Spikes Cavell, Sheriff Officers and Debt Collection Agencies and Department of Work Pensions
The Retention period for the data is: 7 years
Receivables: To allow Aberdeenshire Council to collect payments from you, if and when they become due.
Your information will be shared with the following recipients or categories of recipient
HM Revenue and Customs, National Fraud Initiative, Spikes Cavell, Sheriff Officers and Debt Collection Agencies and Department of Work Pensions
The Retention period for the data is 7 years. If legal action has been sought and a decree is granted, all information will be retained until the debt is paid in full.
Nestrans Data Protection Policy May 2018 Page 134 DATA RIGHTS
NESTRANS will ensure individuals’ rights are respected with regard to their personal data. Rights under GDPR include:
• anyone wishing to make enquiries about handling personal data knows what to do • queries about handling personal data are competently and courteously dealt with • methods of handling personal data are clearly described • a regular review and audit is made of the way personal data is managed • methods of handling personal data are regularly accessed and evaluated; and • performance with handling personal data is regularly accessed and evaluated. • the right to rectify or restrict inaccurate data • the right or erase data or to data portability in certain circumstances • the right to challenge processing reliant on legitimate interests or public interest • the right to make a complaint to the UK Information Commissioner.
All requests relating to GDPR rights must be directed to the Data Protection Officer and or Scottish Commissioner who will ensure that appropriate actions are taken, and a response issued without undue delay, and except in certain circumstances at least within one month
PERSONAL DATA BREACHES
Any incident which may impact on the confidentiality, integrity or availability of personal data held by NESTRANS must be reported immediately to the Data Protection Officer. Data Protection Officer will record the incident, ensure appropriate mitigation measures are in place and consider whether the incident is a personal data breach which presents a risk to individuals.
The Data Protection Officer will present a report to the Partnership Director including if appropriate, a recommendation on whether to report a breach to the Information Commissioner’s Office within 72 hours of NESTRANS becoming aware of the incident.
If the Partnership Director decides that an incident constitutes a reportable breach, the Data Protection Officer will report the incident to the ICO and liaise as appropriate. Affected data subjects may also require to be informed if there is a high risk to their rights and freedoms as a consequence of the data breach.
GENERAL
This document states NESTRANS’s primary, general policy with regard to Data Protection. NESTRANS also has policies, procedures and guidance, as appropriate, for specific types of data maintenance and data type. Additional data specific policies, procedures and guidance will be adopted as and when necessary.
REVIEW
This policy will be reviewed annually, along with our Records Management Plan take account of developments within NESTRANS and legislative requirements
Nestrans Data Protection Policy May 2018 Page 135
Use of personal data at NESTRANS
This document describes how NESTRANS uses personal data (information relating to individuals)
NESTRANS is a Data Controller (ICO Registration Number Z966516X) which means we are responsible in Law for how we use any personal information
Our Data Protection Officer, Kelly Wiltshire can be contacted with any concerns or requests relating to our use of personal data:
Kelly Wiltshire Transport Executive Travel Plan and Delivery Archibald Simpson House 27-29 King Street Aberdeen AB24 5AA
Telephone: 01224 346680 Email: [email protected]
Why does NESTRANS process personal data?
NESTRANS processes a minimal amount of personal data in the exercise of our official authority under the Transport (Scotland) Act 2005 including:
• Administration of the partnership • Development and publication of regional transport strategies • Consultation, promotion and communication on issues relating to sustainable and efficient transport in the partnership area • Administration of projects and grant schemes
NESTRANS also processes personal data relating to its staff to meet our legal obligations as an employer (including in connection with employment law, social security and social protection law) and for the performance of our contracts of employment with our staff. This may include processing some special categories of personal data such as health information.
What personal data does NESTRANS process?
The personal data NESTRANS processes includes:
• For the public: Names and contact details for individuals responding to consultations, raising concerns or complaints or attending events • For staff: Name and contact details, banking details for payroll management; performance and health information for employment administration and contract purposes • For suppliers and contractors: Names and contact details for the management of the supplier relationship; bank details of sole traders for the purposes of making payments
Nestrans Data Protection Policy May 2018 Page 136 • For Forum members, Consultative and other groups/meeting Nestrans chair/administer: Names and contact details for the administration of meetings and distribution and information on NESTRANS activities • For partnership board members: Name and contact details; banking details for payment of expenses; records of views expressed and of attendance at and contributions to meetings.
NESTRANS undertakes no automated decision making affecting individuals or profiling of personal data.
With whom will NESTRANS share personal data?
The following organisations will receive personal data as necessary from NESTRANS:
• Microsoft UK are data processors, hosting NESTRANS's IT systems on Microsoft Office 365 Version 2016 via Aberdeen City Council who manage our ICT • Partner local authorities or the Scottish Public Sector Ombudsman may receive data relating to complainants or correspondents where correspondence from the public should appropriately be redirected to the authority or SPSO • Aberdeenshire Council will receive personal data relating to employees and contractors for the purposes of the management of our payroll and for financial management, which they provide on our behalf • Aberdeenshire Council will receive personal data relating to staff and job applicants for the purposes of the human resources management support they provide on our behalf
NESTRANS will put appropriate written arrangements in place with these organisations to protect your personal data.
NESTRANS transfers no personal data outside the European Economic Area. Microsoft hosts data on our behalf on servers within the UK and the European Union.
How long does NESTRANS retain personal data?
Personal data is managed in line with our records retention policy (add Link). For example, consultation responses are retained for five years before being securely deleted.
Your Rights to personal data
You have the right to:
Request access to your personal data (commonly known as a “data subject access request”). This enables you to receive a copy of the personal data we hold about you and to check that we are lawfully processing it.
Request correction of the personal data that we hold about you. This enables you to have any incomplete or inaccurate data we hold about you corrected, though we may need to verify the accuracy of the new data you provide to us.
Nestrans Data Protection Policy May 2018 Page 137 Request erasure of your personal data. This enables you to ask us to delete or remove personal data where there is no good reason for us continuing to process it. You also have the right to ask us to delete or remove your personal data where you have successfully exercised your right to object to processing (see below), where we may have processed your information unlawfully or where we are required to erase your personal data to comply with local law. Note, however, that we may not always be able to comply with your request of erasure for specific legal reasons which will be notified to you, if applicable, at the time of your request.
Object to processing of your personal data where we are relying on a legitimate interest (or those of a third party) and there is something about your particular situation which makes you want to object to processing on this ground as you feel it impacts on your fundamental rights and freedoms. You also have the right to object where we are processing your personal data for direct marketing purposes. In some cases, we may demonstrate that we have compelling legitimate grounds to process your information which override your rights and freedoms.
Request restriction of processing of your personal data. This enables you to ask us to suspend the processing of your personal data in the following scenarios: (a) if you want us to establish the data’s accuracy; (b) where our use of the data is unlawful but you do not want us to erase it; (c) where you need us to hold the data even if we no longer require it as you need it to establish, exercise or defend legal claims; or (d) you have objected to our use of your data but we need to verify whether we have overriding legitimate grounds to use it.
Request the transfer of your personal data to you or to a third party. We will provide to you, or a third party you have chosen, your personal data in a structured, commonly used, machine-readable format. Note that this right only applies to automated information which you initially provided consent for us to use or where we used the information to perform a contract with you.
Withdraw consent at any time where we are relying on consent to process your personal data. However, this will not affect the lawfulness of any processing carried out before you withdraw your consent. If you withdraw your consent, we may not be able to provide certain products or services to you. We will advise you if this is the case at the time you withdraw your consent.
These rights are subject to certain caveats and exemptions under GDPR.
You will not have to pay a fee to access your personal data (or to exercise any of the other rights). However, we may charge a reasonable fee if your request is clearly unfounded, repetitive or excessive. Alternatively, we may refuse to comply with your request in these circumstances.
We may need to request specific information from you to help us confirm your identity and ensure your right to access your personal data (or to exercise any of your other rights). This is a security measure to ensure that personal data is not disclosed to any person who has no right to receive it. We may also contact you to ask you for further information in relation to your request to speed up our response.
We try to respond to all legitimate requests within one month. Occasionally it may take us longer than a month if your request is particularly complex or you have made a number of requests. In this case, we will notify you and keep you updated.
Nestrans Data Protection Policy May 2018 Page 138 To exercise these or any of your rights under GDPR, please contact the Data Protection Officer using the details above.
For more information on data rights see the website of the Information Commissioner’s Office.
Complaints or concerns relating to NESTRANS’ use of personal data
If you have any concerns relating to NESTRANS management of personal data, you can raise them with the Data Protection Officer, Kelly Wiltshire at the contact details above. If you remain dissatisfied you can complain to the Information Commissioner’s Office by phoning their helpline on 01334 464610, by using their online portal for raising concerns or by post at:
Scottish Information Commissioner Kinburn Castle Doubledykes Road St Andrews Fife KY16 9DS
Version 1 - 23 May 2018
Nestrans Data Protection Policy May 2018 Page 139
Privacy Policy We ensure that the data you supply to us is processed with skill and care and in accordance with the data protection act legislation and codes. We only allow access to your Personal Data to our staff and our appointed delivery agents. We take our responsibilities in respect of your Personal Data extremely seriously.
We are required by law to hold your Personal Data and Sensitive Personal Data for as long as is necessary to comply with our statutory obligations. We will use reasonable endeavours to ensure that your Personal Data and Sensitive Personal Data is maintained and up to date. You are under a duty to inform us of any and all changes to your Personal Data and Sensitive Personal Data to ensure that it is up to date.
Data Protection and Privacy
NESTRANS supports the objectives and principles of the Data Protection Act 1998. No personal data is obtained from this site without your knowledge or permission. Any information which is voluntarily submitted, either by email or through online forms, will be:
• processed fairly and lawfully; • obtained and processed only for lawful purposes; • adequate, relevant and not excessive; • accurate and, where necessary, kept up-to-date; • not kept for longer than is necessary; • processed with regard for the rights of the data subjects; • protected against unauthorised or unlawful processing and against accidental loss or damage; and • transferred only to countries with similar regulations in force.
Nestrans Data Protection Policy May 2018 Page 140 Agenda Item 5a
NORTH EAST SCOTLAND TRANSPORT PARTNERSHIP 20 JUNE 2018
5a HTAP Annual Report 2017-2018
Purpose of Report
The purpose of this report is to request that the Board note the Health & Transport Action Plan (HTAP) Annual Report for the financial year 2017-2018 and approve the recommendation that the report be presented to the three Community Planning Partnership Boards within Grampian. The report was approved by partners at the HTAP Steering Group held on 28th of May 2018.
Background
The Regional Transport Strategy identifies the need for more detailed sub-strategies, one of which is in relation to Health & Transport. An HTAP Steering Group consisting of representatives from Nestrans, NHS Grampian, three local authorities, Scottish Ambulance Service, Aberdeen Council of Voluntary Organisations (on behalf of the three Third Sector Interface bodies) and Aberdeenshire Integrated Health & Social Care Partnership (on behalf of three IH&SCP bodies) along with a Public Representative, oversees delivery of HTAP initiatives taken forward by two themed sub- groups. The work is supported by a full-time Programme Manager.
Annual Report 2017-2018
The Programme Manager has produced an Annual Report which is attached as Appendix A to this report. Members are asked to approve the report for their part and to request that it be presented to each of the three Community Planning Partnerships in the Grampian area.
Recommendation
It is recommended that the Board: a) Note the contents of this report and the HTAP Annual Report 2017-2018; and
b) Request that the report be forwarded to each of the Community Planning Partnerships.
AS/5 June 2018
1
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Page 142 GRAMPIAN HEALTH & TRANSPORT ACTION PLAN Annual Report 2017-2018
NHS Grampian
Page 143 1 Foreword from the Chair of the HTAP Steering Group I am pleased to present the Health & Transport Action Plan (HTAP) Annual Report for the financial year 2017-18. As Chair of the HTAP Steering Group, I would like to acknowledge the contributions made by partner organisations and individuals towards achieving the aims set out in the HTAP. Health and transport are intertwined concepts with various aspects of policy and service delivery being relevant. Whether it is in relation to ensuring equality of access to health and social care or promoting a healthier, safer and more sustainable society, there are many organisations involved in different ways. There is a great deal of good work being done to provide transport for people accessing health and social care and in relation to improving air quality, promoting active travel and reducing road traffic casualties. In supporting these areas of work, HTAP seeks to enable partner organisations to better co-ordinate efforts and foster new areas of partnership working to the benefit of our communities. Ensuring residents can access health and social care services and promoting positive outcomes in relation to transport impacts on public health is beneficial not just to individuals but also in terms of the broader long-term management of public resources. Supporting alignment between areas of work which share similar objectives is increasingly relevant as pressure on organisation budgets continue. We are also mindful that these issues do not fall evenly across the population and that at the heart of the Health & Transport Action Plan is a joint commitment to address health inequalities. It is with this in mind that organisations will, I hope, continue to increasingly work together and support the delivery of the HTAP. Gerry Donald, NHS Grampian (Chair of the HTAP Steering Group)
2 Page 144 Introduction The vision for transport and public health is: • For people in Grampian to choose to This annual report details progress made by travel by active modes such as walking and partner organisations in relation to the aims of cycling whenever appropriate and to have the Health & Transport Action Plan during the the ability to do so conveniently and safely, financial year 2017-2018. in order to improve activity levels and The purpose of the Health and Transport public health; Action Plan is: • For everyone in the region to live without “To enable providers of transport, health unacceptable risk to their health caused by and social care services to work together the transport network or its use. in a more co-ordinated manner in order to • The vision for access to health and social improve outcomes and efficiency of service care is: delivery, both in reducing the adverse impacts of transport choices on public health and in • For everyone in the region to be able to improving access to health and social care.” access the health and social care they need and if transport is required for this to be appropriate, convenient and affordable; • For the environmental impacts of journeys to be minimised. The HTAP document was reviewed and GRAMPIAN refreshed in 2014. The refreshed plan was then HEALTH & endorsed by the three Community Planning Partnership Boards in Grampian, the NHSG TRANSPORT Board and Nestrans Board. Annual Report 2017-2018 ACTION PLAN The purpose of this report is not to duplicate reporting of partner organisations’ delivery in respect of transport, public health and access, but to capture the main initiatives and developments supporting partnership working progressed by the HTAP group.
Governance Structure The current governance structure oversees the delivery of the HTAP. The Steering Group provides strategic oversight of the progress made towards the aims of the HTAP. The membership includes NHS Grampian senior representatives of NHS Grampian, Nestrans, Scottish Ambulance Service, Aberdeen City Council, Aberdeenshire 1 Council, Moray Council along with agreed representation from the third sector, Integrated Health & Social Care Partnerships and, importantly, a Public Representative.
Page 145 3 The Steering Group oversees two themed • People are resilient, included and sub-groups. supported when in need • Transport and Public Health Sub-Group • Empowered, resilient and sustainable • Access to Health & Social Care Sub-Group communities
Both sub-groups report to the Steering Group Aberdeenshire Community Planning quarterly providing updates on the work plan Partnership Priorities produced by each sub-group. Membership is drawn from a variety of appropriate partner • Changing Aberdeenshire’s Relationship organisations. with Alcohol The programme is supported by the • Reducing Child Poverty in Aberdeenshire Programme Manager. The post of Programme • Connected and Cohesive Communities Manager is jointly funded by NHSG and Nestrans and hosted by Aberdeenshire Council. Moray Council Community Planning Partnership Priorities Each year the HTAP Annual Report is submitted to the three Grampian Community The corporate vision of Community Planning Planning Partnerships. in Moray is: “to increase the quality of life and develop the well-being of everyone in Moray.” The strategic priorities, which have been identified to deliver the vision, have been sub-divided under the following seven themes: Community Planning Partnerships • Achieving a healthy and caring community HTAP Programme Manager • Achieving a safer community HTAP Steering Group
Sub Group
Project Groups
Alignment with Community Planning Partnerships The two visions set out by partners within the Health & Transport Action Plan can be linked to the priorities set by the three Community • Planning Partnerships (CPPs) within Grampian. Building stronger communities The following shows the priorities of the CPPs • Improving travel facilities, choices and with the priorities most aligned with the HTAP safety highlighted in bold. • Investing in children and young people Aberdeen City Community Planning • Protecting and enhancing the Partnership Priorities environment • Aberdeen prospers • Working for increased prosperity • Children are our future
4 Page 146 Progress commemorative cycle rack has been installed on the Foresterhill site. Transport & Public Health Individual local authorities, universities, NHS Grampian, Nestrans and others continue to The Transport & Public Health Sub-Group promote active and sustainable travel with meets quarterly and has a membership regular campaigns, including TV advertising, representing the three Local Authorities, cycling roadshows and the promotion of Nestrans the Regional Transport Partnership cycling maps. Local authorities continue and NHS Grampian’s Public Health Directorate. to make investment in walking and cycling Greater links to Health and Social Care infrastructure. One example of an initiative Partnerships are also being developed. all partner organisations participated in was the Sustrans-led Scottish Workplace Journey Public Health Input to Active Travel & Joint Challenge. Development of Getabout The sub-group continue to develop The Transport & Public Health Sub-Group co-ordination of partner activity in the areas has a remit of joint development of of active and sustainable travel, promote Getabout, a regional travel brand supporting awareness of health inequalities within the sustainable transport delivered by Nestrans planning of transport initiatives and facilitate and its partners. Managers representing knowledge sharing between Transport & Public Transportation from local authorities and Health professionals. NHS Grampian Public Health contribute to overseeing the development of Getabout, Travel Planning Pilot in a Health Setting identifying opportunities for partnership working and sharing expertise. The group Travel Plans are the main tool for promoting includes Moray Council, which sits within the sustainable travel and access at a site. They are HiTrans Regional Transport Partnership and a package of measures aimed at promoting use the HiTravel brand. All partners have the walking, cycling, public transport and car opportunity to share lessons from projects and sharing. Often a requirement of planning co-operate where possible. consent, Travel Plans are also encouraged on a voluntary basis across organisations. As a result of the increasing engagement with Public Health on transport related issues, As part of the Transport & Public Health there has been an increase in sustainable Sub-Group Work Plan, it was agreed to carry and active travel within NHS Grampian. This includes a successful bid by NHS Grampian for £38K funding from Cycling Scotland’s Cycle Friendly Employer Development Fund for improvements to cycle parking at Inverurie Hospital, Fraserburgh Hospital and Summerfield House, Aberdeen. In addition, the greater involvement of Public Health has resulted in a trial of two electric bikes as pool vehicles for staff based at Summerfield House and at Banff Hospital. NHS Grampian has also undertaken roadshow events promoting the Cycle2Work scheme offering staff discounts on the purchase of bicycles through salary sacrifice and free bicycle maintenance roadshows. A member out a joint pilot of Travel Planning in a health of the Public Health team is also developing a setting. The construction of a new Health Bicycle User Group for NHSG staff. and Care Hub in Inverurie on the grounds of A Glasgow Commonwealth Games Inverurie Hospital provided an opportunity
Page 147 5 for joint learning. A project group including usage target set for them. This trial is part representatives from NHS Grampian’s Asset of the wider H2 Aberdeen initiative which Management and Development team, promotes the development of a hydrogen Aberdeenshire Council, Aberdeen City Council economy in the Aberdeen City Region. and Nestrans worked together to finalise a NHS Grampian is also investigating options Travel Plan as part of the Planning process. around a low emission vehicle to utilise as part Drawing on lessons learned from the pilot, a of the NHSG Shuttle Bus Service operating guidance paper on Travel Planning for Health within Aberdeen. & Care Developments has been produced including, by way of example, the Travel Plan Road Safety for the Inverurie Health & Care Hub. It is hoped that the guidance will help with the promotion Reflecting the vision for the Transport & Public and development of Travel Plans for new Health Sub-Group, NHS Grampian Public health and care buildings. The guidance will be Health Directorate are members of Road Safety shared with NHS Highland who intend to build North East Scotland promoting partnership a new hospital in Aviemore. working on road safety issues. A “Travel to” guide for the Inverurie Health The number of people fatally injured on north & Care Hub is also being developed. The east roads is at its lowest level since current guide will help promote relevant information records began in 1974, provisional road regarding THInC, Taxicard, Passenger casualty data shows. Provisional statistics reveal Assistance cards, bus passes, local taxi and that during 2017, 14 people died as a result public transport services and promote walking of their involvement in a road traffic collision and cycling. It is hoped that the guide will in the combined local authority areas of become a template for other health and care Aberdeen, Aberdeenshire and Moray. facilities to adopt. Records show the highest number of casualties was in 1976, when 102 people died on north Air Quality east roads – almost two deaths every week. The previous lowest figure occurred more The work of the Transport & Public Health recently in 2011, when 22 people died during Sub-Group has included bringing together the year. relevant professionals from NHS Grampian’s Public Health Directorate and Aberdeen City Over a longer timescale, in the 17 years Council’s Environmental Health team to discuss between 2000 and 2016 more than 650 people air quality issues. died in north east collisions, but the figure has generally been decreasing, year-on-year, HTAP partners contributed to the Scottish during this period. Government consultation on Low Emission Zones. The Health & Transport Action Plan Road Map for Transport & Public Health agreed by Partner organisations forecast that the opening partners includes aims to ensure that joint of the Aberdeen Western Peripheral Route working on road safety issues continues to be will have a positive impact on air quality levels developed with an increased awareness across within Aberdeen City. all partners that road safety is a public health In support of reducing transport related issue. air pollution and carbon emissions, NHS Grampian has had five Toyota Mirai Fuel Going Forward Cell cars in operation for around 12 months operating as pool vehicles for staff. Powered The Transport & Public Health Sub-Group by hydrogen they are zero emission at point will continue to promote close working of use. The two vehicles based at NHS relationships between transport and public Grampian’s headquarters, Summerfield House health professionals over the coming year. have both passed the 10,000 miles annual
6 Page 148 Access to Health & Social transport providers we trust will treat patients with the same high level of care that we would Care provide. THInC clearly understand the pivotal The work plan for the Access to Health & role transport plays in allowing residents within Social Care Sub-Group focuses on improving Grampian access to crucial health and social information on available services, identifying care services, continuously making connections gaps in provision, supporting the community across organisations and improving processes.’ transport sector and piloting integrated Head of Scheduled Care, Scottish Ambulance transport solutions. Service
Hospital Discharge Hub THInC: In The City In May 2017, NHS Grampian and the Scottish THInC: In The City continues to provide a Ambulance Service held a workshop event popular service transporting residents to health regarding the benefits of improving transport and care appointments. An Options Appraisal in relation to hospital discharge. NHS report was commissioned by Nestrans and Grampian are giving consideration to the recommended the service continue. The viability of such a project within ARI. report helped inform the decision of Aberdeen Integrated Joint Board to continue funding the THInC (Travel to Health & Social Care project until 31st March 2019. Information Centre) The two wheelchair accessible vehicles THInC continues to provide travel advice and and drivers are provided by Buchan Dial-a- information for people attending health and Community-Bus and the bookings handled care appointments. The project is funded via THInC. Passenger consultation exercises by NHS Grampian, Nestrans, Aberdeen demonstrate a high level of passenger City Council and Aberdeenshire Council. Aberdeenshire Council’s Passenger Transport Unit provides the service on behalf of partners. Most callers are older people who are unable Need travel advice for to drive and do not meet the criteria for SAS’ attending health and Patient Transport Service. THInC is able to social care appointments? give comprehensive information on available transport services, including local charities, Talk to THInC community transport organisations, public Helping you get to transport and local authority Dial a Bus health and social care services. H Feedback from THInC users: P Bus “The staff are always polite & helpful - they Stop make you feel they “care”, so thank you for Contact us: the service.” ✆ 01467 536111 “Great service, fantastic staff.” [email protected] Feedback from partner organisation: ‘The work that THInC has carried out over the past few years is an example to other Regional Transport Partnerships in terms of what collaborative working can achieve. For In support of the Grampian Health and Transport Action Plan the Scottish Ambulance Service, it is essential www.thinc-hub.org that when we feel that a patient does not have a clinical need for Ambulance Assistance that we can signpost patients to alternatives
Page 149 7 satisfaction and desire for the service to attend Airyhall. Without this transport many continue. people would not be able to access use of the service, as many people do not have The Aberdeen Health & Social Care Partnership family members to transport them due to are investigating the issues around access to work commitments. Other people would not health and social care services and how to best attend if they had to use a taxi because of the meet the needs of service users and manage cost. I have found your staff to be very helpful the demand for transport to appointments and courteous when communicating about going forward. transport. The bus drivers have built up a great Feedback from service users: rapport with our service users.” “It is a wonderful service and would be greatly Manager, VSA, Airyhall missed if it ceased to operate.” “I have very bad health and use the mini Mid Deeside Health Transport Pilot bus very much. Don’t know what I would Mid Deeside Community Trust have secured do without it. The drivers are very kind and funding through the Marr Area Health & helpful.” Wellbeing Fund to deliver a small pilot “This is a fantastic service that you provide, it’s providing transport to Aboyne Hospital. The my lifeline - Thank You.” service will operate on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday each week. The funding makes “This service has made a huge difference to it possible for the charity to achieve greater our lives after a year of being housebound.” utilisation of their existing vehicle. The pilot Feedback from care provider: “It is invaluable to the service users who
8 Page 150 commenced on the 5th of February 2018. Getting to Foresterhill Health Campus The project directs residents to call the THInC Guide number to make bookings. The findings of the As part of the HTAP aim of promoting access pilot will be shared with partner organisations. to health care and sustainable travel, Nestrans Feedback from Mid Deeside Community Trust. and Aberdeen City Council, working in partnership with NHSG and bus operators have “We are delighted to be working in commissioned a redesign of the previously partnership with THInC as they give us published Travel to Aberdeen Royal Infirmary piece of mind that they are there to take Guide. the enquiries when we are not available. We offer accessible transport to and from The guide highlights advice being available Aboyne Medical Centre and Hospital and through THInC and services provided by First need an advice line during office hours. Their Aberdeen and Stagecoach as well as the professionalism and integrity are vital when NHSG Shuttle Bus. dealing with vulnerable passengers who need Once published, all partners will assist in friendly and helpful advice when they are often circulating the document. The new guide will going through difficult times. The support from be available in the summer of 2018. the THInC team during Mid Deeside Health Transport’s inception and operation has been invaluable.” Accessible Transport Summit Transport Co-ordinator for Mid Deeside As part of the work being done nationally Community Trust to deliver the Accessible Travel Framework, Disability Equality Scotland held an Accessible Transport Summit in Aberdeen on the 20th Audit Scotland Recommendations of March 2018. The event was hosted by The Audit Scotland report “Transport for Northlink Ferries and was attended by the Health and Social Care” (2011) recommended HTAP Programme Manager, the HTAP Public that Councils, NHS boards, Regional Transport Representative, representatives from Nestrans, Partnerships and the Scottish Ambulance Aberdeen Health & Social Care Partnership, Service should collate routine and accurate Stagecoach, Aberdeen Airport, groups data on the activity, cost (including unit costs) representing people with disabilities and and quality of services they provide and individuals. routinely benchmark performance and costs to The issues highlighted included disability ensure resources are used efficiently. awareness within the transport sector, HTAP partners have collated figures for hidden disabilities, staff training, accessible spending on transport for health and social infrastructure, accessible travel information, care and have undertaken to consider the accessible vehicles, the role of community spending in more detail and to report updated transport and the role of Access Forums. figures annually.
Page 151 9 Grampian Volunteer Transport Awards Daft As A Brush Cancer Patient Care The Health & Transport Action Plan recognises Following a letter to NHS Grampian Chief the role of the voluntary sector in supporting Executive, a meeting was arranged on residents to access health and social care. 11th of April 2018 and was attended by HTAP Partners have agreed to continue to HTAP Programme Manager, Nestrans and deliver the Grampian Volunteer Transport Aberdeenshire Council. Daft as a Brush Cancer Awards. The initiative has been well received Patient Care provided a very interesting by stakeholders and has helped promote position statement and a positive discussion increased awareness of the contribution made was held. in the region by volunteer drivers and escorts The charity was set up in 2010 with one vehicle to the transport system. and now operates 26 vehicles in Newcastle The biennial event will be hosted by Aberdeen upon Tyne utilising 350 volunteers to provide City Council in the Town House on 9th of 40,000 trips per year for patients accessing November 2018. The prizes for volunteers cancer treatment. They do this primarily have again been generously sponsored by First through fundraising and a nominal contribution Aberdeen and Stagecoach North East. The from the NHS. The service is free to patients. nominations process is planned to begin in The charity transports people from a large June 2018. geographic area to the services they need. It is a very close partnership with the NHS. Following the awards, promotional materials will be circulated recognising the role of The charity intend to meet with all the health volunteering in the community transport boards around the country as part of the two sector. Recruitment of new volunteers has been year coastal walk fundraising project but say highlighted as a challenge for the community they would like to do a Scottish pilot and will transport sector. consider where would work best. This will involve starting with a full time member of North East Rider Volunteers (NERVs) staff being recruited to develop a service and, initially, involve two vehicles. They plan to NHS Grampian is working with a new local hold a conference event in Newcastle around charity called North East Rider Volunteers August. (NERVs). The HTAP Programme Manager is engaging NERVs is a Scottish registered charity entirely with the charity to ensure that NHS Grampian made up of volunteers. The aim of the charity is well placed to be considered as a location is to provide a specialist motorcycle courier for an initial pilot in Scotland. service to NHS Grampian for a range of medical items. Known as a “Blood Bikes” charity, such organisations exist in other parts of the UK and provide valuable out of hours transport for urgent deliveries. Both organisations signed a Service Level Agreement on the 30th of April 2018 and commenced operations on 1st of May 2018.
10 Page 152 Conclusion Going forward, partners, whether public, further pilots and consideration of a NHS private or voluntary will continue to develop Grampian Discharge Hub. partnership working across a range of Partners will seek to further collaborate on transportation issues drawing together the transport issues impacting public health, expertise, resources and delivery in support of including sharing best practice and the our shared objectives. The purpose of which development of evidence based approaches. will be to address transport and public health issues and assist patients and service users in The full HTAP document is available on the our communities get to and from services and NHSG and Nestrans websites. For further in doing so assisting them to live better and information please contact Andrew Stewart, live longer. HTAP Programme Manager, 01467 537803 or [email protected] Partners will continue to develop THInC through a variety of strands, including an evaluation and option appraisal of THInC: Transport in the City, the identification of
Page 153 11 For further information please contact Andrew Stewart, HTAP Programme Manager, 01467 537803
The full HTAP document is available on the NHSG and Nestrans websites.
12 Produced by AberdeenshirePage Council 154 GDT24856 May 2018 12/06/2018 Regional Transport Strategy nestrans Progress Report Sub Strategy 1: The external connections strategy ® = MTS project Current Actions/ Progress Future Actions/ Progress Strategy Strand RTS actions Project/Action Progress Budget To be done Target Status EC1 - Rail Links and Services EC1a: East Coast Manifesto launched 15 July 2014. £3K Revenue in Contribution for membership Reducing journey Main Line 18/19 in 18/19 agreed. ↑ times to Authorities EC2EC1c: - Strategic RoadsHigh Speed Transport Sec approved plans for HSR route High Speed Rail Stakeholders ↑ EC2a: Aberdeen All project roads are now expected to be open to Contracting Authority to Completion 2018 Overcoming Western use in late Autumn 2018, however discussions continue to deliver packages of constraints on the Peripheral between Transport Scotland and Aberdeen Roads work to achieve the network that have Route - Limited are ongoing with respect to opening programme timescales. a direct impact on Balmedie to other phases in advance. The majority of travel to/from the Tipperty remaining works are very much weather Further information can be north east, such (AWPR-BT) ® dependent, however the risks associated with found at the project website: Page 155 Page as the A90 weather adding delay are reducing with the http://www.transportscotland.go through or around Summer season approaching. The Cement Bound v.uk/ road/aberdeen-western- Dundee and Granular Material (CBGM) and the Continuously peripheral-route/traffic- dualling the A96 management Reinforced Concrete Paving (CRCP) layers of the to Inverness. pavement construction have now been Press releases and tweets completed across the project, with the remaining continue to be published in asphalt surface course being progressed as and respect of planned works ↑ when suitable weather conditions prevail. Road affecting all the key road signage, markings, drainage and road restraint corridors. Every effort
system works continue in various areas, along continues to be made to Agenda Item 6a with planting and landscaping. A further section minimise disruption to road of new mainline carriageway between Foveran users and local communities and Balmedie has now opened to traffic and during construction by carrying further use of new carriageway lanes are out lane closures off-peak and expected here in the forthcoming weeks as part at weekends where possible. of ongoing traffic management in the area. The Contact and Education Space, located at the main site office (Stonehaven) remains open to the general public.
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AWPR-BT EC2a (contd) (contd) EC2a: Aberdeen Overcoming Western constraints on the Peripheral network that have Route - a direct impact on Balmedie to travel to/from the Tipperty north east, such (AWPR-BT) ® as the A90 through or around Dundee and dualling the A96 to Inverness.
12/06/2018 Regional Transport Strategy nestrans Progress Report Current Actions/ Progress Future Actions/ Progress Strategy Strand RTS actions Project/Action Progress Budget To be done Target Status Traffic continues to use a new section of mainline carriageway between Foveran and Tipperty. Traffic is also now using the new junctions at Balmedie and Blackdog. The temporary average AWPR-BT speed cameras and associated temporary speed EC2a (contd) (contd) limits on the A90 at Charleston and Stonehaven have now been removed. The average speed cameras at Balmedie have also been removed, however temporary speed limits remain in place between Murcar and Tipperty for the time being.
EC4 - Connections Movementby Sea STPR will identify shortfalls in STPR due 2008 ↔
Page 156 Page EC4b: Civitas - Portis Aberdeen City Council, Aberdeenshire Council, Nestrans received Nestrans continuing to work Improved access Nestrans, RGU, University of Aberdeen and half of grant up front with partners to progress the and facilities at Aberdeen Harbour Board have made a bid in £133K various work packages we ports and partnership with 4 other ports to the Civitas are involved with through interchange with programme. Grant will provide up to 100% funding Costs to end Civitas. ↑ passenger ferries. for measures and run for 4 years from Sept 2016. 2017/18 = £32.1K Nestrans has been awarded a notional budget of £260-270k over four years, within a total Aberdeen allocation of around £1.5million.
EC4b (contd)
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EC4b (contd) EC4b: Improved access and facilities at ports and 12/06/2018 Regional Transport Strategy nestrans interchange with Progress Report passenger ferries. Current Actions/ Progress Future Actions/ Progress Strategy Strand RTS actions Project/Action Progress Budget To be done Target Status Aberdeen AHB has received all the necessary consents in Construction underway for The north EC4b (contd) Harbour support of their expansion plans, namely from Aberdeen South Harbour. A breakwater is Transport Scotland, in the form of a Harbour Revision section of Greyhope Road scheduled to be Order, from Marine Scotland, as Marine Licenses, closed to the public from 17 completed by and from Aberdeen City Council as Planning April 2017 until the completion 2019, with Permission in Principle. It is estimated that the of construction works in June construction of development will generate an additional £1 billion per 2020. Aberdeen Harbour the South annum to the economy by 2035, and create an Board has announced the Breakwater to additional 7,000 equivalent jobs. Funding names of the four quays in commence in arrangements for the project incorporated the new port in honour of the 2018. commercial borrowing from the European Investment history and heritage of the Bank, and funding from the Aberdeen City & Region north-east of Scotland. ↑ Deal. Construction contract signed with Dragados Dunnottar Quay is to be the
Page 157 Page UK on 20 Dec 2016 for the £350 million project that 400 metre long east quay, will include 1,400 metres of new quay, with a water Crathes Quay the 175 metre depth of up to 10.5 metres and create an additional long south quay. Balmoral 125,000 square metres of lay-down area. Michelle Quay, the west quay, will be Handforth officially took over role as new Chief 300 metres long and Executive on 5 Feb 2018. Castlegate Quay, the north quay, will be 540 metres long.
EC4b (contd)
Page 3 of 6 EC4b: Improved access and facilities at ports and interchange with passenger ferries.
EC4b (contd)
12/06/2018 Regional Transport Strategy nestrans Progress Report Current Actions/ Progress Future Actions/ Progress Strategy Strand RTS actions Project/Action Progress Budget To be done Target Status Peterhead Plans have been unveiled for a £49M investment into Boskalis has awarded Work is due to Harbour Peterhead Harbour. The much larger fish market Peterhead Port Authority with a start later this and provision of covered landing areas, stores, contract to harbour the suction year, with the ice, boxes, water, fuel and all manner of repair bucket jacket foundations for port supporting services are substantially complete with the first Vattenfall’s 11-turbine European the installation auction in the new building in June 18 following Offshore Wind Deployment operations for at EC4b (contd) completion of 2nd phase of dredging works. The Centre in Aberdeen. The port least 4 months inner harbours will be deepened to 6.5m and a will moor one of the world’s and the offshore commitment to completing a further 100m of largest floating cranes and up to work expected deepwater berthing at Greenhill has been made. 6 barges that will transport the to take around 4- ↑ The necessary consents have all been obtained. 11 foundations, along with 2 6 weeks. Contract awarded to civil engineering contractor, supporting offshore construction McLaughlin & Harvey and dredging contractor, vessels. A project site office will
Page 158 Page Boskalis Westminster. Work commenced in be established at the harbour. October 2016 and should be substantially complete in April 2018. Further details on Port Authority's website Fraserburgh A grant of £7.57M has been announced from the Fraserburgh Harbour The masterplan Harbour European Fisheries Fund to deepen part of Commissioners have will take approx Fraserburgh Harbour to give access to more boats appointed specialist maritime 6 months to and improve local facilities. The major deepening consultants Fisher complete and project of the North Harbour Basin is now almost Associates to prepare a will include complete with the final works of achieving the masterplan for the harbour. strong identified water draft availability of -4.7m at chart The masterplan will comprise stakeholder datum expected to conclude in the early Spring of a strategic framework for the engagement ↑ 2015. This basin will be operational immediately physical development of the and a public post this. harbour over the next 20 consultation on years, to support growth in the Draft existing markets as well as Masterplan. facilitate access to new business EC4c: Support to Aberdeenshire Council has won funding from The focus in one of the key ↑
Page 4 of 6 12/06/2018 Regional Transport Strategy nestrans Progress Report Current Actions/ Progress Future Actions/ Progress Strategy Strand RTS actions Project/Action Progress Budget To be done Target Status EC4d: Scottish Ferries Final Plan published December 2012 with strategic S Gov undertaking a policy The MV Continue dialogue guidance for the provision of ferry services in review into the legal, policy and Hamnavoe, MV with the Scottish Scotland through to 2022. financial implications relevant to Hrossey and Government and future procurement of ferry MV Hjaltland, Northern Isles services. A deal has been which have ferry service agreed for the three previously operator to passenger ferries serving the been leased ensure continuing Northern Isles to be from Royal ↑ services from purchased outright by Bank of Aberdeen. Caledonian Maritime Assets Scotland, will Ltd (CMAL) with loan funding be taken into from the Scottish CMAL Government. ownership. Page 159 Page Northern Isles Following a hearing at the Court of Session, Serco On 24 May it was announced The Ferry Services appointed as operator of the Northern Isles Ferry that the next contract to procurement Services for a period of 6 years from 5 July 2012. An operate the Northern Isles process for the 18 month extension to the current Northern Isles Ferry Services will be put out next contract Ferry Services contract has been agreed to allow to tender following extensive will get further progress to be made with the ongoing consultation with key local underway in review of procurement policy under the extended stakeholders, consideration June, with a contract. Serco NorthLink Ferries will continue to of value for money issues view to making ↑ operate the services until 31st October 2019. and further correspondence the award in from the European Summer 2019. Commission on the possibility of making a direct contract award to an in-house provider.
Page 5 of 6 12/06/2018 Regional Transport Strategy nestrans Progress Report Current Actions/ Progress Future Actions/ Progress Strategy Strand RTS actions Project/Action Progress Budget To be done Target Status EC5 - Connections by Air EC5a: New / improved VLM Airlines began 3 weekly return flights from 4 The TUI Summer 2018 flying Support routes June 2018 between Aberdeen and Antwerp, programme has started with expansion of Belgium. Return flights on mondays will be flights to to Corfu, Dalaman, direct direct from Aberdeen, whilst those on Ibiza, Gran Canaria, Majorca, destinations from Wednesdays and Fridays will route via Reus and Tenerife operating Aberdeen and Birmingham, where there will be a 30min from Aberdeen International frequency of turnaround. Airport popular services. Aberdeen Details of a £20 million investment in the airport over British Airways unveiled their Taking effect International the next 3 years were unveiled during a visit by the new lounge in the airport on from 1st June Airport First Minister on 1 Feb 2016. This will allow a 50% 16 May as part of their £4.5bn this decision is Improvements increase in the size of the terminal building and investment plan over the next partially in
Page 160 Page include the creation of two new passenger lounges, five years, including the response to an expanded baggage reclaim area, a new security installation of the best quality customer search area, new immigration facilities and new retail WiFi and power in every seat, feedback. As and catering facilities within the main departures fitting 128 long-haul aircraft part of the lounge. This will see the construction of a 2 storey with new interiors and taking change the extension to the south of the existing terminal, delivery of 72 new aircraft. airport will be making space for new arrivals and immigrations Aberdeen International making further facilities, and new business lounges on the upper Airport has taken the improvements level. ↑ decision to take the to the service management of its taxi by investing in contract in-house in the taxi waiting conjunction with its current facilities in the car park management coming months company APCOA. This decision will allow the airport to actively manage this important passenger facing service more closely. EC5b: The 124m runway extension at Aberdeen Airport was ↑
Page 6 of 6 12/06/2018 Regional Transport Strategy nestrans Progress Report Sub Strategy 2: The internal connections strategy ® = MTS project Current Actions/ Progress Future Actions/ Progress Strategy Strand RTS actions Project/Action Progress Budget To be done Target Status IC1 - Rail IC1a: Aberdeen to On 28 March 2014 First Minister announced £170 The project closed the line Seek to secure Inverness million scheme of works, to be completed over the between Aberdeen and Dyce an increased Improvements next five years. This includes redoubling of most of for 14 weeks from 12 May - 20 frequency of the track between Aberdeen and Inverurie, platform Aug 2018. Inverness- services between extensions to accommodate six-car trains at Insch Aberdeen train services Inverurie- and Elgin and infrastructure to allow for new stations terminate at Dyce where Aberdeen- at Kintore and Dalcross. BAM was appointed by replacement buses then ↑ Stonehaven and Network Rail on 16 Oct 2015 for the upgrade of the operate to Aberdeen. Details improved Aberdeen-Inverness line. of the replacement bus times services to are published on the ScotRail Inverness. website. Page 161 Page Inverurie town Network Rail has initiated railway industry clearance Remaining grant at The additional 36 parking bays, Project to be interchange ® procedures with a view to making land available for start 2018/19 = improvements to surfacing, delivered once the Inverurie Transport Interchange. Once complete, £314.3K layout and lighting were land no longer work can start to remove the railway sidings and a completed in mid December being used for phased delivery of the new Interchange. £500K 2017. Aberdeen to ↑ outstanding ITF funding advanced to Nestrans and Inverness rail later passed to AC to retain in a ring-fenced account. improvement works IC1b: Laurencekirk Final invoice for car park received by Nestrans and Invoiced 2009-2011 Evaluation of Laurencekirk Rail ↑ Proposed new station at Kintore and further development of the rail system to be set out in the Rail Action Plan, including improvements to the accessibility of existing stations
Page 1 of 25 12/06/2018 Regional Transport Strategy nestrans Progress Report Current Actions/ Progress Future Actions/ Progress Strategy Strand RTS actions Project/Action Progress Budget To be done Target Status IC1b: Kintore Station Included within GRIP3 report on Aberdeen - £200K budget in Garioch Area Cttee to Aim to Proposed new ® Inverness line improvements to be delivered by 2019. 2017/18 (with £837K consider planning application complete final station at Kintore Bid submitted to Scottish Stations Fund and award of delay draw down to for car park and access roads stages of land and further 60% of the £12.2M project cost agreed. Nestrans 2018/19) on 19 June. The granting of acquisition development of and AC have committed to fund the remainder. this consent will facilitate the process by end the rail system to Geotechnical survey successfully completed. Other Invoiced to end final stages of the land Oct and design be set out in the surveys now completed include transportation report, 17/18 = £229.7K acquisition process, with the of junction and Rail Action Plan, noise report, flood and drainage, tree survey, aim to complete this by end footway including ecology. Final 3D design and cross sections etc Oct 2018. Design improvements improvements to produced. Agreement from Transport Scotland that £1.837M in 2018/19 commission let to WSP for during summer the accessibility funding in CP5 control period can be carried onto (comprising of the pre-construction design with tender and of existing CP6, due to the delays in implementation of the main £837K delay draw of the junction and footway construction in stations A2I works. Land in the control of Scottish Ministers down from 17/18 improvement of the Autumn 2018.
Page 162 Page but required for the scheme has been acquired by and £1M allocation U242C/Northern Road. Ongoing voluntary purchase. in 18/19) Network Rail are progressing discussions GRIP Stage 5 design on the with Network ↑ Platform element, alongside Rail and the second phase of rail Transport works (Dyce – Inverurie). Scotland As final spend in 17/18 regarding the exceeded remaining budget required an adjustment of -£29.7K to implementation the approved delay draw agreement for down to 18/19 is proposed in the separate budget matters construction report. works programmed for Summer 2019
Page 2 of 25 IC1b: Proposed new station at Kintore and further development of the rail system to be set out in the Rail Action Plan, including improvements to the accessibility of existing stations
12/06/2018 Regional Transport Strategy nestrans Progress Report Current Actions/ Progress Future Actions/ Progress Strategy Strand RTS actions Project/Action Progress Budget To be done Target Status Dyce Station Nestrans commissioned a study in 2015 to consider £20K Capital delay Brief to be developed and Draft brief to be options to increase parking at Dyce Station. Funding draw down to tendered for consultancy developed over allocated for consultancy work to prepare a bid to the 2018/19 support to liaise with ACC, summer in Scottish Stations Fund towards the construction costs ScotRail and Network Rail/TS to partnership of additional parking. develop proposals for a car with ACC staff. ↑ park extension and develop a bid to the Scottish Stations Fund. Insch Station Consultancy study to be commissioned to assess £25K Capital delay Draft brief to be developed and Full details of options for improving access at Insch station. draw down to agreed with Network Rail/TS. the bid within 2018/19 Bid submitted to the Local the information Rail Development Fund for bulletin. ↑ match funding of the
Page 163 Page Nestrans budget. Southern Consultancy study to be undertaken to look into £30K Capital delay Aecom appointed and Consultation Stations Car future forecasts for station usage in the Mearns area draw down to inception meeting held 28 and Park Study (Laurencekirk, Stonehaven and Portlethen) and 2018/19 March. Rail passenger use, engagement consider options for car park extensions if required. boarding and alighting and ongoing. Invoiced to date = car parking occupancy £13.2K surveys completed in late ↑ April. Consultants met with K&M Community Council Forum on 24 May. Local Rail A new Local Rail Development Fund was announced Any stakeholder organisation Nestrans Development on 22 February 2018. The £2 million Scottish with a responsibility or interest application Fund Government fund will be available from April 2018 to in local transport issues, such submitted for develop community led options to improve local rail as local authorities, Regional funding connections. Transport Partnerships and towards local interest groups can apply assessing for a new project or to assist options for with appraisal work already improving under development access to Insch Station Portlethen New ticket vending machine installed and operational Additional stop in Portlethen in Page 3 of 25 12/06/2018 Regional Transport Strategy nestrans Progress Report Current Actions/ Progress Future Actions/ Progress Strategy Strand RTS actions Project/Action Progress Budget To be done Target Status IC1d: Fraserburgh - Budget approved to undertake multi-modal study for £15K Capital in Additional appraisal published Investigate, in line Peterhead to the Aberdeen to Buchan corridor to consider the 2017/18 with £35K on Nestrans website and with the principles Aberdeen feasibility, costs and benefits of options, including delay draw down to findings referred to Councils of STAG, the strategic new rail lines. Study awarded to SIAS in partnership 2018/19 and Transport Scotland. Delay feasibility, costs transport with Peter Brett Assoc and Natural Capital. Funding draw down of remaining funding and benefits of corridor study contribution of £25K provided by TS in 2015/16. Invoiced to end approved to enable further rail new railway lines STAG part 1 assessment published on Nestrans 17/18 = £14.7K appraisal to continue into to expand rail website and referred to Councils. Two further pieces 2018/19. Aecom ↑ provision in the of work commissioned to provide further background £35K Capital in commissioned to investigate north east. evidence to assist with future consideration of which 2018/19 rail requirements between elements be progressed to STAG Part 2 appraisal. Aberdeen and Dyce and Ellon optimistic scenario sensitivity. Work ongoing. Page 164 Page IC2 - Road Improvements IC2a: StrategicHaudagain PhaseStag2 Report3 consists finalised of further June nodes 08 and along Board the agreed A956 £175K Capital in AdditionalTransport Scotlandbudget previously announced An advance site ↑ Strategic Roads Network Wellington Road and King Street corridor and the 17/18 approved as traffic Capacity Monitoring A944 Westburn Road/Lang Stracht corridor. ACC management and civils more improvements – successfully attracted approx £60K additional funding Invoiced to end expensive than anticipated. ↑ tackling through ERDF that will fund 6 additional sensor 2017/18 = £177.9K Works complete. constraints at A90 nodes. Ellon - Peterhead, dualling of the A96 (as identified in the IIP), Haudagain junction, Access to Aberdeen from the south, and at other junctions serving Aberdeenshire towns.
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IC2a (contd) IC2a: Regional Transport Strategy nestrans Strategic12/06/2018 Roads Progress Report Capacity improvements – Current Actions/ Progress Future Actions/ Progress tacklingStrategy Strand constraintsRTS actions at A90 Project/Action Progress Budget To be done Target Status Ellon - Peterhead, Traffic Signal Replacement of the Remote Monitoring System £305K Capital in Current comms and dualling of the Monitoring (RMS) that only allows for dial-up monitoring 2018/19 proposed comms being A96 (as identified and Control activities . Upgrading all the remaining sites on considered and sites to be in the IIP), Upgrade this architecture,124 units in Aberdeen and 31 in upgraded are being Haudagain Aberdeenshire, would allow for improved identified. junction, Access monitoring and fault finding to be carried out and to Aberdeen from give the ability to carry out alterations to the the south, and at operation of the traffic signals in a more other junctions proactive manner. In additional it would provide ↑ serving the potential for corridors not currently operating Aberdeenshire under SCOOT/UTC control to be brought under towns. control to improve public transport operations and facilities for pedestrians and cyclists. Page 165 Page Propose to split project over 2 years and current budget allows upgrade of almost 50% of sites.
Queen's Road Commissioning of a consultant to project £125K Capital in The business case and SCOOT manage all works required to upgrade the traffic 2018/19 tender documentation have Corridor signal installations on Skene Road/Queen's Road, been produced. Tenders to between the Crematorium and Springfield Road be returned and assessed by IC2a (contd) in order to bring them under SCOOT/UTC (Split end June. Cycle Offset Optimisation Technique/Urban ↑ Traffic Control) control. This will aim to improve the traffic signal network efficiency in this region and seek to improve the reliability of public transport on this corridor.
Digital Completion of the final stage of the UTC £50K Capital in Current comms and Communicatio communication upgrades to allow the removal of 2018/19 proposed comms being ns Migration the obsolete Tele12 module from Woodhill House. considered and sites to be This will align all UTC and SCOOT operated upgraded are being ↑ signals to current communication provision and identified. enable them to be fit for future technologies.
Page 5 of 25 IC2a: Strategic Roads Capacity improvements – tackling constraints at A90 Ellon - Peterhead, dualling of the A96 (as identified in the IIP), Haudagain junction, Access to Aberdeen from the south, and at other junctions serving Aberdeenshire towns.
IC2a (contd)
12/06/2018 Regional Transport Strategy nestrans Progress Report Current Actions/ Progress Future Actions/ Progress Strategy Strand RTS actions Project/Action Progress Budget To be done Target Status Variable The third phase of Variable Message Sign (VMS) £10.8K Capital in The Contractor (SWARCO) Awaiting Message Signs - deployment aims to capture locations where decision 17/18 with £154.2K has now submitted an confirmation Phase 3 points arise in relation to the AWPR. This funding delay draw down to updated programme of works from Transport would provide an additional three signs to be 2018/19 and traffic management Scotland that deployed to capture decision points for routing onto proposals for each site for they are the AWPR once opened. It will also allow advertising Invoiced to end checking and approval. content with of Park and Ride locations where appropriate. 17/18 = £10.8K Discussions ongoing with the foundation Following 3 indicative sites identified: A90 Ellon Road AWPR team regarding the designs and sbd, just south of roundabout at B&Q, A947 £154.2K Capital in VMS on the A947 Oldmeldrum wind loading ↑ Newmachar to Dyce Road, sbd, prior to AWPR 2018/19 Road as concerns now raised calculations junctions and A93 ebd, prior to AWPR junction. regarding the intended previously Permission granted for signs within TS and AC road location being close to a submitted to boundaries. ACC bus lane enforcement monies have recently installed advance them.
Page 166 Page been identified for the procurement of 3 additional direction sign that hadn't VMS. previously been highlighted.
IC2b: B9119Safety Queen’s TwoRoad pedestrian Safety Forum crossings to take at forward the Queens a single Cross Casualty £25K Capital in All works completed and ↑ Strategic Roads Cross Roundabout (Queens Road and Carden Place) have 2017/18 invoiced. Safety pedestrian been the location of child pedestrian injury accidents. improvements – crossing It is proposed to provide additional and updated Invoiced to end alignment and upgrades infrastructure at these locations to highlight the 17/18 = £25K ↑ junction crossings to drivers, reducing red light running, and improvements on make a safer environment for pedestrians. A90 south including at Laurencekirk. Overtaking, junction and alignment improvements on A90 north and A96. Route Action on A92, A93, A944, A947
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IC2b (contd) IC2b: Strategic Roads Safety Regional Transport Strategy nestrans improvements12/06/2018 – Progress Report alignment and junction Current Actions/ Progress Future Actions/ Progress improvementsStrategy Strand on A90RTS southactions Project/Action Progress Budget To be done Target Status including at A947 Route Further budget approved for 2017/18 to continue £25K Capital in As final spend in 17/18 was Both elements Laurencekirk. Action delivery of road safety improvements. Aecom 2017/18 with £55K less than the remaining of work are Overtaking, commissioned in 2016/17 to look at opportunities delay draw down to budget an adjustment to being junction and such as overtaking lanes and junction improvements 2018/19 increase the approved delay undertaken alignment and develop a series of statements from the Action draw down to 18/19 by £1.15K within the improvements on Plan. Night time audit of any missing road studs and Invoiced to end is proposed in separate wider remit of A90 north and average speed camera case studies undertaken and 17/18 = £23.8K budget matters report. the AC Member A96. Route will help determine programme for 2017/18. Consultant to be Officer Working Action on A92, Delivery of Action Plan to be progressed and £150K Capital in commissioned to look at Group which A93, A944, A947 business cases developed for individual schemes 18/19 (comprising outline design of 2 identified has been along the corridor. ↑ of £55K delay draw junctions in the Route Action established to down from 17/18 Plan ie A947/B993 look at the and £95K in 18/19) Whiterashes and A947/A920 A947 Route Page 167 Page South of Oldmeldrum. Improvement Further works to be Strategy. commissioned to review the rationale/case for change relating to the laybys and overtaking lane. Reflective Road A92 / A90 Lower Northwater Bridge £1.68K Capital in Request for delay in draw Studs 2018/19 down previously approved to A944 / B993 to A97 £28.6K Capital in allow works that had been 2018/19 delayed due to wet weather to A97 / A944 to Formartine £17.6K Capital in be completed in April. Works 2017/18 now complete and awaiting Invoiced to end final measure 17/18 = £17.6K IC2b (contd) £30.8K delay draw down to 2018/19
Page 7 of 25 IC2b: Strategic Roads Safety improvements – alignment and junction improvements on A90 south including at Laurencekirk. Overtaking, junction and alignment improvements on A90 north and A96. Route Action on A92, A93, A944, A947
12/06/2018 Regional Transport Strategy nestrans Progress Report
IC2b (contd) Current Actions/ Progress Future Actions/ Progress Strategy Strand RTS actions Project/Action Progress Budget To be done Target Status Embankment A93 Nether Knox. Works will involve the installation £85K Capital in Aberdeenshire Council Reconstruction of 90 metres of gabion baskets to support the road 2017/18 undertook works. Works (Gabions) embankment which is subsidising. Area Committee Invoiced to end complete. Reduced expenditure has approve programme. 2017/18 = £79.1K as works done from roadside, which reduced the need to remove and rebuild fencing in farmers field. Also ground ↑ conditions were favourable which removed the need to excavate large amounts of earth to find a suitable formation level. IC2d: A947Trunk Millroad of ResurfacingBear to undertake £80K of maintenance £81.8K Capital in Works wereto begin undertaken 23 Jan for by a ↑
Page 168 Page Prioritised Kingoodie 2017/18 Leiths and are now complete. maintenance for Bends Phase 2 Invoiced to end Invoiced in full. ↑ strategic routes, 17/18 = £84.7K with particular A947 Lower Resurfacing £97.02K Capital in Works were undertaken by benefits for public Woodton to 2017/18 Leiths and are now complete transport and Birkenhills Invoiced to end and invoiced in full. ↑ sustainable 17/18 = £96.3K modes. A93 Bridge of Surface Dressing £73.86K Capital in Works undertaken using in- Canny to Sluie 2017/18 house resources by Invoiced to end Aberdeenshire Council. ↑ 17/18 = £76.7K Invoiced in full.
A947 Surface Dressing £20.6K Capital in Works carried out by Measurement Newmachar 18/19 Aberdeenshire Council as to be Gateway North part of the Garioch Surface processed in Dressing / Resurfacing accordance ↑ A944 surface Dressing £14.4K Capital in Programme with AC's Craigenlow 18/19 costing East timescales
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IC2d (contd) IC2d: Prioritised maintenance for strategic routes, with particular benefits for public transport and sustainable modes.
12/06/2018 Regional Transport Strategy nestrans Progress Report Current Actions/ Progress Future Actions/ Progress Strategy Strand RTS actions Project/Action Progress Budget To be done Target Status Dyce Drive Various locations - Resurface Carriageway - £112.3K Capital in Site surveys to be undertaken Patching 18/19 ↑
Union Street Bus lane resurfacing £60K Capital in Site surveys to be undertaken 18/19 ↑ AWPR Signage Developing signing strategy and preliminary design of £1.5K Capital in New signs complete and sitting Erection of IC2d (contd) in Aberdeenshire strategic signage. Full list of signs requiring 17/18 with £12.5K at Inverurie Sign Shop. Delays signs now amendment or replacement being drawn up, but not delay draw down to to the completion of anticipated to expected be as extensive as anticipated as signage 2018/19 construction of the AWPR take place at main junctions included within the AWPR contract. have resulted in the signage during the 2nd Invoiced to end works being deferred. quarter of ↑ 17/18 = £1.5K 2018/2019
Page 169 Page financial year. £12.5K Capital in 2018/19
Page 9 of 25 12/06/2018 Regional Transport Strategy nestrans Progress Report Current Actions/ Progress Future Actions/ Progress Strategy Strand RTS actions Project/Action Progress Budget To be done Target Status IC2e: Roads Report on roads hierarchy proposals prepared to £200K Capital in A client group has been set Tenders to be Support Local Hierarchy ACC Full Council on 11 May 2016. It suggested 2018/19 up with officers from returned by 12 Authorities in Review principles to manage the transport network to Aberdeen City Council, noon on 22 bringing forward distribute traffic across the City and to/around the Nestrans, Aberdeenshire June and LTS projects that centre to maximise use of the AWPR, direct traffic to Council and SDPA. Draft assessed on a contribute to most appropriate routes and enable good access to brief agreed and issued using 80/20 strategic the City Centre with appropriate priority for active and Scotland Excel framework on quality/cost objectives sustainable modes to meet the need to reduce city 1 June for consultancy work basis. Aim to centre traffic levels to enable the transportation and to develop options of a roads award project public realm objectives of the City Centre Masterplan hierarchy to make best use of on week to be delivered. Council resolved to approve the the AWPR and facilitate beginning 2 proposed principles for the future distribution and ↑ implementation of the City July 2018. management of traffic across the city, following the Centre Masterplan.
Page 170 Page opening of the Aberdeen Western Peripheral Route; and instructed officers to engage with stakeholders on the proposed framework and intended hierarchy including an online consultation. Consultation results reported to CHI Cttee in August 2017 who agreed the central Roads Hierarchy Principles set out within the report and instructed the development of the detailed roads hierarchy.
IC2e (contd)
Page 10 of 25 IC2e: Support Local Authorities in bringing forward LTS projects that contribute to strategic objectives
12/06/2018 Regional Transport Strategy nestrans Progress Report Current Actions/ Progress Future Actions/ Progress Strategy Strand RTS actions Project/Action Progress Budget To be done Target Status City Region CRD funding being used to meet costs of upgrade to Invoiced to 2014 base model and forecast Model being Deal (CRD) strategic Aberdeen Sub Area Model (ASAM) Nestrans by end models for 2017,2022, 2027, used for the commissioned by Nestrans to ensure it provides a 17/18 and 2032 and 2037 completed. Cumulative suitably robust basis for transport and land use recharged to CRD = Draft Model Development Transport appraisal. Systra appointed to upgrade model £258.4K Report prepared and has Appraisal to following a competitive tender through Scotland been reviewed by client inform the Excel. group with comments SDPA returned prior to audit being Proposed Plan completed by Aecom. and ↑ Transport Scotland applications managing requests for being received IC2e (contd) access to model through for information Latis framework with from the model Page 171 Page Nestrans being contacted to for a number of grant formal approval. other studies.
Strategic Strategic Transport Appraisal agreed as part of the All initial engagement on Further details Transport City Region Deal. Transport Scotland arranged problems, opportunities, issues in separate Appraisal procurement and Jacobs appointed to undertake and constraints completed. Strategic appraisal. Further Member workshop Transport held 1 June to seek input to Appraisal ↑ objectives before referring report on them to Councils for agenda approval.
Page 11 of 25 IC2e: Support Local Authorities in bringing forward LTS projects that contribute to strategic objectives
IC2e (contd)
12/06/2018 Regional Transport Strategy nestrans Progress Report Current Actions/ Progress Future Actions/ Progress Strategy Strand RTS actions Project/Action Progress Budget To be done Target Status Development STF Supplementary Guidance was adopted by the £50K Revised Systra appointed to undertake Cumulative Plans Strategic Development Planning Authority (SDPA) on budget in 2017/18 the cumulative transport transport 25 June and ratified by both Councils before coming assessment using ASAM14 to appraisal into force on 28 Aug 2015. STF payments to date Invoiced to end identify the impacts on the works ongoing given in budget matters report. Decision of the Court 17/18 = £48.9K transport network resulting from and being in respect of the challenge by Elsick Development Co the proposed Strategic prioritised to Ltd was published on 29 April 2016. The Court Development Plan and to meet the upheld the appeal and quashed the Supplementary £85K delay draw identify what additional timescales of Guidance. SDPA granted leave to appeal to the down to 2018/19 infrastructure would be required reporting a Supreme Court. Hearing held on 13 June 2017. to facilitate the scale of Proposed Plan ↑ Judgement announced 25 Oct and subject of development. Draft early to the SDPA separate STF report. outcomes report submitted and Board in has been used to inform the August.
Page 172 Page draft Main Issues Report. Nestrans staff being consulted by SDPA regarding preparation of a Proposed Plan. IC2f: Develop and River Dee link. Bridge of Dee Stag Part 2 £31K Revenue in Further investigations to be Strategic road implement commissioned . ACC approved contribution of 2017/18 undertaken following settling improvements to mitigation £150K towards study in 2015/16 using surplus from of traffic patterns after mitigate the measures the Bus Lane Enforcement System in 2014/15. Draft Invoiced to end opening of AWPR. cumulative impact STAG part 2 assessment reported to ACC's CHI on 17/18= £26.3K of development 24 Jan and is published on ACC website. Committee agreed to review the concepts at a suitable period £10K in 2018/19 after the opening of the AWPR to enable any changes in traffic patterns to be accurately assessed ↑ and to the indicative costs being brought up to date. It was also agreed that officers look into the option of a 4 lane rather than a 6 lane bridge, but based on the modelling predictions of significant congestion it was agreed not to progress investigation into 4 lane option further.
Page 12 of 25 12/06/2018 Regional Transport Strategy nestrans Progress Report Current Actions/ Progress Future Actions/ Progress Strategy Strand RTS actions Project/Action Progress Budget To be done Target Status IC3 - Bus Improvements IC3a: Bus stop Provision of raised kerbs at 45 bus stops on key £165K Capital in Preparatory works largely Specifications Quality bus improvements transport corridors in Aberdeen and 5 new 2018/19 complete including to be corridor replacement bus shelters on Great Western Road confirming electric sources ie completed and improvements to and North Deeside Road. capabilities of street lighting issued for services and and SSE. Potential sites tender. facilities. inspected to confirm priority ↑ ranking. Raised kerb works specifications being drafted. Discussions underway with procurement services.
IC3b: Locking in the Appraisal and development of improvements that can £50K Rev in 2017/18 Initial draft report on STAG part
Page 173 Page Review and AWPR benefits - be made to 'lock in" the benefits for bus routes and 1 assessment submitted for continue to Wellington active travel due to traffic reductions predicted as a Invoiced to end client review and comments deliver the Bus Road Multi- result of AWPR. This will include consideration of 2017/18 = £50.5K returned. Consultant preparing Action Plan to Modal Corridor road hierarchy proposals post AWPR and final draft for reporting. As final improve quality Study information given on this separately at IC2e above. £100K in 2018/19 spend in 17/18 exceeded ↑ and reliability of Aecom commissioned to undertake STAG part 1 (incl £32.5K delay remaining budget an services and set study for Wellington Road corridor. draw down from adjustment of -£0.5K is out proposals for 17/18) proposed in separate budget extending bus report. priority measures. New e- Replacement system that will provide better £160K Capital in Works ongoing to prepare the scheduling routing information and have reduced 2018/19 tender documentation, in system maintenance costs in future advance of this going out to Tender through Public Contract Scotland. Andrew Fish Consultancy has been ↑ commissioned to provide support and information on criteria to be built into the tender specification. Bus Lane Scottish Statutory Instruments required to £200K Capital and Charge notices now being sent ↑
Page 13 of 25 12/06/2018 Regional Transport Strategy nestrans Progress Report Current Actions/ Progress Future Actions/ Progress Strategy Strand RTS actions Project/Action Progress Budget To be done Target Status IC3c: Aberdeen Feasibility study to investigate ways to maximise £61K Revenue in STAG Part 2 appraisal tendered Data requested Explore the Cross City connectivity between new developments in the 17/18 and PBA consultants appointed. from ASAM options for rapid Transport Aberdeen Local Development Plan. Contract Study ongoing and options model for transit in the Connections awarded to Sias, Peter Brett Associates and Invoiced to end being appraised against study. longer term Energising Environments. The Pre-Appraisal report 17/18 = £85.3K STAG criteria. As final spend through the Bus has been finalised and published on the ACC in 17/18 exceeded remaining ↑ Action Plan. website. STAG part 1 appraisal reported to ACC CHI £100K in 2018/19 budget an adjustment of - Committee in May and approved. (incl £29K delay £24.3K is proposed in draw down from separate budget report. 2017/18) IC3d: EllonCity Centre P&R PhaseCity centre 1, which shuttle includes bus report extension received. to existing Agreed car to £432.6K Capital AecomRTS Bus has Action completed Plan to bedesign Aim to issue ↑ Expand Park and park, resiting of recycle centre and new directional delayed draw down and tender documents and tender by end Ride provision signs completed. Ongoing problems with land in 2017/18 they are being reviewed by of June with
Page 174 Page linked to the ownership and acquisition has been referred to Revised budget = Aberdeenshire Council prior contract development of Transport Scotland. Funding approved for phase 2 - £150.1K to issue. As final spend in awarded in the AWPR and additional external waiting facilities and upgrade to Invoiced to end 17/18 was less than the August. explore the turning circle to accommodate 15m vehicles. 17/18 = £144.7K remaining budget an ↑ potential for mini- adjustment to increase the hubs that can be Aecom commissioned to progress scheme to tender. £282.5K delay draw approved delay draw down to served by existing down to 2018/19 18/19 by £5.4K is proposed in bus provision approved separate budget matters report.
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IC3d (contd) IC3d: Expand Park and Ride provision linked to the development of the AWPR and explore the potential for mini- hubs12/06/2018 that can be Regional Transport Strategy nestrans served by existing Progress Report bus provision Current Actions/ Progress Future Actions/ Progress Strategy Strand RTS actions Project/Action Progress Budget To be done Target Status A93 Crathes Contribution towards the creation of a Mini £5K Capital in Discussions ongoing Aecom to be Mini-hub Interchange Hub which would include for a 2017/18 with £62K regarding a small piece of commissioned designated car park, improved bus stop facilities and delay draw down to land required from National when land pedestrian crossing facilities 18/19 Trust Scotland for the car issue park. As final spend in 17/18 concluded to Invoiced to end exceeded remaining budget undertake 17/18 = £6.1K an adjustment of -£1.1K to detailed ↔ the approved delay draw design, any £62K delay draw down to 18/19 is proposed in necessary down to 2018/19 separate budget matters consultation approved report and tender documentation preparation. Page 175 Page Oldmeldrum Contribution towards the development of a Mini £25K Capital in Aecom progressing with Area Interchange Interchange Hub at Oldmeldrum to complement the 2017/18 (with 35K design works. Full planning Committee to IC3d (contd) Hub existing services operated by Stagecoach and Bain delay draw down to application to be submitted in consider Coaches and enhance the long term viability of these 18/19 June. As final spend in 17/18 planning commercial services. The scheme includes the exceeded remaining budget application. creation of a car park, footways, and lighting to Invoiced to end an adjustment of -£0.9K to ↑ enhance alternative modes of transport and 17/18 = £25.9K the approved delay draw encourage people out of their vehicles to reduce the down to 18/19 is proposed in carbon footprint. Aecom appointed to progress £225K in 18/19 separate budget matters detailed design. report P&R operation Brief developed with LABOF partners to gain a better Research being Aecom appointed and market understanding of current usage and any barriers to funded through part research undertaken with using Park & Ride in the North East and develop an of Nestrans Civitas surveys held at P&R sites and action plan to increase patronage and inform a range Portis allocation in the city centre and ↑ of marketing and promotion principles. interviews held with focus groups.
Page 15 of 25 12/06/2018 Regional Transport Strategy nestrans Progress Report Current Actions/ Progress Future Actions/ Progress Strategy Strand RTS actions Project/Action Progress Budget To be done Target Status IC3e: Aberdeen City In accordance with Council's Bus Information £20K Capital in This will again be a reactive Improve and Shire Bus Strategy documents - replace and/or provide bus 17/18 programme resulting from information Stop timetable display cases at bus stops within Aberdeen bus stop changes and provision Information City and Shire to ensure minimum standards and Invoiced to end remedial works identified by including Initiatives content can be provided, is DDA compliant and 17/18 = £20K inspections throughout the ↑ expanded real- allows for future standardised region wide year. Works will be time information improvements to timetabling information. Further £20K Capital in undertaken as identified. systems across funding approved for 2016/17 to continue initiative. 2018/19 Aberdeen City Wayfinding Contribution towards Software installed on £6.5K Revenue in Mapping images of cycle/ 21st Century/ and Shire. Software for Information totems, that would direct to key areas / 18/19 (delay draw walking routes to be installed as Trapeze Info Totems point of interest and provide directions within down from 17/18) static images as opposed to commissioned individual towns. This will incorporate details of being interactive to reduce in March to cycleway and footways local to the areas. Jointly ongoing revenue requirements undertake Page 176 Page funded project between Nestrans and Aberdeenshire in future years. Identified sites software Council that will be match funded through the include Ellon, Inverurie, changes to Smarter Choices, Smarter Places allocation to AC Banchory, Stonehaven, Huntly, totems and Fraserburgh and Peterhead. work now ↑ Oxford cartographers have complete. made amendments to current formats to allow for transition into kiosks. Delay draw down approved to complete work in 18/19.
IC3e (contd)
Page 16 of 25 IC3e: Improve information provision including expanded real- time information systems across Aberdeen City and Shire.
12/06/2018 Regional Transport Strategy nestrans Progress Report Current Actions/ Progress Future Actions/ Progress Strategy Strand RTS actions Project/Action Progress Budget To be done Target Status Expanded Real New RTPI live weblink (www.realtimebus.com) for £20K Revenue in Nestrans has again agreed to Time First services in the City launched on 16 September 2018/19 for contribute to the annual Passenger 2010. £192K awarded to Aberdeenshire Council by S contribution to maintenance costs of the Information Gov through European Regional Development Fund annual system in 2018/19 to help introduce real time passenger information. maintenance costs IC3e (contd) Budget approved in 15/16 to replace existing RTPI of system screens in Aberdeen with modern screens that will run on the Aberdeenshire System and installation of further solar powered screens in Aberdeenshire. ↑ New system will allow messages to be sent to the screens to assist with disruption management. Region wide live bus departure info can be found online at AC, First and Stagecoach websites, on
Page 177 Page mobile phones using the free Traveline Scotland app, or via QR codes on timetables at bus stops using smartphones.
IC5 - Transport interchange IC5c: Scotland wide A consultation on smart ticketing was opened on 13 On 9 March 2018 Transport The results of Work with smart Ticketing Sept that proposes a consistent smart ticket option (e- Scotland published the analysis both operators to purse) that would be available on all main public of responses to this consultation consultations develop transport modes across Scotland in addition to the and the Local Bus Services in have helped integrated smart ticket options that are already available from Scotland - Improving the shape the ticketing across individual operators. Deadline for responses is 5 Dec Framework for Delivery and Transport services and 2017 and Nestrans response submitted. they can be viewed on their (Scotland) Bill, operators in the website. which was north east. introduced by ↑ the Cabinet Secretary for Finance and Constitution, Derek Mackay MSP, on 8 June 2018.
Page 17 of 25 12/06/2018 Regional Transport Strategy nestrans Progress Report Current Actions/ Progress Future Actions/ Progress Strategy Strand RTS actions Project/Action Progress Budget To be done Target Status IC6 - Walking and Cycling IC6d: A96 Inverurie to Contribution towards the creation of a dedicated cycle £82.4K Capital in Leiths currently on site and Works Continued Kintore / footway between Inverurie and Kintore starting at 17/18 (with £204.4K progressing with works. underway and development of a the Thainstone Roundabout. Phase 1 from Kintore delay draw down to Delays encountered due to due to be connected Railway Station to Business Park undertaken by 18/19) landowner and additional complete by network of Leiths and works complete with only snagging issues costs will be incurred due to end June. strategic cycle being rectified. Phase 2 will extend the shared use Invoiced to end need to install acoustic routes on key section from the Business Centre to Thainstone. 17/18 = £67.1K fencing and associated routes within accommodation works. As Aberdeenshire, £204.4K in 18/19 final spend in 17/18 was less ↑ across the than the remaining budget an boundary into adjustment to increase the Aberdeen and on approved delay draw down to routes through Page 178 Page 18/19 by £14.9K is proposed the City to work in separate budget matters towards the report CAPS vision for cycling and lock Integrated Feasibility and Design of Future Cycleway / Footway £53K Capital in Inverurie and Portlethen As final spend in the benefits of Travel Towns Schemes associated with the 5 ITT Towns being 2017/18 (with £13K projects to be reported to in 17/18 was other developed by Aberdeenshire which include delay draw down to Area Cttee and if approved less than the infrastructure Fraserburgh, Ellon, Huntly, Portlethen & Inverurie. 18/19) WSP to progress feasibility remaining improvements, Community Links to provide £100K match funding to and design of: on road/off budget an including the Aberdeenshire Council. Aecom commissioned to Invoiced to end road shared use facilities at adjustment to AWPR. undertake detailed design of schemes in Ellon, Huntly 17/18 = £52.5K North Street Inverurie, increase the and Fraserburgh. WSP commissioned to undertake infrastructure for ped/cyclists approved delay detailed design of schemes in Inverurie and £13K in 2018/19 between Inverurie and Port draw down to ↑ Portlethen. Elphinstone, shared use 18/19 by £0.5K paths in Portlethen:- Muirend is proposed in Road to Badentoy, Muirend separate Road to Cookston Road and budget matters
Cookston Road to Portlethen report. Primary.
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IC6d (contd)
IC6d (contd)
IC6d (contd)
IC6d (contd) IC6d: Continued development of a connected network of strategic cycle routes on key routes within Aberdeenshire, across the boundary into Aberdeen and on routes through the City to work towards the CAPS vision for cycling and lock in the benefits of other infrastructure improvements, including the AWPR.
12/06/2018 Regional Transport Strategy nestrans Progress Report Current Actions/ Progress Future Actions/ Progress Strategy Strand RTS actions Project/Action Progress Budget To be done Target Status Long Distance Development of long distance paths as per Active £51K Capital in Final draft reports received from Path Travel Action Plan. Aecom commissioned in 2016 to 2017/18 (with £14K Aecom and Arcadis reporting on Development undertake works relating to A90 Inverurie to delay draw down to feasibility studies undertaken. Aberdeen, including detailed design. ARCADIS 18/19) Investigations into Inverurie/ appointed early Jan 17 to look at A90 N and S and Blackburn paths complete. F&B Way. WSP appointed to look at Deeside Way Invoiced to end Arcadis works ongoing to look and A944 corridors. 17/18 = £48.7K at detailed design of improvement works along the £14K in 2018/19 F&B Way. As final spend in ↑ 17/18 was less than the remaining budget an adjustment to increase the approved delay draw down to
Page 179 Page 18/19 by £2.3K is proposed in separate budget matters report IC6d (contd) A96 Kintore - Detailed Design and Tender Document in £25K Capital in Consultant to be Schemes to be Blackburn preparation for Construction 2019/20. This 2018/19 commissioned to undertake reported to schemes is linking from the completion of the detailed design of the Area A96 Inverurie to Kintore path to follow the shared proposed shared use Committee used cycle path / footway from Kintore to cycleway / footway link after the Blackburn between Kintore & Blackburn. summer ↑ Works will also involve vacation. engaging with landowners and topographical surveys
A90 Detailed Design and Tender Document in £25K Capital in Consultant to be Schemes to be Stonehaven - preparation for Construction 2019/20 2018/19 commissioned to undertake reported to Aberdeen detailed design of the Area proposed shared use Committee ↑ cycleway / footway between after the Newtonhill and Wellington summer Road. vacation
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IC6d (contd)
IC6d (contd)
IC6d (contd) IC6d: Continued development of a connected network of strategic cycle routes on key routes within Aberdeenshire, across the boundary into Aberdeen and on routes through the City to work towards the CAPS vision for cycling and lock in the benefits of other infrastructure improvements, including the AWPR.
IC6d (contd)
12/06/2018 Regional Transport Strategy nestrans Progress Report Current Actions/ Progress Future Actions/ Progress Strategy Strand RTS actions Project/Action Progress Budget To be done Target Status A90 Ellon to Detailed Design and Tender Document in £25K Capital in Consultant to be Schemes to be Aberdeen preparation for Construction 2019/20 2018/19 commissioned to undertake reported to Cycleway detailed design of the Area proposed shared use Committee cycleway / footway between after the ↑ Ellon to Foveran and Foveran summer to Newburgh vacation
A98 Seafield Footway Reconstruction £13.5K Capital in Works to be carried out using Street, Portsoy 2018/19 In House Resources during 3rd quarter of financial year ↑ 2018/2019 A98 Shore Footway Reconstruction £20.7K Capital in Works to be carried out using
Page 180 Page Street, 2018/19 In House Resources during Macduff 3rd quarter of financial year ↑ 2018/2019 A98 Skene Footway Reconstruction £18K Capital in Works to be carried out using IC6d (contd) Street, 2018/19 In House Resources during Macduff 3rd quarter of financial year ↑ 2018/2019 Balgownie Contribution to the cost of relocating a Scottish Water £92K Capital in Works complete and Ramps Project main away from cycle/ped path between Gordon Brae 2017/18 Nestrans contribution and housing off Laurel Ave Invoiced to end invoiced. ↑ 17/18 = £83K River Don paths Formalising and widening of existing narrow dust £1K Capital in Path agreements with Aim to - Farburn paths and the replacement of existing bridge across 2017/18 landowners still to be signed. complete path the Farburn to improve a section of the River Don Only £5K approved through agreements in path behind the Burnside Drive Flats in Dyce. Invoiced to end Community Links to date, but mid July and Developer contributions of almost £10K available and 17/18 = £1K once landowner agreement apply to £35K agreed from Sustrans. finalised a further application Sustrans for ↑ £34K delay draw will be made to Sustrans for construction down to 2018/19 match funding of funding at end construction costs. July
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IC6d (contd)
IC6d (contd) IC6d: Continued development of a connected network of strategic cycle routes on key routes within Aberdeenshire, across the boundary into Aberdeen and on routes through the City to work towards the CAPS vision for cycling and lock in the benefits of other infrastructure improvements, including the AWPR.
IC6d (contd)
IC6d (contd)
12/06/2018 Regional Transport Strategy nestrans Progress Report Current Actions/ Progress Future Actions/ Progress Strategy Strand RTS actions Project/Action Progress Budget To be done Target Status River Don paths Formalising and widening of current track to provide £0.15K Revised Path agreement still to be Aim to - Mugiemoss an active travel link between the River Don Path and Budget in 2017/18 signed. Only £5K approved complete path link the NCN 1 at A947/Mugiemoss Road in Dyce. has been invoiced in through Community Links to agreement in Developer contributions of £20,250 available and full. date, but once landowner mid July and £48,500 match funding from Sustrans agreed. agreement finalised a further apply to ↑ £33.1K delay in application will be made to Sustrans for draw down to Sustrans for match funding construction 2018/19 of construction costs. funding at end July River Don paths Construction of a ped cycle link path through Arjo £0.6K Revised Additional budget approved for Aim to - Arjo Wiggins Wiggins site following desire line. Linking Budget in 2017/18 18/19 as costs increased due to complete path Stoneywood and existing River Don path. Developer has been invoiced in additional ecological and tree agreement in funding to £25K available and £61,375 agreed from full. surveys and a change in path mid July and
Page 181 Page Sustrans. design to reduce impacts on apply to £54.9K in 18/19 them and tree protection works Sustrans for (incl £39.4K delay and hand digging. Path construction IC6d (contd) in draw down from agreement still to be signed. funding at end 17/18 Only £5K approved through July ↑ Community Links to date, but once landowner agreement finalised a further application will be made to Sustrans for match funding of construction costs.
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IC6d (contd) IC6d: Continued development of a connected network of strategic cycle routes on key routes within Aberdeenshire, across the boundary into Aberdeen and on routes through the City to work towards the CAPS vision for cycling and lock in the benefits of other infrastructure improvements, including the AWPR.
IC6d (contd)
IC6d (contd)
IC6d (contd)
12/06/2018 Regional Transport Strategy nestrans Progress Report Current Actions/ Progress Future Actions/ Progress Strategy Strand RTS actions Project/Action Progress Budget To be done Target Status Seaton Park Improve access through Seaton Park by constructing £0.3K Revised Continuing to seek land Aim to Entrances a new entrance way at east side of Park and Budget in 2017/18 agreement. Only £5K complete path widening the path close to St Machars Cathedral, has been invoiced in approved through agreement in following on from recommendations in a Feasibility full. Community Links to date, but mid August and Report funded by Nestrans in 2015/16. Sustrans has once landowner agreement apply to confirmed £11K match funding in 2017/18 through £13.7K in 18/19 finalised a further application Sustrans for ↑ Community Links. (incl £10.7K delay will be made to Sustrans for construction in draw down from match funding of funding at end 2017/18) construction costs. August.
Craigshaw Dr Project reduced to feasibility and design only and £8K Capital in CHI Cttee in Jan 2018 Stakeholder cycle route delay draw down of budget to 2017/18 agreed, with 2017/18 confirmed preferred option for engagement to match funding from Sustrans confirmed. Invoiced to end detailed design. Draft design be undertaken
Page 182 Page 17/18 = £15K for consultation progressed. on design. Estimated project delivery £25K Capital in costs being calculated. ↑ 18/19 Sustrans awarded funding for design through Community IC6d (contd) Links.
Riverside Path, Completion of detailed design of a shared use cycle £3.8K Capital in ACC officers support Sustrans Br of Dee-RGU route along the northern bank of the river Dee 2017/18 investigation of a route along awarded feasibility and between the Bridge of Dee and Robert Gordons Invoiced to end the riverside as opposed to a funding for design University to form a strategic active travel route that 17/18 = £6.1K Garthdee Road option. ACC design through will link the City Centre with Robert Gordons senior officers, planning and Community University Garthdee Campus. Sustrans has £23K Capital in projects teams to meet 5 Links. confirmed £20K match funding in 2017/18 through 18/19 June to discuss way forward ↑ Community Links. with this project with regard to the environmental and ecological aspects of the proposal.
Page 22 of 25 IC6d: Continued development of a connected network of strategic cycle routes on key routes within Aberdeenshire, across the boundary into Aberdeen and on routes through the City to work towards the CAPS vision for cycling and lock in the benefits of other infrastructure improvements, including the AWPR.
IC6d (contd)
IC6d (contd)
IC6d (contd)
IC6d (contd)
12/06/2018 Regional Transport Strategy nestrans Progress Report Current Actions/ Progress Future Actions/ Progress Strategy Strand RTS actions Project/Action Progress Budget To be done Target Status Wellheads Detailed Design and Contract document preparation £10K delay draw ACC projects team developing Cycle Link for an extension of the existing Welheads Drive down in 2017/18 designs. Utility search design shared use path to the north, by-passing the completed along the length of roundabout, to connect with Farburn Terrace, the Invoiced to end interest for the cycle route. extension will reduce conflict at the roundabout and 17/18 = £11.06K Topographical survey, traffic improve safety and directness for cyclists. Also modelling and consultations ↑ included will be the design of a cut-through at the £30K Capital in undertaken. Bid to be Market Street closure to create a safe and coherent 18/19 submitted to Sustrans cycle connection with the Welheads shared use cycle Community Links to seek route. match funding of Nestrans contribution. A90(T) Parkway Extend the cycle route on the Parkway from £100K in 2017/18 Toucan installed on Parkway ACC continuing Extension Balgownie Road to connect in with the Third Don west of Ellon Road roundabout to seek approval
Page 183 Page (Balgownie- Crossing cycle facilities at Fairview Street, including Invoiced to end and Parkway paths from Buckie for land Fairview) upgrading of existing footway to a shared use surface 17/18 = £99K Farm entrance west to purchase. with a 1m wide hard separation strip and 2.5m wide Whitestripes Ave and 50m west shared use footway. Dropped kerbs and tactile £40K Capital in of Balgownie Road completed. paving will be installed at appropriate locations along 18/19 ACC Estates still seeking to with adequate lining and signing. Some localised purchase land at Buckie Farm ↑ earthworks may be required to increase footway to complete access through width. A Toucan crossing will also be installed at the area adjacent to tree belt eastern end of The Parkway. toward Balgownie Road. Sustrans funding of up to £150K in 2017/18 agreed Budget approved for 2018/19 in principle, but provisional on design approval. to progress necessary land acquisition.
Page 23 of 25 IC6d: Continued development of a connected network of strategic cycle routes on key routes within Aberdeenshire, across the boundary into Aberdeen and on routes through the City to work towards the CAPS vision for cycling and lock in the benefits of other infrastructure improvements, including the AWPR.
IC6d (contd)
IC6d (contd)
IC6d (contd)
IC6d (contd)
12/06/2018 Regional Transport Strategy nestrans Progress Report Current Actions/ Progress Future Actions/ Progress Strategy Strand RTS actions Project/Action Progress Budget To be done Target Status Anderson Drive Following on from design work in 2015/16 a short £6.5K revised budget ASDA has rejected request for Phase 1 section of shared pedestrian and cycle route will be in 2017/18 route to go through their land. implemented on the northbound side of Anderson Lack of resources mean that Drive between the Deeside Way and the Bridge of Invoiced to end ACC unable to progress Dee and then the upgrade of two pedestrian 17/18 = £6.4K alternative options further. crossings at the Bridge of Dee roundabout to toucan ↔ crossings. Sustrans confirmed ACC bid for £32.5K match funding through Community Links although conditions require to be met. Detailed design of Toucan upgrades complete.
Middlefield & Contribution to Active Travel improvements in full 17/18 budget of Nestrans funded works to Works are due Northfield Middlefield and Northfield. Works will include £93.5K approved for improve junctions of Provost to start onsite on
Page 184 Page Active Travel improvement to active travel infrastructure to link up delay daw Down to Rust Dr and Manor Ave have the 4th June. Project residential, education and commercial buildings in 2018/19 been re-tendered and the this area including links to existing and planned contract awarded to Hunter strategic cycle links . Nestrans funding will specifically Invoiced to end Construction. As final spend be utilised to improve ped-cyclists crossings on 17/18 = £3.3K in 17/18 exceeded remaining ↑ Manor Avenue and Provost Rust Drive and ped /cycle budget an adjustment of - directional signage. £93.5K in 18/19 £3.3K to the approved delay (delay daw down draw down to 18/19 is from 2017/18) proposed in separate budget matters report
Page 24 of 25 IC6d: Continued development of a connected network of strategic cycle routes on key routes within Aberdeenshire, across the boundary into Aberdeen and on routes through the City to work towards the CAPS vision for cycling and lock in the benefits of other infrastructure improvements, including the AWPR.
IC6d (contd)
IC6d (contd)
IC6d (contd)
IC6d (contd)
12/06/2018 Regional Transport Strategy nestrans Progress Report Current Actions/ Progress Future Actions/ Progress Strategy Strand RTS actions Project/Action Progress Budget To be done Target Status Junction Detailed design of options for alterations to Broomhill £13K Revised Preliminary design complete Alterations to Road - Anderson Drive and Westburn/Lang Stracht - budget in 2017/18 and submitted to SUSTRANS Lock in the Anderson Drive with a focus on improvements for Invoiced to end and comments awaited Benefits (LiB) of Active travel. 17/18 = £20.2K before progressing the AWPR design further. As final £28K in 18/19 spend in 17/18 exceeded (comprising 12K remaining budget an ↑ delay draw down adjustment of -£7.2K to the from 17/18 and approved delay draw down to £16K allocation in 18/19 is proposed in separate 18/19) budget matters report IC6e: IC8 - Port Surface Connections This will be led by development officers within Council
Page 185 Page IC8a: Transport links Brief prepared for pre-appraisal and Stag Part 1 PBA consultants appointed Draft pre- Support to new harbour assessment of transport links to new harbour. and have undertaken policy appraisal report measures to at Bay of Nigg. Appraisal and delivery of any approved outcomes to review and following being prepared improve access be funded through £25M allocation within City Region consultation have completed and to be to port facilities. Deal. the list of problems, submitted for opportunities, issues and comment by ↑ constraints, draft transport client group by planning objectives and long mid June. list of options.
IC9 - Freight Union Square ® See EC4b IC9b: Freight Action Finalised Freight Action Plan and Freight Forum Civitas project (see EC4b) Investigate Plan meetings can be viewed on Nestrans website. HGV contains a work package with potential for route maps for Aberdeen City and Aberdeenshire projects relating to Freight. measures to areas on Nestrans, Grampian Police and Council Freight advisor appointed. provide more websites. Updated freight action plan developed in Freight Forum meeting ↑ reliable journey association with GreCor and launched at Freight arranged for 19 June and times for HGVs Forum meeting on 23 June 2014. further details on this and and identify a trial Civitas project in info route for bulletin. Local Transport Projects to be developed where possible from LTS. ↑
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Page 186 12/06/2018 Regional Transport Strategy nestrans Progress Report Sub Strategy 3: The Strategic Policy Framework ® = MTS project Current Actions/ Progress Future Actions/ Progress Strategy Strand RTS actions Project/Action Progress Budget To be done Target Status TRAVEL BEHAVIOUR TB1 - Promoting Travel Planning and Travel Awareness TB1a: Travel Planning Various travel planning related packages to £50.5K Revenue in A refresh of the Regional Travel Aim to have an Implementation and future strategy & be commissioned via Civitas Portis work. 2017/18 Planning Strategy is being initial draft of development of Nestrans’ Action Plan undertaken. Travel Planning the refreshed Travel Planning Strategy. Invoiced to end Business Parks Civitas Portis Regional Travel 17/18 = £43.2K project has been awarded to Planning SWECO after going through a Strategy by late £69.5K Capital in bidding process and Summer 2018. 2018/19 assessment via Public As final spend (comprising £9.5K Contracts Scotland. Inception in 17/18 less delay in draw meeting held on 4 June 2018. than remaining Page 187 Page down from 17/18 Getabout evaluation ongoing. budget an ↑ and £60K The Getabout Evaluation adjustment of allocation in findings will be presented to +£7.3K to the 18/19) the Getabout working group approved at their next meeting and a delay draw copy of the report once down is received will be included in proposed in the next Board papers. separate budget report).
H&T Action See IC4a
Page 1 of 8 12/06/2018 Regional Transport Strategy nestrans Progress Report Current Actions/ Progress Future Actions/ Progress Strategy Strand RTS actions Project/Action Progress Budget To be done Target Status TB1b: Sustainable Budget approved to continue to provide grant £9K Revenue in Leaflet produced to advertise New guidance Continue to provide travel grant scheme in 2017/18. New criteria and 17/18 grant and being distributed at and application support through the scheme guidance agreed and can be viewed on the events. Mitchells Dairy returned window to Sustainable Travel Grants Nestrans website. Grant offered in 17/18 to Grant claimed = grant for e-bike due to store continue to be Scheme Cadherent for installation of shower facilities, £9K closure. Cadherent have advertised for Mitchells Dairy for an E-bike and cycle rack at claimed their grant. Huntly and potential shop in Inverurie, Grampian Transport £21K Revenue in District Dev Trust unable to applicants ↑ Museum, Alford for cycle racks, Lemon Tree 18/19 (comprising complete their project by end for shower facilities and Huntly and District £6K delay in draw March 2018 and request for Development Trust for E-Bike Lockers. down and 15K delay in draw down of this and allocation in unused funds from 2017/18 18/19) approved. New budget for 18/19 agreed.
Page 188 Page TB1d: GetaboutCar share lanes AberdeenshireSee IC2c Council used Smarter Choices Costs met from New Getabout branded Continue to promote and Smarter Places funding to commission Travel Planning fleeces, 2 mini gazebos and strengthen the Getabout upgrade to getabout website. New website budget umbrellas have been brand. www.getabout.org.uk live and redirection from purchased for use at events. old site in place. Getabout continuing to be Tender undertaken for ↑ promoted as the Sustainable Transport Brand evaluation of Getabout brand at events. and campaigns and Ideas in Partnership appointed. TB2 - Promoting Active Travel TB2a: Advertising Radio advert booking contract on Original Costs met from Radio adverts were aired on Develop an Active Travel 106fm has been extended to Mar 2018 Travel Planning both Northsound and Original Action Plan with the aim of budget in support of a Road Safety encouraging more people Cycling Campaign, as well as ↑ to walk and cycle more bus rear posters during May often. and June 2018
Cycle Parking Budget agreed for 2018/19 to assist with £15K Revenue in Policy for grant scheme to be Grant Scheme costs of installing cycle parking at public 2018/19 drawn up and grant facilities. advertised. All bids to be ↑ considered by a panel of Nestrans and Council staff.
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TB2a (contd) TB2a: Develop an Active Travel Action Plan with the aim of encouraging more people to walk and cycle more often.
12/06/2018 Regional Transport Strategy nestrans Progress Report Current Actions/ Progress Future Actions/ Progress Strategy Strand RTS actions Project/Action Progress Budget To be done Target Status Community S Gov provides funding to the Community Councils have received Links Links Programme by Sustrans that is open to notification from Sustrans of Programme bids from Local Authorities for infrastructure Community Links funding in ↑ projects to promote cycling and walking. 2018/19 and further details in Information Bulletin Smarter Both Councils deliver SCSP projects under The new funding stream from Full TB2a (contd) Choices the Getabout brand. The Minister for S Gov and delivered through information on Smarter Places Transport announced on 30 May that an Paths for All will be available the fund can (SCSP) additional £2 million Smarter Choices for public, community and be found on Smarter Places Open Fund launches in third sector organisations Paths for All June. that want to change people’s website. ↑ everyday travel behaviour. The grants will be between Page 189 Page £5000 and £50,000 and will require to be match funded.
Safer Routes The Minister for Transport announced on Schools and local authorities For this first to School 30 May that a Safer Routes to School fund across Scotland are being time, funding has been created. Funded by the Scottish urged to apply for funding to is available for Government and delivered through help create safe, traffic-free all places of Sustrans Scotland, the Safer Routes to routes which encourage education, School fund aims to improve safety on the children and their parents or beyond school run and increase opportunities for guardians to travel to school schools to active travel across Scotland. on foot, by bike or scooter. ensure as ↑ many people as possible can benefit from safe active travel routes.
Page 3 of 8 TB2a: Develop an Active Travel Action Plan with the aim of encouraging more people to walk and cycle more often.
TB2a (contd)
12/06/2018 Regional Transport Strategy nestrans Progress Report Current Actions/ Progress Future Actions/ Progress Strategy Strand RTS actions Project/Action Progress Budget To be done Target Status Cycling Nestrans appointed an officer to help take £35.9K Revenue in Budget approved for 2018/19 Development forward bids, act as a liaison between north 18/19 and will attract a grant of up Officer east authorities and national bodies and to to £100K from Sustrans. help design and promote cycling routes across the region. Sustrans willing to match ↑ fund the post costs and up to further £50K project costs by Nestrans with £100,000 per year capital for strategic routes in the NE.
Cycle Range of bikes purchased and delivered for Funding to be Cycling Roadshow Roadshow use at local events to encourage cycling in provided from continuing to be used by schools, communities and organisations. Travel Planning Getabout Partners. Service Level Agreement for purchase, budget and Roadshow will be used at
Page 190 Page storage, transport and maintenance of full kit Councils SCSP several events during Bike ↑ for event and hire rates in place. awards Week (9-17 June 2018) which includes schools and at Hazlehead and Duthie Parks.
TB2b: Health & HTAP works being progressed by HTAP £46.2K Revenue in HTAP progress given in part 4 HTAP annual Work with NHS Grampian Transport support manager and sub groups. Further 17/18 of progress update. As full report 2017/18 and Community Planning Action Plan funding approved for 2017/18 to continue part budget not used in 17/18 a is a separate Partnerships to deliver the funding of the HTAP Programme Support Invoiced to end delay in draw down report on Health and Transport Manager, general HTAP actions and provision 17/18 = £41.8K adjustment of +£4.3K is agenda. ↑ Action Plan and achieve of the THInC service until end March 2018. proposed in separate budget objectives for a healthier £36.6K Revenue in report. population. 18/19 Community Nestrans are statutory partners, contribute £10K Revenue in Budget approved to meet Planning financially and attend appropriate meetings. 17/18 membership cost for both CP TB2b (contd) Continuing to work with CP partners on Local partners in 2018/19 Outcome Improvement Plans (LOIP). Invoiced in full. ↑ £10K Revenue in 18/19
Page 4 of 8 12/06/2018 Regional Transport Strategy nestrans Progress Report Current Actions/ Progress Future Actions/ Progress Strategy Strand RTS actions Project/Action Progress Budget To be done Target Status TB3 - Improving Safety TB3b: School bus Seat belts must now be provided on The Act comes into effect on Improve security for users safety dedicated school transport in Scotland 1 August 2018 which should of public transport services following introduction of the Seat Belts on mean every child has access and interchanges. School Transport (Scotland) Act 2017. to a seat belt when travelling to and from school for the start of the 2018/2019 school year. National guidance and awareness-raising materials have been published online and sent to school authorities and other interested parties with information on seat belt Page 191 Page fitting, wearing and monitoring
INCENTIVES AND ENFORCEMENTTaxi Ranks ACC has approved a 4th night time taxi rank Other city centre ranks on ↑ IE1 - Changing Choices through Incentives & Partnerships IE1b: LABOF Nestrans are a member of LABOF and attend £38.5K Revenue in The North East of Scotland Through the Local meetings with minutes of the Steering Group 2017/18 Bus Alliance has been Authorities/Bus Operators reported to Board. reported to Aberdeenshire Forum (LABOF) continue Invoiced to end Council and will be to develop the Quality 17/18 = £36.8K considered by ACC on 19 Partnership for Public June. On approval by both Transport and the Bus £60.3K in 18/19 Councils and the operators ↑ Punctuality Improvement (comprising £6.5K an event will be arranged for Partnership to achieve delay in draw the Region Wide Quality improvements in bus down from 17/18 Agreement to be signed. provision and increased and £53.8K levels of bus use. allocation in 18/19)
Page 5 of 8 12/06/2018 Regional Transport Strategy nestrans Progress Report Current Actions/ Progress Future Actions/ Progress Strategy Strand RTS actions Project/Action Progress Budget To be done Target Status IE2 - Using Enforcement IE2a: Low Emission The Scottish Gov announced a commitment Responses to the LEZ The Transport Support enforcement of Zones to introduce LEZs into Scotland's 4 largest consultation have been (Scotland) Bill, vehicle emission standards cities by 2020 and launched a consultation on analysed and published on was to improve air quality, in building Scotland's LEZs on 6 Sept. the Transport Scotland introduced by Aberdeen City Centre and website. They will help inform the Cabinet towns across the north national standards for LEZs Secretary for ↑ east. and the development of Finance and supporting legislation within Constitution, the Transport Bill. Derek Mackay MSP, on 8 June 2018. IE3IE2d: - Parking Bus Lane Nestrans funded new camera system and £200K Capital and Aberdeen City Council
Page 192 Page IE3b: Bus Action Plan See IC3b for details on upgrade to bus lane Thistle Assistance cards for Support enforcement of enforcement camera system and offence use by people who need extra parking restrictions, processing system help whilst using public particularly where these transport are now available. exist to support strategic There is also a Thistle Card ↑ traffic movements, bus / app available for free pedestrian priority and road download via Google play safety. and the apple app store.
CR1 - Carbon Reduction, Noise and Air Quality CR1a: EV Charge AC bid for 70% through Low Carbon £45K Capital in Support measures which points in Challenge Fund to give £300K for EV 18/19 encourage uptake of Aberdeen- charge point installation. Remaining 30% alternative fuels for public shire match funding proposed to be split transport, private and between AC and Nestrans. public sector vehicles, to build on the north east’s Switched on The Minister for Transport and the Islands The loans are interest free with More info on role as an energy hub and work towards the decarbonisation of transport and improvements in air quality. Page 6 of 8 CR1a: 12/06/2018 Regional Transport Strategy nestrans Support measures which Progress Report encourage uptake of alternative fuels for public Current Actions/ Progress Future Actions/ Progress transport,Strategy Strandprivate and publicRTS actions sector vehicles, to Project/Action Progress Budget To be done Target Status build on the north east’s Scottish Green The Scottish Green Bus Fund, now in its Further details on the Green role as an energy hub and Bus Fund eighth year, opened to bus operators, local Bus Fund and Bus Service work towards the authorities and regional transport Operators Grant can be decarbonisation of partnerships on 27 May 2018. The £1.7M viewed on the Transport transport and fund aims to encourage more low carbon Scotland website. improvements in air quality. emission buses onto Scotland’s roads. ↑ Operators of low carbon buses also remain eligible for an enhanced rate of the Bus Service Operators Grant which further incentivises the uptake and use of green buses. Hydrogen Fuel This project will test prototype range extended £36K Capital in Nissan NV200 identified as van As final Cell Vans vehicles including vans and large trucks to 2017/18 with 17K of choice and supplier to retrofit invoice in Page 193 Page prove their viability and their role in delivering delay draw down to vans with a Hydrogen tank has 17/18 EU and national energy and climate change 18/19 been identified. A discounted exceeded targets. Hydrogen Fuel Cell Electric Vehicles rental rate for a 12 week trial of remaining (FCEVs) have a larger range than electric Invoiced to end 3rd generation Renault Kangoo budget an battery vehicles. The overall aim is for 10 17/18 = £46.2K van has been negotiated adjustment to prototype vans to be purchased, increasing through Arcola Energy. Vehicle the delay draw the demand for the initial refuelling £17K Capital in being used by ACC building down of - infrastructure within Aberdeen City. 18/19 services team for 12 week trial £10.2K ↑ Partnership agreement signed for HyTrEc 2 in from 4 Dec. Nissan e-NV200 proposed in Feb 2017. van ordered and expected separate June 2018. It will inform the budget report. best way forward for the purchase of more vans in the future. Retrofit of Co-wheels van ongoing through ULEMCO.
CR1c: Funding approved for 2015/16 to identify £155K revenue in Additional funding proposed in ↑
Page 7 of 8 12/06/2018 Regional Transport Strategy nestrans Progress Report Current Actions/ Progress Future Actions/ Progress Strategy Strand RTS actions Project/Action Progress Budget To be done Target Status E1 - Consultation and Engagement E1a: Consultation Engagement with various organisations Take an active and and continuing to be undertaken as part of the inclusive approach to Engagement External Transport Links to Aberdeen ↑ engagement and South Harbour and Strategic Transport consultation with Appraisal studies. communities, relevant AWPR AWPR GoNorthEast campaign was The focal point of the Full details can sectors of the community GoNorthEast launched by Cabinet Secretary Keith campaign will be a be viewed on and interest groups and Brown on 11 June in run-up to completion Community Weekend of the stakeholders. of the AWPR build. Supported by the family-orientated events and #GoNorthEast hashtags #GoConnect, #GoSafer, activities (8th and 9th of website at #GoGreener, the GoNorthEast campaign September 2018) which is https://awprgo will highlight the key positive impacts of planned to take place on the northeast.co.u Page 194 Page the route on the economy, on safety and new AWPR in the River Dee k/ on sustainable travel. Ambassadors for valley on the boundary these key themes are Russell Borthwick, between Aberdeen City and ↑ Chief Executive of Aberdeen Chamber of Aberdeenshire. There will Commerce (#GoConnect), Emma Bellu, also be unique opportunities Chief Executive of local safety charity for cyclists of a wide range of Absafe (#GoSafer) and Derick Murray, abilities to experience the Director of Nestrans (#GoGreener). road before strategic traffic begins using it in earnest and cyclists get to enjoy the benefits of less congested city roads.
Page 8 of 8 12/06/2018 Health Transport Action Plan nestrans Progress Report Health and Transport Action Plan HTAP Sub Group Project/Actions Progress Budget Future Actions/ Progress Target Status HTAP General Quarterly The Steering Group are scheduled to meet meetings next on 26th of September 2018. ↑ HTAP Networking On the 1st of May 2018 an HTAP Networking As a result of the event both Event Event was hosted by Aberdeenshire HTAP sub-groups have gained ↑ Council. The event was attended by 35 new members. individuals representing local authorities, NHSG, Nestrans, Stagecoach, Health & Social Care Partnerships, the third sector and the HTAP Public Representative. Feedback from the event was very positive.
HTAP Steering On the 28th of May 2018 the Steering Group It was proposed and agreed that Group met. Steering Group members ↑
Page 195 Page consider the draft Work Plan for both sub-groups and advise of which projects they would be willing to act as Project Sponsors for. HTAP Annual The new HTAP Annual Report covering the The report will now be circulated Report 2017- financial year 2017-2018 was approved by to all partner organisations and ↑ 2018 the HTAP Steering Group. the three Community Planning Partnership Boards. Transport and Public Health Travel Planning Draft Travel Planning Guidance for new The Guidance will help inform the Pilot at Inverurie Health & Social Care developments has developing Nestrans Travel ↑ Health & Social been produced and the sub-group are Planning Strategy and will be Care Hub currently reviewing. shared with relevant officers across the three Health & Social Care Partnerships and the NHSG Asset Management and Development Team. A draft has already been shared with NHS Highland.
Page 1 of 3 12/06/2018 Health Transport Action Plan nestrans Progress Report HTAP Sub Group Project/Actions Progress Budget Future Actions/ Progress Target Status Clean Air Day Clean Air Day takes place on 21st of June 2018. This year it appears to have wider ↑ participation from partner organisations. Aberdeenshire Council are holding an information event at their HQ, NHSG are holding sessions for staff about electric vehicles and in Aberdeen the Getabout stand will be present outside Marks and Spencers. Partnership The Transport & Public Health Sub-Group oversight of continues to have a ongoing remit of ↑ Getabout management level oversight of Getabout and development and it's development and monitoring of progress. progress. Sub-Group Work A draft updated Work Plan has been The draft is with sub-group
Page 196 Page Plan Update produced, including new actions reflecting members for consideration. ↑ the agreed Road Map. Access to Health and Social Care Transport to The project continues to give advice to Progress will be reported to the Health & Social residents on transport options for attending Nestrans Board. ↑ Care Information appointments. A submission for the COSLA Centre (THInC) awards is being prepared by Aberdeenshire Council on behalf of funding partners.
Aboyne Hospital Deeside Community Transport Group The NHSG Endowment Fund will Pilot (DCTG) continue their hospital transport consider the two requests for ↑ pilot with THInC handling the bookings on funding made by community behalf of DCTG. Following discussions transport organisations on the 8th with the NHSG Endowment Fund DCTG of June 2018. have submitted an application for funding to help extend the life of the pilot project.
Page 2 of 3 12/06/2018 Health Transport Action Plan nestrans Progress Report HTAP Sub Group Project/Actions Progress Budget Future Actions/ Progress Target Status THInC: Transport Aberdeen Integrated Joint Board are Aberdeen Health & Social Care in the City Option funding the THInC: In the City service until Partnership are now represented ↑ Appraisal the end of March 2019. The IJB are on the Access to Health & Social preparing a report proposing a 3 year Care Sub-Group. approach and will share with the HTAP Steering Group once produced. Travel to Nestrans have commissioned an updated A final draft has been circulated Aberdeen Royal Travel to Aberdeen Royal Infirmary Guide. The to partners for comment. ↑ Infirmary funding for the guide is being provided by Publication and distribution is Aberdeen City Council through Smarter expected in June 2018. Choices Smarter Places. North East Rider A Service Level Agreement was signed and Monthly monitoring of the project Volunteers operations initiated on the 1st of May 2018. is built into the SLA. ↑ (NERVs) NERVs will be providing courier services for urgent NHSG documentation and medical
Page 197 Page materials. The launch was covered in the local press. Daft As A Brush Following meetings with the charity founder The charity plan to host an event Cancer Patient a letter has been sent by NHSG Chief in Newcastle during August 2018. ↑ Care Executive to Mr Brian Burnie of Daft As A Brush Cancer Patient Care emphasising the hope that the charity will choose the Grampian area to pilot a roll out of their charity and the free transport for people using cancer care services. Grampian An awards presentation event has been Graphics and press materials are Volunteer scheduled for the 9th of November 2018. The almost finalised and it is hoped ↑ Transport Awards event will be held at Aberdeen Town House. the nomination process will begin First Aberdeen and Stagecoach North during June. Scotland have again agreed to sponsor the prizes. Sub-Group Work A draft updated Work Plan has been The Sub-Group are considering Plan Update produced, including new actions reflecting the draft work plan. ↑ the agreed Road Map.
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Page 198 Agenda Item 6b
NORTH EAST SCOTLAND TRANSPORT PARTNERSHIP – 20 June 2018
6b Publications and Consultations
Purpose of Report
The purpose of this report is to inform members of recent publications and consultation papers of interest and to agree a response where appropriate.
Consultations
❖ Consultation on Easier Rail Fares
On 4 June, the rail partnership organisation Britain Runs on Rail, with independent watchdog Transport Focus, launched a consultation into rail fares and ticketing regulation. The consultation is available from the following link: https://www.britainrunsonrail.co.uk/fares.html
Their intention is not to challenge the overall balance between farepayers and taxpayers but rather to seek an easier-to-use range of fares, aiming to maximise the benefits (to customers, businesses and the economy) of improvements in ticket-buying technology.
They note that decades of well-intentioned but outdated regulation have led to a range of fare options that have not kept pace with technology or how people work and travel today. Their intention is to simplify ticketing options and iron out anomalies in rail tickets.
Examples of some of the long-standing anomalies which are becoming increasingly apparent include: • ‘Through-ticket peak-time premiums’, where a customer takes a journey involving more than one leg. The first leg is on a peak-time train and the second leg is on an off-peak service. The customer might be charged a peak-time fare for the whole journey because regulation means train companies have to offer one through-fare. • Inflexible 7-day, monthly or annual season tickets, where smart ticketing could offer better products to passengers who work part time. Because smart schemes have been required to sell the same products as the paper tickets, this is often not possible.
The advent of digital ticketing and smartphones means there is potential to retail tickets in a way that lets more customers buy tickets where and when it suits them, and be confident they are paying the right fare. However, the inflexible nature of the current underlying fares structure and regulation limits the possibility to do this.
The consultation takes the form of an online survey and responses are mostly options of “Definitely consider/maybe consider/Do not consider/Don’t know or no opinion”. A draft response is attached as Appendix A to this report and members are invited to comment or adjust to form a Nestrans’ response.
The timeline for the consultation process is as follows - opens Monday 4 June; Public consultation closes Monday 10 September 2018. It is expected that a Final report will be produced in late autumn.
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Recommendations
It is recommended that the Board:
1. Note the consultation on Easier Rail Fares and approve the responses included in Appendix A as Nestrans’ response to the consultation.
RD/ 12 June 2018
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APPENDIX A Nestrans’ Draft Response to Easier Rail Fares consultation Part 1: Fare Structures
We know that rail fares can sometimes be confusing to customers and we are interested in your views about how rail fares should be structured in the future. To what extent do you think each of the following options should be considered in re-structuring rail fares?
In answering these questions please assume that:
• The overall average rail fare remains the same as now • Fares may be structured in a different way (so that some people pay more, some will pay less and others will pay the same as they do now) • The consultation does not advocate any of the options you will be presented, but seeks your views on a range of scenarios. All the options presented are broad concepts which would require further consideration and refinement.
1. Fares based on distance travelled (e.g. there is a cost per mile travelled). This may mean that some fares become higher than now and some become lower than now. Do not Consider
2. Fares based on the level of service received (e.g. fares for routes with a lower quality service - such as slower, less regular and more basic trains - are lower than fares for routes with a higher quality service). This may mean that some fares become higher than now and some fares become lower than now. Maybe consider
3. Fares where the cost is the same at all times of day and for all days of the week (e.g. fares are the same at busy (peak) and less busy (off-peak) times). This may mean that fares at off-peak times become higher than now and fares at peak times become lower than now. As a result trains during peak times may be busier than now. Do not consider
4. Fares based on time of booking (e.g. fares booked in advance of the day of travel are lower than fares available on the day of travel). This may mean that fares for customers booking on the day of travel become slightly higher than now. Do not consider
5. Fares based on the amount of flexibility required (e.g. fares for booking travel on a specific train service are lower). This may mean that customers wanting complete flexibility over when they travel pay slightly more than now. Definitely consider
6. Fares designed so that it is unnecessary to buy a ‘split-ticket’ in order to get the cheapest deal. At present, there are occasions when it is cheaper, when making a journey from A to C, to buy two or more separate tickets e.g. two tickets (A-B and B- C) may be cheaper than one ticket (A-C).
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If this were changed those who currently buy split tickets may pay a little more whereas those who currently buy through tickets may pay a little less. Definitely consider
7. Fares based on encouraging travel to fill up empty seats (e.g. more last minute deals to fill available seats). Even if this means different passengers paying different fares for the same journey. Definitely consider
8. Fares based on loyalty to regular travellers (e.g. regular travellers can earn discounts for future purchases). Even if that means higher fares for individual journeys using single and return tickets. Definitely consider
9. Fares which provide savings for certain groups in society (e.g. lower fares for certain groups in society such as young people, older people, people with disabilities). Even if this means slightly higher fares for other passengers. Definitely consider
10. Fares where both the outward and return journey fares are based on time of day travelled (e.g. return tickets replaced with easily combined one-way tickets, purchased together, enabling both outward and return journey fares to reflect time of travel, e.g. peak ticket for outward journey, off-peak ticket for return part of the journey). Maybe consider
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Reforming rail fares will involve balancing the needs of different customers and it is unlikely that a single approach will suit everyone. Which of the three options described below best reflects your preference for the range of rail fares available?
Option A No discounted tickets, standard ticket price lower than now
• The cost of a single fare between any two stations will always cost the same amount. • There will be no difference in price between travelling at busy times (peak) and less busy times (off-peak).
This may mean:
• There will be lower fares than now on busy services. • There will be higher fares than now on less busy services. • Trains are likely to be busier than now in the peak period.
Option B Discounted fares same as now, standard ticket price same as now
• On some routes, the cost of a single fare between any two stations will vary, in the same way as now. • There will be cheaper tickets available at less busy times (off-peak) on routes where this is currently offered. • There will be discounts for booking a ticket for specific trains in advance on routes where this is currently offered.
This may mean:
• Fares will be similar to now on busy services. • Fares will be similar to now on less busy services. • Trains are likely to carry the same number of passengers as now.
Option C Greater discounts than now, standard ticket price higher than now
• On some routes, the cost of a single fare between any two stations will vary, in the same way as now. • The difference in the cost of a single fare between any two stations at busy times (peak) and less busy times (off-peak) will be greater than it is now. • Discounts for booking specific trains in advance will be greater than now but fully flexible fares will cost more.
This may mean:
• There will be higher fares than now on busy services. • There will be lower fares than now on less busy services. • Trains are likely to be less busy than now in the peak period.
11. Please select the option that best reflects your preference for the range of rail fares available. Option C
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12. On a scale of 1 to 5, where 1 is very necessary and 5 is not necessary at all, to what extent do you consider it necessary to reform the way rail fares are currently structured? 2 Quite necessary
Part 2: Buying a ticket
We are interested in your views about how passengers should be able to look for, buy and receive rail tickets. To what extent do you think each of the following options should be considered?
In answering these questions please assume that:
• The range of rail fares is easier to use than it is at the moment and that the average rail fare remains the same. • Some people pay more whilst some pay less. • The options presented are broad concepts which would require further consideration and refinement.
13. Should a ticket cost the same however you buy it? Passengers using e-tickets (for example tickets on mobile phones, smart travel cards, and on contactless bank cards) could pay slightly less for their travel to reflect the cost savings for the train company, whilst those purchasing tickets at stations would pay slightly more. Maybe consider
14. Passengers who make the same journey on a regular basis could have a smart or electronic ticket and pay for each journey that they make. Once the total cost of all journeys reaches a maximum amount they won’t have to pay any more for the rest of the week, month or year. This is called a ‘price cap’. The benefit of a ‘price cap’ is that passengers automatically get the best value fare for each individual journey, and only pay for the travel that they use. Definitely consider
15. Online accounts could be available which can be used for rail and other of types of public transport e.g. bus, tram, underground and cycle hire. Account holders would be able to purchase, monitor, review and change travel arrangements online. Definitely consider
16. On a scale of 1 to 5, where 1 is very necessary and 5 is not necessary at all, to what extent do you consider it necessary to reform the ways in which tickets can be purchased? 2 Quite necessary
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Part 3: Any other thoughts
We would like you to have the opportunity to make any other comments about the issues you have considered in the previous questions or anything else you would like to say about fare structure reform. Please use the appropriate boxes provided below.
17. Comments on the factors which you think should influence rail fare structures e.g. peak/off-peak fares; advance fares, or anything else. There is a need to ensure that peripheral regions are not penalised through fare structures. Discounting lightly loaded services to maximise the opportunity to encourage more rail travel should be encouraged. It is suggested that fares structures should encourage use of less busy services by discounting quieter trains.
18. Comments on the factors which you think should influence how tickets are purchased e.g. online purchase, electronic ticketing, or anything else. Whilst encouraging technological advances and maximising use of online or smartphone technologies, it is important that those without access to such devices are not penalised. Options should be encouraged without penalties to those wishing to purchase tickets in a traditional way.
19. Any other comments.
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Page 206 Agenda Item 6c
NORTH EAST SCOTLAND TRANSPORT PARTNERSHIP – 20 June 2018
6c Other Publications
Purpose of Report
The purpose of this report is to inform members of recent publications and consultation papers of interest and to agree a response where appropriate.
Publications
❖ Planning Bill
The Planning (Scotland) Bill was published by the Scottish Government in December 2017. The Bill is part of the Scottish Government’s Review of Planning, which commenced in September 2015 with the appointment of an independent panel tasked to bring together ideas to achieve a quicker, more accessible and efficient planning process.
The Bill included proposed changes relating to enhancing the status of the National Planning Framework, removing the requirement to produce Strategic Development Plans and restructuring the processes for producing Local Development Plans.
Following the publication of the Bill, the Scottish Parliament’s Local Government and Communities Committee invited evidence on the Bill’s proposed content. The Strategic Development Planning Authority submission to this ‘Call For Evidence’ was agreed at the SDPA Meeting of 1st February 2018.
On 17th May 2018, the Committee agreed its final Stage 1 Report on the Bill. In summary, the Committee have recommended that Scottish Parliament agree the general principle of the Bill, but do also suggest some revisions, a number of which are particularly relevant for regional spatial planning. This was followed on the 24th May 2018 by the Scottish Government’s response to the Stage 1 Report, which can be found at the following link: http://www.parliament.scot/S5_Local_Gov/Reports/SG_Response_to_LGC_8th_Report_on_ S1_of_Planning_Bill.pdf
Regarding the removal of Strategic Development Plans, the Committee emphasised that they do not consider that the current statutory framework for regional planning should be repealed unless a more robust mechanism is provided to that currently proposed in the Bill. In response to this, the Scottish Government noted that:
“…we have reflected on the Committee’s views and noted the concerns it raises about political support and resources for strategic planning. The success of the National Planning Framework and its role in enabling a more modern approach to strategic planning will depend to a large extent on the level of investment and commitment that planning authorities and other stakeholders put into it.
“We will therefore look to amend the Bill at Stage 2 to introduce a clearer duty for local authorities to work together in strategic planning, while retaining flexibility about how they do so and which other authorities they collaborate with.”
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Regarding the proposed Infrastructure Levy, the Committee noted that greater clarity is required as to how it will work, and they have requested further information on the timetable as well as a commitment from the Scottish Government that the necessary draft regulations will all be laid in Parliament at the same time to allow for proper scrutiny. The Scottish Government responded to this request by providing an indicative timetable for progressing the detailed design of the levy, as well as noting that “further work is needed to investigate and develop a model that is practical and effective”.
With regards to concerns regarding the potential issues around aggregating levy income, the Scottish Government agreed in its response to forward an amendment to remove paragraph 14 of schedule 1.
Following the publication of the Scottish Government’s response to the Stage 1 Report, the Planning (Scotland) Bill was debated in the Scottish Parliament on the 29th May. Issues in the report were debated in more detail, particularly with reference to Strategic Development Plans, where a number of concerns were highlighted to the Planning Minister Kevin Stewart, who advised that Stage 2 will allow further flexibilities for local authorities to co-operate.
The general principles of the Stage 1 Bill were approved by parliament, with the green light to move on to Stage 2. Following this, the next step is to refer the Bill back to the Local Government and Communities Committee to debate and decide on the amendments proposed.
Once the Committee has agreed on any amendments, an ‘amended version’ of the Bill will be published. This is the version of the Bill that Parliament will consider at Stage 3, and the tentative date for this is September 2018. Stage 3 is the Final Consideration Stage and where the Bill will be subject to any final amendments and debated again by MSPs in the Chamber. After the Bill passes Stage 3 it will then go forward for Royal Assent. This is expected to happen later this year, after the period for any legal challenge has passed.
❖ Northern Isles Ferries
The passenger and freight ferry services between the Northern Isles and the Scottish mainland are essential to the economies and sustainability of both Orkney and Shetland Islands. The Scottish Ferries Plan did not make specific reference to what the provision for the Northern Isles Ferry Services (NIFS) should be beyond the duration of the current contract, currently operated by Serco Northlink.
The Scottish Government has announced a review of tendering ferry contracts and Transport Scotland commissioned Peter Brett Associates (PBA) to undertake a comprehensive transport appraisal, in line with the Scottish Transport Appraisal Guidance (STAG), which involves considering a number of potential options for the specification of the next NIFS Contract.
The STAG Pre-Appraisal and Part 1 stage of the appraisal identified the problems and opportunities with the NIFS services and generated a long list of options which were developed and appraised. The options covered:
• Vessels; • Timetables; • Public transport integration; • Parts of routes; and
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• Capacity.
The part 1 process was reported to the Northern Isles Ferry Services Working Group in June 2016.
Transport Scotland’s Appraisal of Options for the Specification of the 2018 NIFS Final Report, confirms security of the existing passenger and freight vessels for the new contract period. New tonnage in the form of additional vessels has not therefore been considered as part of the appraisal report, although the Minister for Transport and Islands has made reference to a need to consider additional tonnage. The Final Report is available to download at: https://www.transport.gov.scot/media/41903/final-report-appraisal-of-options-for- specification-of-2018-northern-isles-ferry-services-april-2018.pdf
The key points of the Final Report are outlined below however as the report was heavily redacted to protect commercially sensitive information, it was not possible to consider current load factors and what effect the introduction of Road Equivalent Tariffs (RET) may have on demand and supply.
Approach to Fare Setting
The report outlines the approach to fare setting on the NIFS routes confirming a variant option for the Aberdeen route.
The proposed tariff formula would result in reductions in passenger and car fares for standard fare payers across all seasons. Fare subsidies would be most marked in peak season, with vehicle fares reducing by nearly 50% and passenger fares by around 60% to Orkney and 25% to just over 40% respectively for Shetland. It should be noted that when comparing existing low season with RET these figures are less significant.
Although the price of cabins has been considered, Transport Scotland propose to maintain the current cabin fares structure for now. The possibility of a nominal percentage discount and simplification of pricing options at a later stage remains although the consequences of simplification need to be understood.
Demand and Capacity Impacts
Vehicle deck and cabin capacity has been the concern most frequently cited by residents and stakeholders even before any extra demand by lowering fares.
The report acknowledges that the implementation of RET, resulting in fare reductions will place a burden on available capacity. Therefore, it is likely that continuing with the current timetable will result in significant challenges in relation to capacity.
Unfortunately, due to heavy redaction within the report, it was not possible to understand the current passenger, vehicle and freight load by route and what effect lower fares may have on demand.
Due to confirmation of RET-type fares on the Northern Isles network, to be implemented later this year, it is likely that the existing level of capacity on both the Aberdeen and Scrabster networks will no longer be sufficient to meet demand.
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Potential Supply-Side Responses
The Transport Scotland report outlined a number of options to react to the change in demand, of which the main options are outlined in the table below:
Option Description Tt1 Do Minimum – continue with the current timetable
Tt2 Offer a Friday north and Sunday south call at Kirkwall
Tt3c Variations in the number of Kirkwall calls across the week.
Tt4 All sailings depart Aberdeen & Lerwick at 1900
Tt7 Operate a daily return sailing from Lerwick – Kirkwall
Tt9 Operate additional daytime sailings between Aberdeen-Kirkwall-Lerwick
Tt10 Operate additional daytime sailings between Aberdeen-Kirkwall-Aberdeen
Tt11 Operate three return sailings per day on Stromness–Scrabster all year round
Tt12 Operate three return sailings per day on Stromness-Scrabster for the full summer season, or another defined time period
Tt16 Agree a staggered timetable with Pentland Ferries offering 5 to 7 return crossings across the Pentland Firth per day
As a means to address capacity constraints on the Aberdeen sailings, a number of options have been considered. Some of these options will not be attractive for both archipelagos for example a later departure time from Aberdeen would be popular in Shetland but not the resulting later arrival in Orkney. Similarly a reduction in Kirkwall calls would be unpopular in Orkney but could increase capacity for Shetland.
For Orkney it is considered to be critical to retain the existing level of service on the Aberdeen route from Kirkwall. The report focuses on passenger and vehicle demand whilst an increasing issue for both Orkney and Shetland is the transport of freight to and from Aberdeen and the implications for car space, highlighted since the loss of the MV Daroja lift on lift off (LoLo) freight service. Initial feedback from Stakeholders is that the STAG report does not adequately tackle the freight component of the services.
Perhaps the most popular option from both perspectives is to operate additional daytime sailings between Aberdeen-Kirkwall-Lerwick. However, this would have significant implications on crewing and service reliability.
The options considered are summarised in table 5.1 of the Overall Summary of the Appraisal report (which can be accessed via the link provided above), including an indication of which are recommended to be taken forward or have been discounted.
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Recommendations
It is recommended that the Board:
1. Note the progress in regard to the Planning (Scotland) Bill; and 2. Note the publication of the Final Report appraising options for specifying the 2018 Northern Isles Ferry Services.
NL/RD/ 8 June 2018
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Page 212 Agenda Item 7a
NORTH EAST TRANSPORT PARTNERSHIP – 20 JUNE 2018
7a 2018/19 Budget Matters
Purpose of Report
To provide the Board with an update on the Partnership’s 2018/19 monitoring and forecast outturn position and to consider any budget or monitoring issues that may arise.
Background
The Board has requested that a general budget report be submitted to each meeting, monitoring expenditure, identifying any potential budget issues, and reporting on any particular expenditure requests. The reports are prepared jointly by the Nestrans office and Finance officers from Aberdeenshire Council.
Current Revenue & Capital Budget
Appendix 1 to this report sets out a summary budget monitoring statement of expenditure to 31 May 2018. This shows expenditure of £154,665.
It is early in the financial year and whilst little by way of expenditure has taken place, work programmes are progressing and the forecast for the year remains at the budgeted level.
Sustrans
It was previously reported that it was intended to claim the remaining 2017/18 potential grant from Sustrans that is associated with the cycling development officer post that is funded by Nestrans, subject to delivery by end May 2018 as follows:
Meldrum Meg Way - £14,300 Cycle counters at 6 locations in Aberdeen and 4 in Aberdeenshire - £79,200
The design work on Meldrum Meg Way has been claimed, but unfortunately the cycle monitoring counters could not be delivered in time to meet the deadline for submission of grant claims relating to 2017/18 and were not therefore ordered.
Strategic Transport Fund
The legal challenge successfully quashed The Strategic Transport Fund (STF). Therefore the opening balance of £1,847,449. Contractors have started requesting repayment of this money and so far £1,180,306 has been returned leaving a balance of £668,096.
Recommendation
It is recommended that the Board:
1. Note the monitoring position and forecast presented in Appendix 1.
Alan Wood Treasurer 12 June 2018
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Page 214 Appendix 1
SUMMARY OF INCOME & EXPENDITURE
Revised Actual to 2018/19 Actual v Description Budget May-18 Forecast Budget % Expenditure
Core Costs Partnership Office 429,020 100,346 429,020 23% Partner Support costs 84,070 14,012 84,070 17% Board Members Expenses 1,000 0 1,000 * Other Associated Costs 35,500 10,116 35,500 28% Rechargeable Costs 0 71 71 * 549,590 124,545 549,661 23% Regional Transport Strategy Health & Transport Action Plan 36,600 6,678 36,600 18% Bus Action Plan 60,310 347 60,310 1% Rail Action Plan 3,000 0 3,000 0% Freight Action Plan 0 0 0 * General 85,000 0 85,000 * Project Feasibility & Monitoring 243,000 0 243,000 0% Contingency 5,000 0 5,000 0% Travel Planning 141,350 22,094 141,350 16% Rechargeable Costs 0 200 200 * 574,260 29,319 574,460 5%
Coordination & Project Development 1,123,850 153,863 1,124,121 14%
Rail 1,912,000 0 1,912,000 0% Strategic Roads Capacity 492,500 0 492,500 0% Safety 211,120 0 211,120 0% Maintenance 207,300 0 207,300 0% Bus Improvements Energetica Corridor 282,500 0 282,500 0% General Corridors 632,000 0 632,000 0% Walking and Cycling Energetica Corridor 40,000 1 40,000 0% Strategic Corridors 693,818 0 693,818 0% Carbon Reduction & Air Quality 62,000 0 62,000 0% Various 389,181 0 389,181 0% Inverurie Interchange 120,000 0 120,000 0% Cycling Development Officer Grant 193,500 0 114,300 * Strategic Investment Programme 5,235,919 2 5,156,719 0%
City Region Deal 0 0 0 * Civitas/Portis 0 800 96,000 *
Total Expenditure 6,359,769 154,665 6,376,840 2% Income
Partner Contributions Aberdeen City Council 168,475 102,663 168,475 61% Aberdeenshire Council 173,375 125,563 173,375 72% Scottish Government - Core costs 782,000 130,333 782,000 17% Integrated Transport Fund 120,000 0 120,000 * Sustans 193,500 0 114,300 0% Capital Grant & Use of Balances 4,922,419 2 4,922,419 0% Investment Interest 0 512 6,922 * Other Income 0 271 271 * City Region Deal 0 0 0 * Civitas/Portis 0 800 96,000 * Total Income 6,359,769 360,144 6,383,762 6%
Operating (Surplus)/Deficit 0 (205,479) (6,922)
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Page 216 Agenda Item 7b
NORTH EAST TRANSPORT PARTNERSHIP – 20 June 2018
7b 2017/18 Annual Audit Plan
Purpose of Report
To inform the Board of the 2017/18 Annual Audit Plan provided by Audit Scotland which sets out the audit work to be undertaken to provide an opinion on the Partnership’s financial statements.
Background
Local Authorities and similar bodies are required to ensure that they demonstrate proper stewardship of their financial affairs. Auditors are appointed for a five year period and in line with standard practice, the rotation of auditors was announced last summer. For the five year period, commencing 2016/17 the auditor for the Partnership is Audit Scotland and the engagement lead is Anne MacDonald.
2017/18 Annual Audit Plan
An annual audit plan has been submitted which has been prepared in accordance with Audit Scotland’s Code of Audit Practice. As well as responsibilities relating to the audit of the financial statements, the plan sets out the wider scope requirements in respect of public sector audit. With regard to the Partnership’s wider scope, the auditor will focus on governance and transparency arrangements and financial sustainability. A copy of this plan which has been reviewed by finance officers is shown in Appendix 1 and provides an overview of the planned scope and timing of the audit.
Recommendations
It is recommended that the Board:
1. Note the audit plan provided by Audit Scotland
Alan Wood Treasurer 8 June 2018
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North East Scotland Transport Partnership Annual Audit Plan 2017/18
Prepared for North East Scotland Transport Partnership March 2018
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Who we are
The Auditor General, the Accounts Commission and Audit Scotland work together to deliver public audit in Scotland:
The Auditor General is an independent crown appointment, made on the recommendation of the Scottish Parliament, to audit the Scottish Government, NHS and other bodies and report to Parliament on their financial health and performance.
The Accounts Commission is an independent public body appointed by Scottish ministers to hold local government to account. The Controller of Audit is an independent post established by statute, with powers to report directly to the Commission on the audit of local government.
Audit Scotland is governed by a board, consisting of the Auditor General, the chair of the Accounts Commission, a non – executive board chair, and two non – executive members appointed by the Scottish Commission for Public Audit, a commission of the Scottish Parliament.
About us
Our vision is to be a world – class audit organisation that improves the use of public money.
Through our work for the Auditor General and the Accounts Commission, we provide independent assurance to the people of Scotland that public money is spent properly and provides value. We aim to achieve this by:
carrying out relevant and timely audits of the way the public sector manages and spends money
reporting our findings and conclusions in public
Identifying risks, making clear and relevant recommendations.
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Contents
Risks and planned work 4 Audit risks 4 Reporting arrangements 5 Audit fee 5 Responsibilities 5
Audit scope and timing 7 Financial statements 7 Materiality 7 Internal audit 9 Audit dimensions 9 Independence and objectivity 10 Quality control 11 Adding Value 11
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Risks and planned work
1. This annual audit plan contains an overview of the planned scope and timing of our audit and is carried out in accordance with International Standards on Auditing (ISAs), the Code of Audit Practice (the Code), and any other relevant guidance. The Code requires appointed auditors to provide an opinion on the financial statements and related matters and meet the wider scope requirements of public sector audit. The wider scope of public audit, defined in the Code, contributes to conclusions on the appropriateness, effectiveness and impact of corporate governance, performance management arrangements and financial sustainability.
2. Planned audit work should be risk based and proportionate to the nature and size of an audited body. Where the application of the full wider scope is judged by auditors not to be appropriate, Supplementary Guidance for appointed auditors offers a small body clause which allows narrower scope work to be carried out. Having considered the size and functions of North East Scotland Transport Partnership (NESTRANS), in our judgement the small body clause applies.
3. This plan identifies our audit work to provide an opinion on the financial statements and related matters and meet the reduced wider scope requirements as a small audited body.
Audit risks
4. Based on our discussions with staff, attendance at board meetings and a review of supporting information, Exhibit 1 sets out the main risk area for NESTRANS which requires specific audit testing.
Exhibit 1 2017/18 Key audit risks Audit Risk Source of assurance Planned audit work
Financial statement issues and risks
1 Risk of management override Owing to the nature of this Detailed testing of journal of controls risk, assurances from entries. management are not Review of accounting ISA 240 requires that audit work applicable in this instance. is planned to consider the risk of estimates. fraud, which is presumed to be a Focused testing of accruals significant risk in any audit. This and prepayments. includes consideration of the risk Evaluation of significant of management override of transactions that are outside controls in order to change the the normal course of position disclosed in the financial business. statements.
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Reporting arrangements
5. Audit reporting is the visible output for the annual audit. All annual audit plans and the outputs as detailed in Exhibit 2, and any other outputs on matters of public interest will be published on our website: www.audit-scotland.gov.uk.
6. Matters arising from our audit will be reported on a timely basis and will include agreed action plans. Draft management reports will be issued to the relevant officer(s) to confirm factual accuracy.
7. We will provide an independent auditor’s report to NESTRANS and the Accounts Commission setting out our opinions on the annual accounts and other information published with the accounts. We will also provide NESTRANS and the Accounts Commission with an Annual Audit Report containing observations and recommendations on significant matters which have arisen in the course of the audit.
Exhibit 2 2017/18 Audit outputs Audit Output Target date Board date
Annual Audit Report 31 August 2018 19 September 2018
Independent Auditor's Report 21 September 2018 Audited Accounts are scheduled to be approved by the Board on 19 September 2018.
Audit fee
8. The audit fee for the 2017/18 audit of NESTRANS is £10,450 (2016/17 £10,300). In determining the audit fee we have taken account of the risk exposure of the partnership and the planned management assurances in place. Our audit approach assumes receipt of the unaudited financial statements, with a complete working papers package by 30 June 2018.
9. Where our audit cannot proceed as planned through, for example, late receipt of unaudited financial statements, a supplementary fee may be levied. An additional fee may also be required in relation to any work or other significant exercises outwith our planned audit activity.
Responsibilities
The Board and Treasurer 10. Audited bodies have the primary responsibility for ensuring the proper financial stewardship of public funds, compliance with relevant legislation and establishing effective arrangements for governance, propriety and regularity that enable them to successfully deliver their objectives.
11. The audit of the financial statements does not relieve management or the Board, as those charged with governance, of their responsibilities.
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12. The Local Authority Accounts (Scotland) Regulations 2014 require the Board to scrutinise and approve the accounts in a two stage process:
by 31 August, the Board should consider the unaudited accounts
no later than 30 September, the Board should aim to consider the audited accounts and approve them for signature. Regulations require signature by the Chair, Director and Treasurer.
Appointed auditor 13. Our responsibilities as independent auditor are established by the 1973 Act for local government, the Code of Audit Practice (including supplementary guidance) and guided by the auditing profession’s ethical guidance.
14. Auditors in the public sector give independent opinions on the financial statements and other specified information accompanying the financial statements. In line with Supplementary Guidance for appointed auditors, we also review and report on the governance arrangements within the audited body and the transparency of financial and performance reporting including the body’s financial sustainability in the longer term. In doing this, we aim to support improvement and accountability.
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Audit scope and timing
Financial statements
15. The statutory financial statements audit will be the foundation and source for the majority of the audit work necessary to support our judgements and conclusions. We also consider the wider environment and challenges facing the public sector. Our audit approach includes:
understanding the business of the partnership and the associated risks which could impact on the financial statements
assessing the key systems of internal control, and establishing how weaknesses in these systems could impact on the financial statements
identifying major transaction streams, balances and areas of estimation and understanding how the partnership will include these in the financial statements
assessing the risks of material misstatement in the financial statements
determining the nature, timing and extent of audit procedures necessary to provide us with sufficient audit evidence as to whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement.
16. We will give an opinion on the financial statements as to whether they:
give a true and fair view in accordance with applicable law and the Code of Practice on Local Authority Accounting in the United Kingdom (the 2017/18 Code) of the state of affairs of NESTRANS as at 31 March 2018 and of its income and expenditure for the year then ended
have been properly prepared in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards as adopted by the European Union, as interpreted and adapted by the 2017/18 Code
have been prepared in accordance with the requirements of the Local Government (Scotland) Act 1973, the Local Authority Accounts (Scotland) Regulations 2014, and the Local Government in Scotland Act 2003.
Materiality
17. We apply the concept of materiality in planning and performing the audit. It is used in evaluating the effect of identified misstatements on the audit, and of any uncorrected misstatements, on the financial statements and in forming our opinion in the auditor's report. We calculate materiality at different levels as described below. The calculated materiality values for NESTRANS are set out in Exhibit 3.
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Exhibit 3 Materiality values Materiality level Amount
Planning materiality – This is the calculated figure we use in assessing the overall £29,000 impact of audit adjustments on the financial statements. It has been set at 1% of gross expenditure for the year ended 31 March 2018 based on the latest audited accounts for 2016/17.
Performance materiality – This acts as a trigger point. If the aggregate of errors £20,000 identified during the financial statements audit exceeds performance materiality this would indicate that further audit procedures should be considered. Using our professional judgement we have calculated performance materiality at 70% of planning materiality.
Reporting threshold (i.e. clearly trivial) – We are required to report to those £1,500 charged with governance on all unadjusted misstatements in excess of the ‘reporting threshold' amount. This has been calculated at 5% of planning materiality.
18. We review and report on other information published with the financial statements including the management commentary, annual governance statement and the remuneration report. Any issue identified will be reported to the Board.
Timetable 19. To support the efficient use of resources it is critical that a financial statements timetable is agreed with us for the production of the unaudited accounts. An agreed timetable is included at Exhibit 4 which takes account of submission requirements and planned Board meetings.
Exhibit 4 Financial statements timetable
Key stage Date
Consideration of unaudited financial statements by the Board as the body charged 20 June 2018 with governance
Latest submission date of unaudited annual accounts with complete working papers 30 June 2018 package
Latest date for final clearance meeting with the Treasurer 17 August 2018
Agreement of audited unsigned annual accounts 24 August 2018
Issue of Annual Audit Report including ISA 260 report to those charged with 31 August 2018 governance
Independent auditor’s report signed 21 September 2018
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Internal audit
20. Auditing standards require internal and external auditors to work closely together to make best use of available audit resources. We seek to rely on the work of internal audit wherever possible and as part of our planning process we carry out an assessment of the internal audit function. Internal audit is provided by David Hughes, Chief Internal Auditor at Aberdeenshire Council.
Adequacy of Internal Audit 21. We are also the auditors for Aberdeenshire Council and consequently, we have taken assurance from our review of internal audit carried out in connection with our audit of the council. We confirmed that the internal audit function complies with the relevant Public Sector Internal Audit Standards which enables us to take assurance from their documentation and reporting procedures.
Areas of reliance 22. Based on his evaluation of the council’s control environment, internal audit provides an annual assurance statement to NESTRANS covering the partnership’s use of council systems. This statement is intended to provide reasonable assurance on the adequacy and effectiveness of the internal control system and assists the Board in its preparation of its Annual Governance Statement. We review internal audit’s assurance statement as part of our planned audit work on the Annual Governance Statement.
Audit dimensions
23. Our wider audit is normally based on four audit dimensions that frame the wider scope of public sector audit requirements as shown in Exhibit 5.
Exhibit 5 Audit dimensions
24. As stated in paragraph 2, in our opinion the full application of the wider scope is not appropriate for NESTRANS. The partnership has a budget of approximately £5m split between managing a small team (£1.1m) and delivering a mix of projects (£3.7m). A major role for NESTRANS is working in partnership across the public sector to develop and deliver the Regional Transport Strategy. On the whole, the strategy involves large capital projects which are delivered by Aberdeen City and
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Aberdeenshire Councils and monitored by NESTRANS. Due to its co-ordination role, the transactions in the accounts are fairly routine and consequently, we have concluded that the small body clause is appropriate. However, as a minimum, the Code requires annual audit work on financial sustainability and the appropriateness of the disclosures in the governance statement. As a result, our wider dimension work will be restricted to financial sustainability and governance and transparency arrangements as set out in paragraphs 25 and 26.
Financial sustainability 25. As auditors, we consider the appropriateness of the use of the going concern basis of accounting as part of the annual audit. We will also comment on the body’s financial sustainability in the longer term. We define this as medium term (two to five years) and longer term (longer than five years) sustainability. We will carry out work and conclude on the:
effectiveness of financial planning in identifying and addressing risks to financial sustainability in the short, medium and long term
appropriateness and effectiveness of arrangements in place to address any identified funding gaps.
Governance and transparency 26. Governance and transparency is concerned with the effectiveness of scrutiny and governance arrangements, leadership and decision-making and transparent reporting of financial and performance information. Our 2016/17 Annual Audit Report included recommendations for NESTRANS to review its governance arrangements. We will review progress against these recommendations, conclude and report on whether:
NESTRANS can demonstrate that the governance arrangements in place are appropriate and operating effectively
there is effective scrutiny, challenge and transparency on decision-making and finance and performance reports
there is quality and timely financial and performance reporting.
Independence and objectivity
27. Auditors appointed by Audit Scotland must comply with the Code of Audit Practice and relevant supporting guidance. When auditing the financial statements, auditors must also comply with professional standards issued by the Financial Reporting Council and those of the professional accountancy bodies. These standards impose stringent rules to ensure the independence and objectivity of auditors. Audit Scotland has in place robust arrangements to ensure compliance with these standards including an annual “fit and proper” declaration for all members of staff. The arrangements are overseen by the Director of Audit Services who serves as Audit Scotland’s Ethics Partner.
28. The engagement lead (appointed auditor) for NESTRANS is Anne MacDonald, Senior Audit Manager. Auditing and ethical standards require the appointed auditor to communicate any relationships that may affect the independence and objectivity of audit staff. We are not aware of any such relationships pertaining to the audit of NESTRANS.
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Quality control
29. International Standard on Quality Control (UK and Ireland) 1 (ISQC1) requires that a system of quality control is established, as part of financial audit procedures, to provide reasonable assurance that professional standards and regulatory and legal requirements are being complied with and that the independent auditor’s report or opinion is appropriate in the circumstances.
30. The foundation of our quality framework is our Audit Guide, which incorporates the application of professional auditing, quality and ethical standards and the Code of Audit Practice (and relevant supporting guidance) issued by Audit Scotland and approved by the Accounts Commission. To ensure that we achieve the required quality standards, Audit Scotland conducts peer reviews, internal quality reviews and recently secured new arrangements for external quality reviews.
31. As part of our commitment to quality and continuous improvement, Audit Scotland will periodically seek your views on the quality of our service provision. We welcome feedback at any time and this may be directed to the engagement lead.
Adding Value
32. Through our audit work, we aim to add value to the partnership. We will do this by ensuring our Annual Audit Report provides a summary of the audit work done in the year together with clear judgements and conclusions on how well the partnership has discharged its responsibilities and how well it has demonstrated the effectiveness of its arrangements. Where it is appropriate, we will recommend actions that support continuous improvement and summarise areas of good practice identified from our audit work.
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North East Scotland Transport Partnership Annual Audit Plan 2017/18
If you require this publication in an alternative format and/or language, please contact us to discuss your needs: 0131 625 1500 or [email protected]
For the latest news, reports and updates, follow us on:
Audit Scotland, The Annexe, Woodhill House, Westburn Road, Aberdeen AB16 5GB T: 0131 625 1500 E: [email protected] www.audit-scotland.gov.uk
AS.1.3
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Agenda Item 7c
NORTH EAST TRANSPORT PARTNERSHIP – 20 JUNE 2018
7c Unaudited Annual Accounts for 2017/18
Purpose of Report
The Board is required to consider the unaudited annual accounts for 2017/18 and approve the final delay in drawdown.
Background
The Partnership prepares annual accounts to demonstrate the proper stewardship of its activities and management of its financial affairs.
Annual Accounts 2017/18
The unaudited annual accounts for 2017/18 are attached as Appendix 1 to this report. The Board will note the accounts are prepared in accordance with the Code of Practice for Local Authority Accounting in the United Kingdom 2017/18 (the Code) and presented in a format that follows International Financial Reporting Standards. The accounts are a complex document and Appendix 2 provides the standard budget monitoring statement for the year to 31 March 2018 to allow the Board to better relate the Partnership’s budget performance to the changes made in preparing the presentation of the accounts.
Appendix 2 shows a deficit of £37,905, this is because under accounting principles, adjustments have to be made for the pension fund. The amount of superannuation that Nestrans have put into the fund is stripped out and replaced with the current service cost as valued by the actuaries of the pension fund.
The unaudited annual accounts comprise a number of statements and the attention of the Board is drawn to the following areas in particular:
Page 2-8 Management Commentary
Page 9-10 Governance Statement
Page 16 Movements in Reserves Statement
Page 17 Comprehensive Income & Expenditure Statement
Page 18 Balance Sheet showing the unaudited financial position as at 31 March 2018.
Other prescribed financial statements are included as required along with notes to support the core accounts where these are considered appropriate.
The Governance Statement, pages 9 and 10, of the unaudited accounts, provides reasonable assurance that the general management structure, framework of financial regulation and internal control, level and quality of financial management information and level and method of accountability are adequate and effective.
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The value of contributions received by the Strategic Transport Fund, plus interest accrued, at 31 March 2018 is £1,839,338. This sum is included in the Balance Sheet on page 18 and included in Note 9 on page 28 of the accounts.
The Board are asked to consider the Management Commentary and Governance Statement sections of the draft accounts which includes a short description of the financial performance of the Partnership over the period. This is supported in more detail by the Budget Monitoring Statement attached as Appendix 2 and Note 15 on pages 34 and 35 of the draft accounts provides more detail on the performance of the Partnership.
Delay in Drawdown 2017/18
Requests for final delays in drawdown for 2017/18 to be carried forward into 2018/19 are set out in Appendix 3. An amount of £2,080,419 has already been previously approved by the Board. The final adjustments requested to these figures are required for those projects whose expenditure at year end differed to the original amounts approved as delay in drawdown, either due to progress being slightly better or slower than expected.
Recommendations
It is recommended that the Board:
a) considers the unaudited annual accounts for 2017/18 and approves their issue to the external Auditor and the Controller of Audit. b) approves the final delay in drawdown for 2017/18 as per Appendix 3.
Alan Wood Treasurer 20 June 2018
Page 232 Page 233 Page 234 Page 235 Page 236 Page 237 Page 238 Page 239 Page 240 Page 241 Page 242 Page 243 Page 244 Page 245 Page 246 Page 247 Page 248 Page 249 Page 250 Page 251 Page 252 Page 253 Page 254 Page 255 Page 256 Page 257 Page 258 Page 259 Page 260 Page 261 Page 262 Page 263 Page 264 Page 265 Page 266 Page 267 Page 268 Page 269 Page 270 Page 271 Page 272 Page 273 Page 274 Page 275 Page 276 Page 277 Page 278 Appendix 2
SUMMARY OF INCOME & EXPENDITURE
Revised Actual to 2017/18 Actual v Description Budget Mar-18 Forecast Budget % Expenditure
Core Costs Partnership Office 414,280 425,585 425,585 103% Partner Support costs 84,070 74,812 74,812 89% Board Members Expenses 1,000 0 0 * Other Associated Costs 35,500 33,876 33,876 95% Rechargeable Costs 0 0 0 * 534,850 534,273 534,273 100% Regional Transport Strategy Health & Transport Action Plan 46,200 41,805 41,805 90% Bus Action Plan 38,500 36,746 36,746 95% Rail Action Plan 3,000 3,000 3,000 100% Freight Action Plan 0 0 0 * General 55,000 48,939 48,939 * Project Feasibility & Monitoring 142,000 162,125 162,125 114% Contingency 5,000 0 0 0% Travel Planning 94,300 79,670 79,670 84% Rechargeable Costs 0 59,185 59,185 * 384,000 431,469 431,469 112%
Coordination & Project Development 918,850 965,742 965,742 105%
Rail 200,000 229,749 229,749 115% Strategic Roads Capacity 176,500 179,328 179,328 102% Safety 173,728 166,811 166,811 96% Maintenance 252,651 257,629 257,629 102% Bus Improvements Energetica Corridor 150,088 144,672 144,672 96% General Corridors 58,921 60,924 60,924 103% Walking and Cycling Energetica Corridor 100,000 99,042 99,042 99% Strategic Corridors 339,350 332,885 332,885 98% Carbon Reduction & Air Quality 222,474 232,686 232,686 105% Various 123,341 123,016 123,016 100% Cycling Development Officer Grant 0 53,159 53,159 * Strategic Investment Programme 1,797,053 1,879,901 1,879,901 105%
City Region Deal 0 78,637 78,637 * Civitas/Portis 0 32,080 32,080 *
Total Expenditure 2,715,903 2,956,360 2,956,360 109% Income
Partner Contributions Aberdeen City Council 74,875 51,263 51,263 68% Aberdeenshire Council 61,975 31,616 31,616 51% Scottish Government - Core costs 782,000 782,000 782,000 100% Integrated Transport Fund 97,522 97,522 97,522 100% Sustans 0 53,159 53,159 * Capital Grant & Use of Balances 1,699,531 1,729,219 1,729,219 102% Investment Interest 0 3,774 3,774 * Other Income 0 59,185 59,185 * City Region Deal 0 78,637 78,637 * Civitas/Portis 0 32,080 32,080 * Total Income 2,715,903 2,918,456 2,918,456 107%
Operating (Surplus)/Deficit 0 37,905 37,905
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Page 280 Coordination & Project Development Appendix 3
Delay in Total Delay Drawdown Request for In Approved final Delay in Drawdown Budget Head 17/18 Drawdown from 17/18 Note Health & Transport Action Plan H&T actions 0 4,275 4,275 Bus Action Plan BAP actions 6,500 0 6,500 General ASAM modelling and Cumulative Transport Appraisal 85,000 0 85,000 Project Feasibility and monitoring Bridge of Dee 19,000 0 19,000 Cross City Connections Study - Stag Part 2 29,000 (24,336) 4,664 Wellington Road multi-modal study 32,500 (536) 31,964 Contingency Contingency 0 13,337 13,337 Travel Planning Sustainable travel grant scheme 6,000 0 6,000 Travel Planning 9,500 7,260 16,760
187,500 0 187,500 Strategic Investment Programme
Rail Kintore Railway Station and car park 837,000 (29,749) 807,251 Insch 25,000 25,000 Southern Stations Car Park Study 30,000 30,000 Dyce Station Bid Preparation 20,000 20,000 Strategic Roads - Capacity AWPR Signage - Aberdeenshire 12,500 12,500 Strategic Roads - Safety A92 / A90 Lower Northwater Bridge road studs 1,680 1,680 A944 / B993 to A97 road studs 28,630 28,630 A97 / A944 to Formartine road studs 30,810 30,810 A947 Road Safety Improvements 55,000 1,152 56,152 Bus Improvements - Energetica Corridors Ellon Park & Ride 282,500 5,416 287,916 Bus Improvements - Strategic Corridors A93 Crathes Mini-hub 62,000 (1,078) 60,922 Oldmeldrum Interchange Hub 35,000 (925) 34,075 Walking & Cycling - Strategic Corridors A96 Inverurie to Kintore 204,418 14,875 219,293 Feasibility and Design of Future Cycleway Schemes in 5 ITTs 13,000 514 13,514 Long Distance Path Development 14,000 2,264 16,264 River Don Paths - Farburn 34,000 34,000 River Don Paths - Mugiemoss Link 33,100 33,100 Seaton Park Entrances 10,700 10,700 River Don Paths - Arjo Wiggins 39,400 39,400 Junction alterations LIB detailed design A90/Langstracht and A90/Broomhill 12,000 (7,237) 4,763 Middlefield + Northfield Active Travel Project 93,500 (3,261) 90,239 Carbon Reduction & Air Quality Hydrogen Fuel Cell Vans 17,000 (10,212) 6,788 Various Fraserburgh/Peterhead to Aberdeen Strategic Transport Study - Stag part 2 35,000 35,000 VMS Phase 3 - A90 (N), A947 and A93 154,181 154,181
2,080,419 (28,241) 2,052,178
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Page 282 Agenda Item 8
NORTH EAST SCOTLAND TRANSPORT PARTNERSHIP – 20 JUNE 2018
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.
Gender Equality
The Gender Representation on Public Boards (Scotland) Act 2018 was passed by the Scottish Parliament earlier this year.
The Act sets an objective for public boards that 50% of non-executive members are women by the end of 2022. It also requires action to encourage women to apply to become non- executive members of public boards.
At present the Nestrans Board has four non-executive members and one (25%) is a woman.
The Nestrans Executive has eight staff and three (37.5%) are male and five (62.5%) are female.
There is currently work ongoing at a local and national level, to encourage more women into STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths) careers and into leadership roles in Transportation. One of our female staff members is taking part in the Routes to Leadership Programme, as part of the Roads Collaboration Programme. Another female staff member is currently Chair of the Young Professionals group for CIHT in Scotland and is currently being sponsored by Nestrans to do her MA in Transport Planning at Napier University, Edinburgh on a part time/day release basis.
Civitas Portis Update
Members will be aware that Nestrans are a partner in the European project Civitas Portis and are involved in eight of the eleven work packages locally. Through the project, which has attracted 100% funding from the Horizon 2020 package, Nestrans has commissioned work on better understanding the difficulties in attracting patronage to Park & Ride sites and on Travel Planning Support focusing on the North Dee, Altens and Tullos areas. This work has been commissioned to Aecom for the Park & Ride work and SWECO on Travel Planning. Reports will be brought to Board on the findings of these studies in due course.
Visitors from Antwerp in Belgium and Klaipeda in Lithuania (who are partner cities) were in Aberdeen on the 6th and 7th of June to see and hear about what Aberdeen has been doing as part of the Civitas Portis projects. Nestrans gave presentations to them on the Getabout Partnership and Freight.
Nestrans leads on the Freight work packages and has commissioned a Freight Advisor, who is supporting on various aspects of the freight delivery for the project.
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Page 283 The Annual General Assembly for the project will be held in Constanta in Romania in September. Nestrans will be represented at the partners’ meeting, which is eligible for reimbursement from the project budget, by Rab Dickson.
Freight Forum
Nestrans facilitates a North East Freight Forum in support of the Freight Action Plan. The Forum is chaired by Eddie Anderson and provides an opportunity for businesses and hauliers to receive and comment on developing freight policy and actions.
The next meeting of the Freight Forum is scheduled to meet at the Brentwood Hotel in Aberdeen on Tuesday 19 June and will provide an update on major projects, the Civitas Portis project and opportunities going forward. It will also include a workshop session into distribution issues and lorry parking issues across the north east.
Greengauge21
On 28 May, Greengauge 21 launched their vision for High Speed Rail network connecting the UK’s major cities, in their policy document Beyond HS2. The group, a not-for-profit research and promotion organisation, are calling for a national network that is fully integrated with the existing rail system and believe that there is a need for a reorientation from a single “hub and spoke” based around London, to a network which improves links between all cities, utilising both high speed lines and enhanced existing network.
They identify the need for a National Strategy and better links between provincial cities and identify upgrading the East Coast Main Line as a high priority, but do not suggest High Speed lines north of Edinburgh. They also suggest consideration of a new line from Edinburgh-Perth, with new crossings of the Forth and Tay – these would have significant benefits for north east Scotland. The full report is available from Greengauge’s website at: http://www.greengauge21.net/wp-content/uploads/Beyond_HS2WEB-1.pdf
Aberdeen to Inverness Rail Upgrade
Members will be aware that Transport Scotland and Network Rail are currently implementing a major upgrade of the Aberdeen-Inverness railway line, with works presently ongoing between Aberdeen-Dyce. This has necessitated a closure of the line between May and August with replacement bus services providing links.
The work will enable dualling of most of the track between Aberdeen-Inverurie by end 2019 and the introduction of the “Revolution in Rail” enhanced services. It will also facilitate the construction of a new station at Kintore, as reported previously to the Board.
Local Rail Development Fund Bid
Members will recall at the last meeting of the Board that it was reported that Transport Scotland had issued an invitation to Regional Transport Partnerships, local authorities and others to submit bids for funding support for rail schemes. A budget of £2 million has been set aside in 2018/19 towards developing community-led options. The Board on 18 April instructed officers to develop a bid for improving access for all at Insch station and to submit an application, subject to consultation with Chair and Vice Chairs.
A bid was prepared by Nestrans and Aberdeenshire Council officers and circulated to office bearers and was submitted by the deadline of 8th June. The bid seeks £25,000 from the
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Page 284 fund to match budget previously approved as Nestrans’ contribution, to enable an appraisal of options for improving access to the south (west-bound) platform at Insch.
A copy of the bid is attached for members’ information as Appendix A to this report.
Sustrans Funding
Both Aberdeen City and Aberdeenshire Councils have received significant funding awards totalling nearly £400,000 under the Sustrans Community Links Programme for projects aimed at improving and increasing walking and cycling facilities.
More than 100 projects across Scotland received funding awards totalling £27m through the first phase of the programme.
In Aberdeen City, ten separate projects received a total award of £183,455. These include segregated cycle lanes on Craigshaw Drive, a pedestrian/cycle access to and from Seaton Park, the second phase of a place-making project in Middlefield and shared paths on the Parkway and between the Bridge of Dee and RGU.
In Aberdeenshire, seven projects received a total award of £210,000. These include various Integrated Travel Town links such as one from Maconochie Road to the Town Centre in Fraserburgh, one from Inverurie Academy to the south side of the town and design work on the strategic walking and cycling routes between Ellon and Balmedie, Kintore and Blackburn and Portlethen to Marywell.
To further progress these projects, there will be additional funding available for construction, conditional on the applying organisation matching the funding award provided.
The funds are open to Local Authorities and other public and third sector organisations that can demonstrate an ability to deliver and maintain the infrastructure for which they are applying. In the North-East, it has been general only the Councils that have applied for funding. Nestrans intend looking to encourage and support organisations such as NHS Grampian and Community Councils with relevant applications for funding.
Community Links has a rolling programme of funding until early March 2019.
Getabout
Getabout Evaluation
The Getabout partnership is undergoing an evaluation of the Getabout brand and advertising. The evaluation will be undertaken by ‘Ideas in Partnership’ who have carried out an evaluation of Getabout and undertaken surveys and focus groups. We are awaiting the final report, which will be reported to a future meeting of the Board. Results of the evaluation will be fed into the Events and Communications Plan for 2018/19 and be reported to members for information once available.
Getabout website
In the period 1st May 2017 to 1st May 2018 there were 2,506 visitors to the site, of which 2,473 were new visitors (roughly 88% new, 11% returning). From these visitors, there were 5,910 page views.
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Events and Marketing
Recent events include attending the City Cycling Tour Series on 24th of May in Union Terrace Gardens, Aberdeen. Upcoming Events include:
Bike Week (9 – 17 June) where the Getabout Cycle Road Show will be out and about at schools, as well as publicly available in Duthie Park and Hazlehead Park.
Clean Air Day is taking place for the second year on 21st of June. Getabout along with our Environmental Health Colleagues from Aberdeen City Council, will be having a stand outside the St Nicholas Shopping Centre in Aberdeen to promote Clean Air Day.
Spring/Summer Cycling Casualty Reduction Campaign: Driver and Cyclist Awareness Campaign
Statistical data over a period of five years from 2012-2016 shows a trend of increased cycling casualties on Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire roads over the summer months. The Casualty Reduction Partnership, Road Safety North East Scotland and Getabout have united to run a safety awareness campaign over the summer period in a bid to highlight safety concerns by highlighting the need for vigilance, to both cyclists and vehicle drivers alike.
Looking vs Attention: over 50% of local road cycle accidents happen at junctions and roundabouts – a time when our senses are flooded with information and our brains busy trying to process it all to make a decision. The campaign seeks to encourage both cyclists and drivers not just to ‘look’ but to really ‘see’ what’s going on.
The campaign is currently being run on Bus rear posters, supported by Social Media and Radio adverts (Northsound 1 and 2 and Original FM).
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Page 286 Nestrans Press Releases
Since the last meeting of the Board, Nestrans website has carried the following press releases, including those issued by partners (the full press release and details are available from the Nestrans’ website):
11TH APRIL 2018 Road safety group’s provisional figures show north east road deaths at forty year low The number of people fatally injured on north east roads is at its lowest level since current records began in 1974, provisional road casualty data shows. The figures have been highlighted by Road Safety North East Scotland (RSNES), a partnership of public bodies promoting safe road use locally. Provisional statistics reveal that during 2017, 14 people died as a result of their involvement in a road traffic collision in the combined local authority areas of Aberdeen, Aberdeenshire and Moray……Read More
16TH APRIL 2018 Nestrans strengthen Board with new appointment Nestrans has strengthened its Board appointing a new non-Councillor Board Member following approval from Scottish Ministers. Following a recruitment period late last year, Nestrans was pleased to appoint Mr. Ian Ross to the position, a Chartered Civil Engineer with over 40 years of experience of working on a wide range of transport and related infrastructure projects in and around the North-east. Mr. Ross, who will join the board for his first meeting this Wednesday (18 April), is a consultant for Fairhurst Consulting Engineers….. Read More
19TH APRIL 2018 Operation Close Pass launched in North East An initiative to highlight the safety of cyclists has been launched in the North East. Operation Close Pass was originally introduced in Edinburgh in 2017, and sees drivers who pass an unmarked police cyclist too closely being stopped and given advice. A specially designed mat is used for this which shows how much space a pedal cyclist should be given when being overtaken by a motor vehicle. ……Read More
23RD APRIL 2018 Major work to double-track railway between Aberdeen and Dyce set to begin Network Rail engineers will be working around-the-clock from mid-May to deliver a multi- million-pound upgrade to the railway between Aberdeen and Dyce. From May 12 to August 20 2018, the line between Aberdeen and Dyce will be closed to allow engineers to double the track through the area and carry out bridge upgrades and signalling enhancements. During the 14-week closure, hundreds of engineers will work thousands of hours laying a total of 12 miles of rail over 20,000 sleepers and replacing or refurbishing five bridges on the line. … Read More
Marketing and Public Relations Update
A summary of Nestrans’ marketing and PR activities in recent months are attached in Appendix B to this report.
Recommendation
It is recommended that the Board note the contents of this report.
RD/LJ/KW 6 June 2018
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Page 291 Appendix B
Nestrans Communications Report 7 April 2018 – 4 June 2018
Nestrans Media Releases & Statements Issued Date Type Details Nestrans strengthen Board with new appointment 16.04.18 Press Release New member Ian Ross will attend the April Board Meeting following his appointment.
Nestrans Director interviewed by Energy Voice for 27.04.18 Interview infrastructure article
Nestrans News Coverage
Date Media Headline Details
Transport chief urged to Nestrans is set to write to the put brakes on ‘cluster Transport Minister, Humza 13.04.18 Evening Express site’ ruling over Yousaf, asking for more flexibility locations for speed in the location of speed cameras. camera sites
Nestrans adds new Chartered civil engineer Ian Ross 17.04.18 Evening Express members to its board has joined the Nestrans board.
A report on external funding for transport projects for 18/19 will be discussed at Aberdeen City Report will reveal funds Council’s city growth and 18.04.18 Evening Express available for transport resources meeting. schemes for city council Article highlights that the council have been awarded funds from the Nestrans revenue budget for three projects.
Network Rail has submitted plans to Aberdeenshire Council for the Plans submitted for new 03.05.18 Evening Express new Kintore Station. Nestrans railway station in n-east work for the project referenced in article.
The AWPR will help “anchor” the Press and Bypass will help anchor 10.05.18 oil and gas supply chains to the Journal (Energy supply chain north-east, transport body
8 Information Bulletin Page 10
Page 292 Voice) Nestrans believes. Article following interview with Nestrans Director.
Fewer people are using buses in parts of the north-east, leading to a call for action from councillors. New ways of speeding It is hoped that the efforts of the up north-east bus 14.05.18 Evening Express North East of Scotland Bus journeys could help halt Alliance, including measures drop in passengers such as bus priority and subsidising non-profitable vital routes, will help attract passengers.
New safety signs installed at Toll of Birness junction, welcomed by Flashing signs councillors. 15.05.18 Evening Express welcomed as calls made to upgrade route Article notes that Nestrans are looking into options to improve safety on the route.
Council chiefs claim the north- east is working with “one hand tied behind its back” due to rail services that lag behind the rest of the country. Aberdeenshire Council leaders Press and Investment delay poses have derided “slow progress” on 01.06.18 Journal rail headache £200million in rail improvements south of Aberdeen. Article quotes Nestrans Chair and references Humza Yousaf’s visit to the Nestrans board and the discussions had with the Minister on the matter.
North-east local authorities have been awarded more than £390,000 in funding to improve travel links from the Sustrans Travel links to be Community Links Fund. improved as nearly 04.06.18 Evening Express £400,000 given to north- £183,455 was funded by the east councils charity for the design of 10 different projects with Aberdeen City Council. £210,000 was given to Aberdeenshire for seven different projects.
8 Information Bulletin Page 11
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Page 294 Agenda Item 9
NORTH EAST SCOTLAND TRANSPORT PARTNERSHIP – 20th June 2018
9 Conferences and Presentations
Recent and Forthcoming Conferences of Interest to Nestrans
Conf Cost Nestrans Date Location Title Organiser (Excl. Attendees Vat)
Thursday 26th Robert Aberdeen South Civitas Portis nil Rab Dickson April 2018 Gordon Harbour and partners and Jenny University Strategic Transport Anderson Projects Tuesday 1st Woodhill Health & Transport HTAP nil Gerry Donald, May 2018 House Networking Event Derick Murray, Rab Dickson and Kelly Wiltshire Friday 4th May Pitlochry SCOTS Annual Society of Chief £240 Derick Murray 2018 Seminar Officers of and Kelly Transportation Wiltshire in Scotland Tuesday 8th The CIHT Scotland Chartered £65.27 Nicola Laird May 2018 Highland Highland Institute of Council Conference Highways & Office, Transport Inverness Scotland Wednesday Glentanar Touring and the Visit nil Jon Barron 9th May 2018 Estate Great Outdoors Aberdeenshire Office Tuesday 22nd Glasgow Scottish Transport Transport £185 Jenny Anderson May 2018 Caledonian Applications & Scotland and per and Jon Barron University Research (STAR) others person Conference Wednesday Altens Hotel Leading on cyber Scottish nil Derick Murray 23rd May 2018 resilience in the Government public sector Wednesday University Big Data Civitas Portis nil Jenny Anderson 30th May 2018 of Aberdeen partners Friday 1st June Woodhill Aberdeen City Aberdeenshire nil Derick 2018 House Region Deal – Council Murray/Rab Strategic Transport Dickson Appraisal
9 Conferences & Presentations.docx Page 295
Conf Cost Nestrans Date Location Title Organiser (Excl. Attendees Vat)
Wednesday University CTR 10th Centre for nil Jenny Anderson 6th June 2018 of Aberdeen Anniversary Event Transport and Kelly Research Wiltshire Tuesday 12th University Travel and Environmental nil Kelly Wiltshire June of Dundee Transport TSN and Association for ACT Travelwise Universities and Scotland Colleges Wednesday Falkirk Transport Scotland Transport Nil Kelly Wiltshire 20th June Community Electric Vehicle Scotland Stadium, Launch Event Falkirk Wed 5th – Fri Constanta, Annual General Civitas Portis nil Rab Dickson 7th September Romania Assembly 2018
Other Training
Cost Date Location Title Organiser (excl. Attendees VAT)
Wednesday Marischal Model for Aberdeen nil Rab Dickson 23rd May 2018 College Improvement Prospers Wed/Thursday Edinburgh Better by Design Sustrans nil Jon Barron 20th-21st June 2018
Presentations by Nestrans Press Organisation Date Location Presentation Title Involve Presenters and Audience ment
6th June 2018 Town Getabout Civitas Portis No Kelly Wiltshire House, Partnership visitors from Aberdeen Antwerp and Klaipeda 7th June 2018 Town Freight and & Civitas Portis No Rab House, Freight Routeing. visitors from Dickson/Jim Aberdeen What are the Antwerp and Cargill challenges around Klaipeda freight? Tuesday 20th TBC, Keynote address, Scotland Policy No Derick Murray November Edinburgh Next Steps for Conferences 2018 transport in Scotland
06 June 2018
9 Conferences & Presentations.docx Page 296 Agenda Item 10
NORTH EAST SCOTLAND TRANSPORT PARTNERSHIP – 20 June 2018
10 Pending Business and Reports for Future Meetings
Purpose of Report
The purpose of this report is to advise of progress on pending business requested by the Board and major reports scheduled for forthcoming Board meetings, and to provide the opportunity for the Board to add to or amend this scheduling.
Background
It has been agreed that this be a standing item on the Board's agenda, listing progress on major areas of work which are not yet in final form to report to the Board with reasons for any delays explained, together with a provisional list of major reports for future Board meetings.
Pending Business
Reports highlighted previously as pending or which the Board has requested reports on, which are included in this agenda are:
o Annual Monitoring Report; and o Annual Audit Plan 2017/18.
Major Reports for Future Meetings
It is intended to bring reports on the following items to future meetings of the Board:
o National Transport Strategy progress; o Local Code of Corporate Governance; o Programme for developing a Revised Regional Transport Strategy; o Fraserburgh and Peterhead to Aberdeen Strategic Transport Study – additional rail considerations; o Civitas Portis – studies on Park & Ride research and Travel Planning; o Rail Action Plan – Mearns Stations Study and Insch access options; o City Centre Masterplan progress; o Wellington Road STAG Part 1; and o Bridge of Dee STAG 2 report.
Recommendation
It is recommended that the Board note the report on pending business and agree the provisional scheduling of major reports to future Board meetings.
RD/11 June 2018
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