2015 Edition

Review 2015 Edition

Foreword p01 2014 Events p03 Expanding the network p06 On track p08 Cutting edge p10 Improving the journey p12 Vision p16

2014 has seen record levels of investment in active travel Chief Executive Foreword 01

Events that took place in 2014 represented a momentous year for Transport Scotland and all its staff. I am pleased to present Transport Scotland’s sixth Annual Review, reporting on some of our headline achievements over what was an exceptional year for transport, seeing a £1.9 billion pound investment during 2014/15.

Our focus throughout the year remained firmly The Traffic Scotland National Control Centre and Contact on delivering Ministers’ transport priorities and and Education Centre achieved success at the 12th commitments. Annual Scottish Transport Awards in June 2014, winning the excellence in Travel Information & Marketing category. The start of the year 2014-15 marked 100 days to The ScotRail franchise process received high praise from the commencement of the Glasgow Commonwealth Audit Scotland and the same body judged the process Games, where we played a significant role in the planning for the acquisition of Prestwick Airport to be reasonable and delivery of arrangements to ensure that the transport in the tight timescale. The year also saw the launch of network made a full and lasting contribution to the the Hydrogen Bus Refueling Station in Aberdeen. success of the event. Significant investment in transport infrastructure and services was showcased in a very The First Minister marked the start of work on the positive light, ensuring that Glasgow delivered what has Aberdeen Western Peripheral Route/Balmedie-Tipperty since been termed ‘the best games ever’. We were also road scheme (AWPR/B-T). The average speed camera a major contributor to the success of the 2014 Ryder system, covering sections of the A9 between Dunblane Cup, and this, together with all of the events that took and Inverness, has already seen a significant reduction place in 2014, represented a momentous year for in speeding in some sections of the route. We continue Transport Scotland and all its staff. to build strong foundations for modal shift to sustainable and active travel, with on-going development of cycling The latter part of 2014 saw new Ministers for the and electric charging infrastructure, promotion of Transport Sector. We were delighted to see Keith low carbon vehicles such as “green buses” and Brown MSP promoted to Cabinet Secretary and encouragement of associated behavioural change. welcomed a new Minister for Transport and Islands, Derek Mackay MSP. Finally, we concluded the year with Derek Mackay MSP, Minister for Transport and Islands hosting the We progressed the Scottish Government’s £3.5 billion first ever Scottish Transport Accessibility summit, rolling programme of rail electrification and improvements launching an ongoing collaborative venture to make and we also announced the award of the new ScotRail and sure that disabled people enjoy the same access Caledonian Sleeper franchises. Progress continued on the to transport as everyone else. new Borders Railway, which is due to open in September 2015. Other significant milestones in year included the A75 I thank all colleagues involved and also acknowledge Dunragit Bypass and the A77 Symington and Bogend Toll our partners across Scotland, who played a significant Improvements scheme, both of which opened to traffic in role in making this extraordinary year such a success. 2014. The A9 Dualling also reached a significant milestone with the award of three design consultancy contracts. New air routes were introduced, including those from Edinburgh to Philadelphia as well as Chicago and Doha. David Middleton The new MV Loch Seaforth was introduced to the Chief Executive Stornoway-Ullapool route this year. Transport Scotland

Forth Replacement Crossing central pier construction 02 Transport Scotland - Annual Review 2015 2014 Events 03

2014 MOMENTOUS FOR SCOTLAND’S TRANSPORT INFRASTRUCTURE AND SERVICES Glasgow Central Station during the Commonwealth Games (Photo courtesy of Scott Hutchison, @WesternSMT Flickr) 04 Transport Scotland - Annual Review 2015 2014 Events 05

2014 was a momentous Working with partners and the country’s key transport stakeholders, year for Scotland’s Transport Scotland took an oversight transport infrastructure role in reviewing the transport planning arrangements and operational delivery and services. It presented of major events. With £1 billion invested in transport for the Commonwealth an excellent opportunity, Games alone, and hundreds of made through a collective thousands of journeys made, transport played a vital role in the success of 5.6m effort, to showcase these Games, the Ryder Cup and people passed through Glasgow Central (high level) other 2014 Homecoming events. Scotland’s transport and Edinburgh Waverley - more than double normal levels network to a global On 4th August, Glasgow hosted the inaugural event to commemorate audience of over the centenary of the Great War. This a billion people. was centred at Glasgow Cathedral and George Square. Transport Scotland played an active role in the complex journey planning, ensuring people 1800 going to and from the different Games additional train services ran from and Commemorative events were and to Glasgow Central Station able to travel unhindered.

Commonwealth Games Transport Scotland delivered all transport infrastructure projects listed 7% the amount of traffic flows as Games commitments, including the went up on average (compared Airdrie-Bathgate railway construction, with a similar period in 2013) Dalmarnock station rebuild and M74 extension. These projects will leave a lasting legacy of reduced journey times, and of new and enhanced sustainable public transport, for the benefit of the whole of Scotland.

Ryder Cup £3.5m As a legacy benefit of the 2014 Ryder invested in Gleneagles Cup, Gleneagles Station was upgraded Station redevelopment to provide safe access to the golf course for pedestrians and to provide lasting access for disabled people. Both the completion of the Gleneagles Station refurbishment and the opening of the new link road connecting the station to the nearby A9 were key to 50,100 the Ryder Cup success. On each of train journeys to and from the three match days an average Gleneagles during the Cup of 45,000 spectators from across the world attended the event at Gleneagles. Gleneagles Rail Station

This page: The Forth Replacement Project 06 Transport Scotland - Annual Review 2015 Major Transport Infrastructure Projects 07

Aberdeen Western Peripheral Route/ M8 M73 M74 Motorway A96 Dualling Inverness - Aberdeen Balmedie to Tipperty (AWPR/B-T) Improvements The Strategic Business Case for dualling In December 2014, Scotland’s Construction work on the £500m M8 the A96 and the first Environmental largest Non Profit Distributing (NPD) M73 M74 Motorway Improvements is report for the Strategic Environmental EXPANDING contract to construct the AWPR/B-T now well underway. Most of the works Assessment were published in was awarded, following the shortest have been remote from the existing September 2014. In October 2014, procurement period for an NPD carriageways, with online works to the preferred option for the 30km project of this size and complexity. increase from spring 2015. When section of the A96 between Inverness complete in spring 2017, it is estimated and Nairn (including Nairn Bypass) was The ground-breaking ceremony, that improvements to the M8 will take announced. These are the first steps THE attended by the First Minister, up to 18 minutes off a journey at daily in developing a robust plan to improve marked the start of construction peak times for vehicles using the connectivity between Inverness and works in February 2015. When busiest sections of the motorway. Aberdeen and demonstrates the complete AWPR/B-T will cut journey Scottish Government’s commitment times across Aberdeen by half. A9 Dualling Programme to investing in this strategically NETWORK In December 2014, we awarded important route. Forth Replacement Crossing Project the final design contract for the The Forth Replacement Crossing A9 Dualling Programme. The three Other Significant Milestones Transport Scotland is investing more than Project has now seen a total of contracts, each worth approximately The A75 at Dunragit and at £195m worth of savings since £40 million, are already supporting Hardgrove to Kinmount, together ever before to connect communities and construction began, with a new over 230 engineering design related with the A77 at Symington and expand our transport infrastructure across £1.35-£1.4 billion budget range jobs in Scotland, 46 of which are new. Bogend Toll, opened to traffic in announced in October 2014. Work on this improvement is the first 2014, improving access to and Scotland. 2014 has seen completion of works in the Scottish Government’s £3 billion from Scotland’s west coast ports. at A75 Dunragit, A77 Symington and Bogend All three towers on the new A9 Dualling Programme. In addition The schemes improved connectivity, Queensferry Crossing now stand at to this, the £50 million contract for making Scotland a more attractive Toll and A82 Crianlarich Bypass with works more than 105m – just over half their the construction of the first section option for business, leisure and tourism. final height of 210m. Approximately of dualling between Kincraig and also now underway on the AWPR/B-T 10% of the cable stayed bridge deck Dalraddy has been put to tender. The new A82 Crianlarich Bypass and A9 Dualling. is also in place. opened to traffic on 23 December In March 2015, the first of our 2014 and work is continuing on the The FRC Contact and Education Centre A9 Dualling newsletters was A82 at Pulpit Rock where construction is the focal point for engagement and issued, keeping residents is scheduled for completion in 2015. learning with communities, schools, and local businesses informed colleges, universities and other of the progress of the project. Construction of the A96 Inveramsay organisations. Since opening, over Bridge commenced in December 2014. 30,000 people have been informed When complete, the new £10 million about the project through open scheme will bring significant benefits days and the outreach and for road users and reflects the Scottish education programme. Government’s determination to deliver a raft of transport improvements, right across the north-east.

Queensferry Crossing construction A82 Pulpit Rock works M8 M73 M74 Motorway Improvements Project support piers stretching from the south side of the Forth 08 Transport Scotland - Annual Review 2015 Rail 09 ON TRACK Over 2014/15 rail improvements saw track laying on the Borders route, new franchises and significant electrification investment. In February 2015, Scottish Ministers committed to a £5 billion package of funding and investment in Scotland’s railways between 2014 and 2019, the largest investment since the Victorian era.

ScotRail Franchise Caledonian Sleeper Franchise The Edinburgh Glasgow Improvement In October 2014, Transport Scotland In May 2014, Transport Scotland Programme (EGIP) will deliver the announced the successful award announced the award of Caledonian electrification of Scotland’s busiest of the ScotRail Franchise contract Sleeper Franchise to Serco Caledonian rail route between Edinburgh and to Abellio ScotRail Ltd. Sleepers Limited (SCSL). Initial Glasgow by December 2016. Several improvements will see trains key milestones were reached during The new franchise commits to securing with new livery, refreshed interiors, 2014/15 with the completion of the £80 a good deal for passengers, staff, improved booking processes and million electrification of the Glasgow businesses and local communities. a new on-board service offering. – Cumbernauld lines; physical works Significant investment will see underway at the new Edinburgh improvements to railway stations, Borders Railway Gateway Train/Tram interchange from front line improvements to Track laying for the Borders Railway – station; and the completion of better passenger facilities, provision which will be the longest new domestic EGIP route clearance works with 49 of more, better and relevant information railway to be constructed in Britain structures including the new Larbert on the move, and the introduction of for over 100 years - was completed in road bridge and re-constructed innovative fares and a comprehensive February 2015. This year has seen the Carmuirs rail-canal aqueduct all smart ticketing scheme throughout launch of the Golden Ticket competition now ready for electrification. the network. for the first journeys on the new Borders Railway railway, the launch of “Borders Railway, Other Significant Milestones Customers will see a better journey Maximising the Impact: A Blueprint A £150,000 3 year funding package, experience, free Wi-Fi on all trains, for the Future” – a joint action plan for resulted in the first Community In May 2014, UNESCO (the United new, longer electric trains and high Local Authorities, Visit Scotland and Rail Partnership (CRP) in Scotland Nations Educational, Scientific and speed trains on some city routes, Scottish Enterprise to ensure that receiving Ministerial approval in April Cultural Organization) confirmed enhanced catering and also the economic and tourist benefits 2014. A total of six CRPs have now that the Forth Bridge’s nomination refurbished trains on the of the railway are fully realised - and been established with the long term for World Heritage status would be Great Scottish Scenic Railway. the unveiling of a special liveried support for the venture secured considered. Transport Scotland chairs train in March 2015. within the new ScotRail Franchise. the Nomination Steering Group and Emphasis remains on improved journey supports recognition for the Forth times including enhanced performance Network electrification and EGIP We continue to work with Strathclyde Bridge as the cultural heritage of reliability for various routes on the The Scottish Government’s Partnership for Transport (SPT) on Scotland. A decision is expected network, additional Sunday services rolling programme of rail network the Glasgow Subway Modernisation in July 2015. and a number of other improved electrification continued with the programme, for which the Scottish services throughout Scotland. start of new electric services. The Government is providing up to £35 million electrification of the £246 million of funding towards Carmuirs Aqueduct, completed Forth Rail Bridge UNESCO bid The operation of the new franchise Rutherglen and Coatbridge route, the estimated cost of £287.5 million. in March 2015 (photo courtesy of Network Rail) began on 1 April 2015. was finished in September 2014. (photo courtesy of Network Rail) 10 Transport Scotland - Annual Review 2015 Aviation, Maritime, Freight and Canals 11

MV Loch Seaforth Ports and Harbours Aviation The Western Isles have started to We are currently progressing a In 2014/15 Transport Scotland benefit from the new £41.8 million Harbours (Scotland) Bill through continued to support Scotland’s cutting-edge MV Loch Seaforth, which Parliament, which seeks to address airports in developing new routes CUTTING incorporates new enhanced technical a number of issues concerning to improve business connectivity reliability. The new ferry is capable current harbours legislation. It will and inbound tourism. We supported of operating 24 hours a day and has provide an improved legislative the Scottish Government’s Public a capacity for up to 700 passengers framework for Trust Ports and Service Obligation (PSO) routes and 143 cars or 20 commercial increase the efficiency and to Campbeltown, Barra and Tiree, EDGE vehicles. The vessel was delivered effectiveness of existing procedures working with HIAL to procure two to British shores and began operating and processes for stakeholders. new aircraft which were delivered on the Stornoway-Ullapool route in May 2015. This year has seen major investment in early 2015. Freight Grants in new ferries and aircraft, as well Over the year we awarded £750,000 We have continued to support Road Equivalent Tariff (RET) under the Mode Shift Revenue Support services through our sponsorship as the securing of further afield Transport Scotland leads on (MSRS) scheme. This scheme helps of Highlands and Islands Airports air routes, boosting business and implementing the Scottish companies with the extra operational Limited (HIAL) and funding of the Government’s Road Equivalent costs associated with moving freight Air Discount Scheme. tourism for Scotland. Tariff (RET) fares policy and funding by rail or inland waterways instead of the construction of new ferries and road. We also awarded the Waterborne Some key new routes supported new ferry infrastructure. In March 2015, Freight Grant of £960,000 to Boyd by Transport Scotland, in partnership we announced the RET ferry fares for Brothers Haulage to enable the with Scottish Enterprise and Visit passengers, cars, small commercial movement of sawn timber by Scotland, started in 2014 including vehicles and coaches for all remaining sea rather than by road from the United Airlines service between Clyde and Hebrides Ferry Services BSW Sawmill at Corpach to Tilbury Edinburgh and Chicago O’Hare; routes by October 2015. This fulfils the (London). This scheme provides American Airlines service from commitment made in the Ferries Plan, start-up funding for new shipping Edinburgh to Philadelphia (which published in December 2012, to roll out services, which transfer freight will switch to New York JFK in 2015); RET to all West Coast and Clyde islands from road to sea. and Qatar Airways Dreamliner service within the term of this Parliament. between Edinburgh and Doha. We were also pleased to assist Edinburgh Airport in securing its second middle-east route, which will begin in 2015 when Etihad Airways starts its daily service to Abu-Dhabi.

MV Loch Seaforth at Ullapool harbour Corpach Timber yard New aircraft secured for PSO routes (photo courtesy of Viking Air) 12 Transport Scotland - Annual Review 2015 Trunk Road and Bus Operations 13 IMPROVING THE JOURNEY This year Transport Scotland has invested almost £700m to ensure our trunk road network is safe, efficient and remains a key facilitator of economic growth. The deployment of average speed cameras on the A9 between Dunblane and Inverness has been accompanied by a massive 97% reduction in excess speeding and our Winter Resilience programme was successful in keeping Scotland moving and drivers safe, during periods of severe weather.

Maintenance contracts The contract for this new unit A9 Interim Safety Plan June 2014 saw the award of both within the Network will take effect The A9 Safety Group has delivered the South East and North East 4G from summer 2015. key elements of the Interim Safety Contracts to Amey and BEAR Scotland Plan for the route. These include respectively. Based on an estimate A9 Kessock Bridge new lining and signing, three education of the work likely to be carried out £13.3m of essential maintenance campaigns, covering safer overtaking under 4G, these tender prices could work was carried out on the A9 and speed limit awareness, and potentially deliver overall savings of Kessock Bridge ensuring its reliable an average speed camera system approximately £8.9 million (9%) for service for the next 30 years. The on sections of the route between the South East and £7.9 million (8%) 72 week contract to waterproof, Dunblane and Inverness. The for the North East contract in relation resurface and replace the safety deployment of cameras has been to equivalent 3G costs. barriers was undertaken by accompanied by a 97% reduction Balfour Beatty. in excess speeding. Both Contracts will run for six years (with the option to extend for a Bridge Replacement Programme A 50 mph pilot for HGVs on the further two) incorporating improved Work began near Glenfinnan on the single carriageway sections of the levels of service over previous term A830 ‘Road to the Isles’ in July 2014. A9 between Perth and Inverness maintenance Contracts as well as Completed in December, the work was was also introduced in October encouraging the Operating Companies part of the five year £10m programme 2014. This will reduce journey times to deliver these services in more to upgrade nine bridges on the route for these vehicles and is expected innovative ways. between Fort William and Mallaig. to reduce queuing and overtaking associated with them. Forth Bridges Operating Speed Limit Review Company Contract As identified in our speed limit review, In December 2014, we announced Transport Scotland is promoting five the appointment of a single operating pilot 20mph limits in Oban, Maybole, company – Amey LG Limited – Largs, Biggar and Langholm to to manage and maintain both support road safety. the Forth Road Bridge and, A9 average speed camera system, switched on October 2014 upon completion, the new Queensferry Crossing.

14 Transport Scotland - Annual Review 2015 Trunk Road and Bus Operations 15

Road Safety Scotland Concessionary Travel In early 2015, Transport Scotland Traffic Scotland Road Safety Scotland (RSS) continued Between 2012 and 2014, conducted research into the potential The Traffic Scotland service continues to invest in education and publicity Transport Scotland commissioned benefits of liquid brine winter salt to support the safe and efficient initiatives. The lifelong learning major customer feedback surveys treatments. operation of Scotland’s motorway approach to road safety education on the Concessionary Travel Scheme. and trunk road network. The focal retained its high profile, with Key achievements include the Salt loss, effectiveness and longevity point of the service is the National development work being undertaken continued availability of The National was compared between liquid brine Control Centre in South Queensferry. on Ziggy (early years) and Your Call Bus Travel Concession Scheme for and pre-wetted salt at sites in A1 From this location, we work with (lower secondary) with the design Older and Disabled Persons. The Dunbar and A9 Aviemore. Results Police, the Met Office and our of a bespoke website for the latter. statutory budget limit for the Scotland of the study are to be published Operating Companies to support The Junior Road Safety Officer (JRSO) Wide Free Bus Concessionary Travel in July 2015. smarter travel by allowing customers Scheme goes from strength to strength Scheme for Older and Disabled People, to make informed travel choices. and the popularity of resources built as negotiated with the Confederation The Transport Resilience team has to introduce road safety concepts of Passenger Transport, was set enhanced preparedness and response The usage of the desktop and mobile into physics classes ensured good at £192 million. to incidents from the new Resilience sit continues to grow apace; the joint links with the curriculum. Room within the purpose built Traffic Traveline Scotland/Traffic Scotland Smart Ticketing Scotland National Control Centre in smartphone application has over In 2014, RSS also ensured a road Transport Scotland’s Smart and South Queensferry. New contract 560,000 users and our twitter has safety presence at a number of Integrated Ticketing Team have specifications, greater use of over 85,000 followers. The latter Brine testing took place on the A1 in early 2015 national events, including the Scottish continued to progress a programme technology and getting information has proved particularly successful Motorcycle Show, Royal Highland Show, of activities in partnership with Local to people ‘on the move’ are just as a way of updating users in real Scottish Car Show and the Scottish Authorities, RTPs and bus, rail and ferry a few of the ways we continue to time. Road users have also benefitted Learning Festival. RSS ran an in-car operators. School transport schemes strengthen our resilience for winter from better in-journey information safety campaign during the summer are using the smart Young Scot card weather. The enhanced preparedness on variable message signs, with months, revising and re-launching in areas of Western Isles, East Lothian and partnership working, like our more key routes covered by our the parental leaflet ‘So Your Teenager and the Perth with plans in place to Multi Agency Response Team journey time service. is Learning to Drive’. introduce pilots in other areas. The (MART), is also improving our resilience Young Person’s Concessionary Travel for other intense activity, such as Social marketing activity included Scheme is now the Young Scot card extreme weather or major events. re-runs of the ‘Kids in the Car’, on buses and work continues to Drink-Driving and Country Roads roll-out smart technology in rail. The focus of our travel planning Campaigns. 2014 also saw the launch activity in 2014 was the delivery of a new public information campaign Other significant activity of travel information to support iconic around the new lower drink-drive In October 2014, the largest landslide events such as the Commonwealth limit which came into force on 5th to hit the A83 at the Rest and be Games and the Ryder Cup. Transport December. The year finished on a Thankful in recent years was quickly Scotland supported Traveline Scotland high with a Prince Michael of Kent cleared up, helped greatly by the to adapt its smartphone app to deliver International Road Safety Award investment in debris netting that information to both event attendees for the overall ‘Don’t Risk It’ strategy, stopped large boulders damaging and the everyday traveller. The app citing the ‘Kids in the Car’ campaign the road. delivered 755,000 journey plans Landslide on the A83, October 2014 as an exemplar of an innovative during the Games. approach to marketing. The end of the year saw the conclusion of the Scottish Safety Camera Programme consultation period, with agreement and endorsement secured with stakeholders across a range of proposals on the Programme’s New contract specifications, greater use of purpose, structure, governance, site selection and funding. technology and getting information to people ‘on the move’ are just a few of the ways we continue to strengthen our resilience. 16 Transport Scotland - Annual Review 2015 Transport Policy 17 VISION This year has seen record levels of investment in active travel, as well as the publication of our Active Travel Vision and growth of greener transport, focusing on our commitment to progress a low carbon economy, reduce emissions and tackle climate change.

Active Travel Vision This year 57 new electric vehicles Cycling Projects Launched in November 2014 by were purchased, meaning at the In 2014/15, the Scottish Government the Minister for Transport, the Vision end of the year around 25% of the invested record levels of funding in aims to encourage more people to Scottish Car Club fleet is fully electric, cycling projects, including £19 million walk and cycle for everyday shorter giving members the freedom to of capital in Community Links through journeys. It focuses on areas such choose a vehicle fuelled in a way funds managed by Sustrans. This as infrastructure, transport integration, best suited to each journey. investment has yielded an additional cultural and behavioural change, £25 million from other partners community ownership and planning. Commemorative Cycle Stands through matched funding. The Commonwealth Games Accessible Transport Commemorative Cycle Stands, Green Buses In March 2015, Transport Scotland and allocated to all medallists, were We have provided £2.9 million to key stakeholders hosted the Transport launched by the First Minister nine bus operators towards the costs Accessibility Summit, providing an on 2nd August 2014. This is part of purchasing another 150 low carbon opportunity to learn, directly from of a wider initiative to install 208 vehicles for the Scottish bus fleet. disabled people, how accessibility Legacy 2014 cycle stands across Since introduced in 2010, the Scottish issues affect them. This was a Scotland, providing an additional Green Bus Fund will have supported milestone in identifying improvements 2080 bike spaces at workplaces, the service of 276 buses, encouraging required to give disabled people schools, hospitals, libraries and the adoption of low carbon vehicles the same opportunities to travel on high streets. and contributing to the decarbonisation as everyone else. of road transport. Stirling Cycle Hub Car Clubs In 2014, the Minister for Transport The Developing Car Clubs in Scotland launched Scotland’s second largest (DCCS) programme in 2014/15 focused public bike hire scheme in Stirling. on supporting the expansion of the Part of the Cycle Hub, the scheme car club network and the continued provides information, organises introduction of electric car club rides and works in partnership vehicles across Scotland. with the community. City and town centres will be people focused with easy pedestrian and cycle access. Active Travel Vision 2030

Commemorative Cycle Stands I Bike project Transport Scotland Buchanan House, 58 Port Dundas Road, Glasgow, G4 0HF 0141 272 7100 [email protected]

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Where we have identified any third party copyright information you will need to obtain permission from the copyright holders concerned. Any enquiries regarding this document / publication should be sent to us at [email protected]. This document is also available on the Transport Scotland website: www.transportscotland.gov.uk Published by Transport Scotland, July 2015