Summary of Refined Package Interventions
Active Communities
Delivery of networks of high-quality active travel routes and placemaking improvements within key communities along the A96 corridor such as Nairn, Forres, Elgin, Lhanbryde, Mosstodloch, Fochabers, Keith, Huntly, Inverurie, Kintore and Blackburn. These active travel interventions would:
Drive modal shift and reduce the need to travel unsustainably
Help reduce the number of short-distance car journeys
Improve air quality in town centres, contributing to Scotland’s net zero emissions target
Contribute to place-making and 20-minute neighbourhoods
Deliver improvements to physical and mental wellbeing of those who adopt active travel modes
Potentially deliver economic benefits through increased cycling and walking tourism


Improved Public Transport Passenger Interchange Facilities
Improvements to public transport passenger facilities, including accessibility and quality enhancements at bus stations and railway stations. Improvements are likely to include smaller scale interventions such as placemaking enhancements, improved wayfinding, enhancements to the waiting environment and / or improved accessibility, including lifts and step-free access, however, they may also include the construction of new interchange facilities. These interventions would:
Deliver accessibility and inclusivity enhancements to the public transport network
Contribute towards Scottish net zero emissions targets by encouraging the use of public transport
Encourage modal shift away from car
Improve actual and perceived user safety and security
Promote interchange between sustainable travel modes
Investment in Demand Responsive Transport (DRT) and Mobility as a Service (MaaS)
Improved access to flexible travel opportunities in locations with low bus network connectivity or where conventional fixed route services may not be suitable or viable. Includes digital transport service improvements. New DRT and MaaS would:
Improve travel accessibility and inclusivity by delivering more flexible transport options for those without access to a car or with limited transport options
Result in faster journeys and increased affordability for users due to improved integration of modes
Encourage modal shift away from car
Pilot a corridor-wide DRT and MaaS scheme, combining flexible services with a digital transport platform



Linespeed, Passenger and Freight Capacity Improvements on the Aberdeen to Inverness Rail Line
Three distinct improvements to the railway between Aberdeen and Inverness - linespeed improvements to reduce end-to-end journey times to two hours (currently approximately two hours and 25 minutes), the provision of passing loops to enable a more frequent passenger service and the provision of freight facilities to enable intermodal freight growth. These rail interventions would:
Deliver faster and more frequent journeys
Improve access to key settlements containing a rail station
Enhance reliability and network resilience
Improve connectivity between communities along the corridor
Contribute towards Scotland’s net zero emissions targets by encouraging the use of public transport
Encourage modal shift away from car
Enhance freight capacity by introducing intermodal facilities
Targeted Road Safety Improvements
Improvements to the A96 Trunk Road to address both real and perceived road safety concerns. This could be achieved through the provision of improved overtaking opportunities, junction improvements and improvements to the alignment of the carriageway at targeted locations along the route. These safety interventions would:
Increase road safety through reduction of accidents and their severity
Improve resilience and reliability through reduction of disruption during incidents
Deliver economic benefits due to improved reliability and less road closures


Elgin and Keith Bypasses
Provision of a bypass around the towns of Elgin and Keith. These bypasses would:
Improve safety, resilience and reliability of the A96
Improve air quality in the town centres
Support access to tourism and employment opportunities
Improve connectivity between towns
Deliver economic benefits for all car users through shorter journeys, reduced congestion and fewer delays
Potentially increase attractiveness of active travel and enhance placemaking by reducing through-traffic in town centres, thus facilitating the Active Communities intervention
Address real and perceived severance within these communities by removing through trips
A96 Electric Corridor
Improve the provision of alternative refuelling infrastructure and facilities along the A96 corridor and its interfacing local roads. The Electric Corridor would:
Support the decarbonisation of the transport sector
Improve resilience and standard of charging infrastructure along the route
Increase confidence and uptake of using zero- emission vehicles
Contribute towards Scotland’s net zero emissions targets
Improve air quality across the corridor
