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

Photo showing an Inverness town centre street with a number of shop fronts. The street has restricted vehicle access, with a selection of parked cycles on the left and benches on both sides.

 

Photo showing an enclosed public transport waiting area with seating provision.

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

Two photos showing Moray Council's m connect bus service. Both buses are parked at the roadside and have the blue and green livery colours of the service.

 

Two photos showing Moray Council's m connect bus service. Both buses are parked at the roadside and have the blue and green livery colours of the service.

 

Photo showing a passing Scotrail train at an empty rural railway station 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

Photo showing sweeping curves of the A96 road east of Huntly, near Thomastown, with a traffic queue behind a large agricultural vehicle before a section of carriageway widening. There is farmland on both sides of the road with tree covered hills in the distance.

 

Photo showing traffic congestion on a two way section of single carriageway of the A96 road in Elgin.

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

Photo showing a row of six electric vehicle charging point stands in Scotland. A car is plugged in and charging at one of the stands.