Conclusions and Next Steps

Conclusions

This report sets out the approach undertaken in the assessment of socio-economic impacts and demonstrates Transport Scotland’s due regard to the Fairer Scotland Duty throughout the A96 Corridor Review process. The feedback received in relation to the SEqIA Scoping Report consultation has also been reviewed and used to inform this FSDA Report.

This FSDA has outlined the key evidence and issues relating to socio-economically disadvantaged groups. It has identified both positive and negative impacts relating to Full Dualling and the transport intervention packages assessed as part of the A96 Corridor Review. Overall, there is likely to be a minor positive impact on socio-economically disadvantaged groups with Full Dualling and the transport intervention packages contributing to reducing inequalities of outcome for socio-economically disadvantaged groups by increasing accessibility to a range of transport options and enabling improved access to key employment, education and other destinations along the corridor.

The FSDA process started at early stages of transport intervention development to ensure intervention options maximise positive socio-economic outcomes and, where possible, included appropriate engagement with organisations representing socio-economically disadvantaged groups to understand specific requirements.

There are a number of factors outside the scope of the A96 Corridor Review that will have an impact on reducing inequalities of outcome for socio-economically disadvantaged groups. For example;

• Enhancing the benefits of Community Transport for socio-economically disadvantaged groups may require overcoming the technology barriers that some groups may face.
• Social value or community benefits plans as part of any transport package taken forward can help to target more deprived communities to promote job opportunities along the A96 corridor where unemployment may be concentrated.
• Public transport fares and costs associated with bike ownership or hire could be a challenge to reducing inequalities experienced by socio-economically disadvantaged groups.

Furthermore, it is important to recognise localised circumstances within each settlement or rural community impacted by Full Dualling or the transport intervention options. The combination of interventions, location of interventions, proximity to local services and accessibility for deprived and disadvantaged groups all require consideration. Therefore, while this impact assessment can provide a high-level overview of impacts, further assessment is required for Full Dualling or any of the transport intervention options to be taken forward. This should include engagement and consultation with those directly experiencing socio-economic disadvantage.

A detailed FSDA should be undertaken of any selected packages taken forward for detailed design. This should include further consultation with socio-economically disadvantaged groups and actions to enhance positive impacts and reduce negative impacts.

Next Steps

The feedback received in relation to the FSDA Report consultation will be reviewed and used to inform the finalised version of the FSDA Report.

The key FSDA milestones are as follows:

• Consultation on the public consultation version of the FSDA Report; and
• Finalisation of the FSDA Report following consultation.