A96 Corridor Review Summary

2.1 Background

2.1.1

Since publication of the STPR in 2008, progress had been made on the transport priorities for the A96, including:

  • Completion of Aberdeen to Inverness Rail Improvements Phase 1, which comprises:
    • the re-doubling of the track between Aberdeen and Inverurie;
    • signalling enhancements between Nairn and Elgin;
    • platform extensions at Insch and Elgin;
    • the relocation of Forres station;
    • loop extension of the track at Forres;
    • infrastructure to facilitate the construction of new stations at Kintore and Dalcross.
  • New station at Kintore, opened in October 2020.
  • Construction commenced of a new station at Dalcross (due for completion in December 2022).
  • Strategic Park and Ride at Dyce, opened in January 2017.
  • A96 Dualling Inverness to Nairn (including Nairn Bypass) scheme: draft orders published in November 2016, PLI held in October/November 2018, Scottish Ministers gave the go-ahead for completing of the statutory procedures in February 2021.
  • A new bridge at Inveramsay, opened in March 2016.

2.1.2

In December 2011, The Agenda for Cities, “Scotland’s Cities: Delivering for Scotland”, was published by the Scottish Government. The purpose of this document was to set out the vital contribution that Scotland's major population centres can make in delivering the Government Economic Strategy. The Agenda identified connecting cities with strong, reliable and resilient transport infrastructure as a key characteristic to support growth. Published alongside this was the Scottish Government’s Infrastructure Investment Plan, providing an overview of plans for infrastructure investment over the coming decades.

2.1.3

The plan to upgrade the A96 between Inverness and Aberdeen to dual carriageway was reconfirmed in the Third National Planning Framework (NPF3) in 2014. More recently, the consultation draft NPF4 (laid to Parliament on 10 November 2021), references A96 improvements to safety.

2.1.4

In 2014, a Strategic Business Case (SBC) for the dualling was published. The SBC considered a range of options for improving transport links, recommending that full dualling of the A96 between Inverness and Aberdeen was the best performing option in terms of the transport planning objectives and the STAG criteria considered.

2.1.5

In 2015, a Design Manual for Roads and Bridges (DMRB) Stage 1 Assessment for the initial development and assessment of broadly defined improvement strategies for the upgrade of the A96 to a Category 7A all-purpose dual carriageway was published. A two-phased SEA was also carried out at this time, with reports published in 2014 and 2015, and the Post Adoption Statement published in 2016.

2.1.6

The development of the dualling proposals, the agreed principles regarding investment in the transport network and commitments relating to the A96 are provided in Section 1.1.

2.1.7

As outlined in Section 1.1, the Bute House Agreement noted that the current plan is to fully dual the A96 route between Inverness and Aberdeen, and that there would be a transparent, evidence-based review to include a climate compatibility assessment to assess direct and indirect impacts on the climate and the environment. As part of this review, this SEA is also being conducted.

2.1.8

Other commitments in the Bute House Agreement given in relation to the North-East of Scotland included developing a programme of enhanced public transport improvements. These comprise:

  • work to improve the resilience, reliability and efficiency of the Aberdeen to Inverness rail corridor, alongside Transport Scotland’s commitment to decarbonise the rail network, to make it more competitive to road and encourage modal shift for both passengers and freight;
  • working with Nestrans, Aberdeen City and Aberdeenshire councils on the feasibility of a mass rapid transit system for the region, and also a rail link between Dyce and Ellon, and further north to Peterhead and Fraserburgh;
  • reviewing the A96 corridor with a view to implementing appropriate bus priority measures.

2.1.9

Prior to the Bute House agreement in August 2021, the latest Infrastructure Investment Plan (IIP) “A National Mission with Local Impact – Infrastructure Investment Plan for Scotland 2021-22 to 2025-26” was published in February 2021 (Scottish Government, 2021g). One of the key themes of this plan is to deliver inclusive economic growth, and under the purpose of strengthening connectivity IIP states

We will deliver a safe and sustainable, integrated and resilient strategic transport system, including… continuing the design and development work to dual the A96. (p38)

2.1.10

Annex D of the latest IIP provides information on major projects and programmes, including phased improvements to the existing A96 from Inverness to Aberdeen (including the Nairn Bypass).

2.2 A96 Corridor Review Objectives

2.2.1

Transport Planning Objectives (TPOs) are of central importance to the STAG process. In line with STAG, TPOs should align with the outcomes sought by the study, be based on a comprehensive and evidenced understanding of problems and opportunities and lend themselves to inform a clear and transparent appraisal of transport options. The TPOs are a key element of the appraisal process from initial option identification and sifting, through to preliminary and detailed appraisal and subsequent monitoring/evaluation.

2.2.2

For the A96 Corridor Review, TPOs have been aligned to those set at the national level in STPR2, supported by corridor specific sub-objectives. An overarching set of TPOs have been established as part of STPR2, which are closely aligned with the four priorities, 12 outcomes and 24 policies contained within NTS2. To reflect the nature of the corridor, the overarching TPOs have been amended slightly from the national-level STPR2 objectives.

2.2.3

A series of sub-objectives have been developed to align with the overall direction of the TPOs (and hence the STPR2 national objectives), but with a particular focus on the specific evidence-based problems and opportunities for the corridor. The A96 Corridor Review TPOs and sub-objectives are as follows:

  • TPO1 – A sustainable strategic transport corridor that contributes to the Scottish Government’s net zero emissions target.
    • Reduce transport related emissions through a shift to more sustainable modes of transport.
    • Increase the active travel mode share for shorter everyday journeys.
  • TPO 2 – An inclusive strategic transport corridor that improves the accessibility of public transport in rural areas for access to healthcare, employment and education.
    • Increase public transport mode share by improving connections between sustainable modes of transport.
    • Reduce the reliance on private car for access to healthcare, employment and education.
    • Improve mobility and inclusion, recognising the specific needs of disadvantaged and vulnerable users.
  • TPO 3 – A coherent strategic transport corridor that enhances communities as places, supporting health, wellbeing and the environment.
    • Reduce demand for unsustainable travel by enhancing place-making within settlements along the A96.
    • Increase active travel mode share for both shorter and longer distance journeys.
    • Reduce real and perceived severance caused by the strategic transport network both between and within communities.
    • Protect or enhance the natural environment and heritage.
  • TPO 4 – An integrated strategic transport system that contributes towards sustainable inclusive growth throughout the corridor and beyond.
    • Increase sustainable access to labour markets and key centres for employment, education and training.
    • Increase the mode share of freight by sustainable modes.
    • Increase competitiveness of key sectors by improving journey time reliability for commercial transport.
  • TPO 5 – A reliable and resilient strategic transport system that is safe for users.
    • Reduce the accident rates and severity of transport related casualties in line with reduction targets.
    • Improve resilience to disruption (from climate change events and maintenance activities) through adaptation of the corridor's trunk road and rail infrastructure.

2.3 A96 Route Corridor Overview

2.3.1

The Inverness to Aberdeen transport corridor passes through the council areas of Highland, Moray, Aberdeenshire and Aberdeen City. The corridor includes a number of settlements including Inverness, Nairn, Forres, Elgin, Fochabers, Keith, Huntly, Inverurie, Kintore, and Aberdeen. These settlements are linked by the A96 trunk road, which provides strategic road connectivity between urban and rural areas. The surrounding environment is predominantly rural, with extensive areas of agricultural land, a number of sensitive designated natural heritage areas and a significant number of cultural heritage features, including battlefields, scheduled monuments and listed buildings. The corridor is subject to flood risk from surface water and coastal flooding.

2.4 STAG Appraisal

2.4.1

The appraisal process for the A96 Corridor Review will be carried out in accordance with STAG. The STAG appraisal shall consider all relevant transport modes within the A96 corridor, including active travel, public transport, rail and roads-based transport.

  • The STAG stages to be completed for the review are:
    • Initial Appraisal: Case for Change – comprising analysis of problems and opportunities, and the development of Transport Planning Objectives.
    • Preliminary Options Appraisal - comprising TPOs, STAG criteria, Established Policy Objectives, Feasibility, Affordability and Public Acceptability, and Rationale for Selection or Rejection.
    • Detailed Options Appraisal - comprising TPOs, STAG Criteria, Cost to Government and Risk and Uncertainty.

The SEA team has been completing the environment sections of the Appraisal Summary Tables, which summarise the potential environmental impacts of each STAG option.

2.4.2

The SEA process has been integrated with the A96 Corridor Review to support assessment and selection of the preferred transport options, as described above in relation to the STAG Appraisal Summary Tables.