Chapter 9
9. Strategic Transport Projects Review ( STPR)
9.1 The Strategic Transport Projects Review ( STPR) is an evidence based, robust analysis of Scotland's national transport system which considers predicted changes in land-use, population, economic performance and emissions to address objectives of improving journey times and reliability, journey quality and reducing carbon emissions.
9.2 The conclusions of the Strategic Transport Projects Review were announced in Parliament on the 10th December 2008 setting out investment priorities over the next 20 years subject to the transport allocation within future Spending Reviews and affordability.
9.3 29 schemes are recommended within a hierarchy of maintaining and safely operating our transport network, optimising the use of those networks and where there are identified gaps, to consider targeted infrastructure improvements.
9.4 As part of optimising the use of existing networks, STPR Intervention 8 recommends a Park and Ride / Park and Choose Framework with possible and indicative sites serving Inverness, Aberdeen, Dundee, Edinburgh and Glasgow, as follows:
- Serving Aberdeen: Dyce (A96) and Charleston;
- Serving Dundee: Invergowrie, Forfar Road, A92 and Forgan;
- Serving Edinburgh: Halbeath, Lothianburn , Pitreavie, and Tranent;
- Serving Glasgow: Bargeddie (M8), St James (M8), Glasgow Southern Orbital (M77), Fullarton (M74), Robroyston (M80) and outside Ayr (M77);
- At Bannockburn, serving Edinburgh, Glasgow and Stirling; and
- A new station at Dalcross with Park-&-Ride facilities and interchange facilities with Inverness Airport.
It recognises that such a Framework supports objectives to make public transport more competitive against the car. Located on major commuting routes, these sites would also assist in maintaining and enhancing the labour catchment areas in the city regions and reducing emissions. The sites would be served by either rail services or express bus links to and from the city centres and areas of economic activity, including appropriate bus priority measures at congested locations. At this stage the sites indentified are purely indicative.
9.5 STPR Intervention 9 recommends Intelligent Transport Systems on motorway and trunk road networks in Central Scotland to improve journey time reliability and journey times for prioritised users. This system would be able to support the operation of the strategic Park and Ride / Park and Choose intervention by providing opportunities to use the hard shoulder on approach to the urban networks for priority vehicles.
9.6 STPR Intervention 10 recommends the development of a national, integrated ticketing system. This system would support the development of the Strategic Park and Ride / Park and Choose intervention by promoting seamless travel, improving the competitiveness of public transport and improving the overall perception of public transport
9.7 Delivery of recommendations of the STPR will be subject to further development work and to future spending reviews and affordability. Transport Scotland is already engaging with Authorities seeking to develop Park and Ride.
9.8 Further information on the STPR recommendations is accessible via www.transportsccotland.gov.uk/stpr.