| Action | Deliver improvements in port, road and rail infrastructure to support Grangemouth's role as Scotland's largest container port and main freight distribution centre. |
NPF2 Paragraph Reference | 105, 123, 142, 190, 200, Map 10, Annex - National Development 5. |
Contribution to NPF Strategy | - Supports strong, sustainable growth for the benefit of all parts of Scotland.
- Expands opportunities for communities and businesses by promoting environmental quality and good connectivity.
- Strengthens links with the rest of the world.
- Promotes more sustainable patterns of travel, transport and land use
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| Milestones (1) | 2009 onwards - Consider the need for further environmental assessment, and scheme level mitigation measures including design and siting to minimise effects on water and cultural heritage and coastal protection measures as required. Work with freight transport sector to minimise the effects of shipping activity and reduce emissions. Continuing air quality monitoring as required for the nearby Air Quality Management Area. Protect Natura 2000 sites by ensuring appropriate assessment of the proposal, including assessment of effects in combination with other plans and projects |
Lead Partner(s)/Delivery Bodies (1) | Falkirk Council
Sestrans, Forth Ports, SNH, SEPA, BP, Inneos, Grangemouth Freight Community, Transport Scotland. |
| Progress (1) | No National Development* projects in Grangemouth Docks area have yet come forward for Falkirk Council to consider. An application for a biomass energy plant in the docks is still being considered by Scottish Ministers. Air quality in the Grangemouth AQMA continues to be monitored by Falkirk Council. Work ongoing with SEPA and Ineos to reduce exceedences. |
| Milestones (2) | Post 2009 - Completion of Scottish Transport Appraisal Guidance (STAG) process of improvement options at Junction 6 of the M9 Motorway |
Lead Partner(s)/Delivery Bodies (2) | Falkirk Council
Sestrans, Forth Ports, SNH, SEPA, BP, Inneos, Grangemouth Freight Community, Transport Scotland. |
| Progress (2) | Work undertaken by Falkirk Council related to interim improvements at J6 is set out under progress on the action below.This milestone relates primarily to long term upgrade of J6 (providing south facing slip roads) as discussed in STPR Intervention 20. The issue of safeguarding land north of current J6 location for a possible long term solution is still under consideration. That option is flagged up in the Main Issues Report of Falkirk Local Development Plan, to be published for consultation shortly. |
| Milestones (3) | Post 2009 -Improvements to the local road network, including separation of local traffic from freight and industrial uses. |
Lead Partner(s)/Delivery Bodies (3) | Falkirk Council
Sestrans, Forth Ports, SNH, SEPA, BP, Inneos |
| Progress (3) | Falkirk Council has worked up feasibility designs for local improvements to Glensburgh Road (at M9 J6 off-slip) and Earls Gate roundabout (at M9 J6 on-slip). Opportunities to gain developer contributions from impacting development sites to fund the designed improvements continue to be pursued but are hampered by the recession. Alternative funding stream for works included in TIF bid. Other than signalising M9 J6 off-slip in the interim measures, consideration of improvements to Forth-Clyde Way to act as primary access to docks and industry awaits decisions on long term upgrades to J6 of M9 Transport Scotland is in discussion with Falkirk Council on potential improvements at Junctions 5 and 6, as part of the wider operation of the M9 to the east of Falkirk and specifically with regard to the Grangemouth Freight Hub. |
| Milestones (4) | Pre 2012 - Completion of studies on flood risk and environmental mitigation |
Lead Partner(s)/Delivery Bodies (4) | Falkirk Council
Forth Ports , SEPA, Scottish Government (Directorate for the Built Environment.) |
| Progress (4) | NPF Action Programme meeting held on May 13, 2011. Issues discussed included flood risk, which was discussed further on October 28, 2011. Summer 2010 - Falkirk Council commissioned consultants to carry out a detailed flood risk assessment for Grangemouth. Phase 1 report complete for Grangemouth, the report shows a smaller area at risk than the SEPA indicative flood risk maps. Phase 2 study now underway. A 10% contribution for capital works for flood alleviation measures included in TIF bid. |
| Milestones (5) | Post 2014 - Improvements to railhead access and electrification of the rail link through Falkirk Grahamston |
Lead Partner(s)/Delivery Bodies (5) | Transport Scotland
Falkirk Council, Sestrans, Forth Ports, Network Rail. |
| Progress (5) | Detailed design work for railhead improvement within the port completed. Electrification is part of the Edinburgh Glasgow Improvement Project. Preferred option is a turnout facility west of Falkirk Grahamston station. Discussions held between Falkirk Council and Network Rail on consent regimes for works associated with electrification and proposed reversing siding west of Falkirk Grahamston. Consents for bridge works for EGIP now being processed. |
| Milestones (6) | Post 2016 - Implementation of improved link to the M8 and the South via an improved A801. |
Lead Partner(s)/Delivery Bodies (6) | FalkirkCouncil, West Lothian Council
Sestrans, Transport Scotland |
| Progress (6) | Planning consents for Avon Gorge link road (A801/M8) have been secured and all land in Falkirk and West Lothian has been acquired. Capital funding for project is not in place but is being considered as part of the TIF proposal. |