North East Transport Consultative Forum

22 April 2009

Regional Transport Strategy

Approved by ministers in July 2008

Our vision for transport underpins our objectives and actions:

“A transport system for the north east of Scotland which enables a more economically competitive,

sustainable, and socially inclusive society.”

RTS Action Plans and Studies

Action Plan / Study Progress to date

Health and Transport Action Plan Complete and being implemented by Joint Public Sector Group

Bus Action Plan Final Draft available on Nestrans website

Freight Action Plan Final Draft available on Nestrans website

Travel Planning Strategy Draft available on Nestrans website

Rail Action Plan Currently being developed

Access from the South Complete and being taken forward

Access from the North Underway

AWPR Locking in the Benefits Complete and being taken forward

Haudagain Study Complete and sent to Transport Minister

High Occupancy Vehicle Lanes Study ongoing due to complete this summer

Developing a Delivery Plan

Lots of priorities and actions emerging from the action plans and studies

However there are a number of constraints to delivery:

– Only so much money available

– Other partners have their own priorities and projects

Nestrans is developing a Delivery Plan to prioritise our spending and align with partner priorities.

Jenny will discuss later how this is being done and the input we are asking for from you.

Other issues affecting Nestrans work

Aberdeen City and Shire Structure Plan

– Planning for significant growth in the region

– Significant implications for transport provision

Local Development Plans

Single Outcome Agreements

– Now the responsibility of Community Planning Partnerships of which Nestrans is a partner

– 15 National Outcomes

None directly related to transport

BUT transport influences 13 of them

Strategic Transport Projects Review

20 Year Plan beginning around 2012

Projects categorised as follows:

– Maintaining and safely operating existing assets

– Making better use of existing capacity

– Targeted infrastructure improvements

Prior government commitments for the North East:

– AWPR

– Balmedie to Tipperty

– Haudagain

– Aberdeen to Inverness rail improvements

North East projects included within the STPR

A96 & A90(S) Park and Ride

Kintore station assessment

A96 improvements including Inveramsay Bridge

A90 improvements Ellon North

Road safety improvements and rail improvements

– including express rail services to Edinburgh & Glasgow

Eventual (probably beyond the plan) electrification of the rail line south and double tracking at Montrose

BUT Scottish Government national priorities are:

– Forth Crossing

– Edinburgh to Glasgow rail line

– Inverness to Central Belt rail line

– Aberdeen to Inverness rail line

Key Achievements: Bus

New bus stations at Peterhead and Aberdeen

Increase in bus passenger numbers on Quality Bus Corridors

Introduction of Service 80 Dyce Airlink

STPR

– National Integrated Ticketing Strategy

Key achievements: Rail

Enhanced rail timetable for the north east cutting journey times and overcrowding to Edinburgh

Laurencekirk Station under construction, due to open May 2009

New rail freight facilities at Craiginches and Raiths completed

Rail Gauge Enhancement - Elgin to Mossend completed

Key achievements: Rail cont…

Timetable improvements Inverurie / Aberdeen (December 2008)

STPR

– Service enhancements Aberdeen-Inverness

– Service enhancements Aberdeen-Central belt

– Eventual electrification

– Kintore Station identified as a national scheme

– All contributing to objectives of Crossrail

Key achievements: Park and Ride and Parking

Sites identified at A96 Bucksburn and A90(S) (Portlethen) – design work underway

City centre parking signage enhancement and variable message signage

STPR

– Sites on A90 and A96 identified as national schemes

Key achievements: Road

Aberdeen Western Peripheral Route PLI completed

– Two councils supporting purchase of land & relocations

Balmedie to Tipperty Public Local Inquiry in August 2009

Commitment from Minister to fix and pay for Haudagain before reverting to Council

Haudagain Study delivered to Minister

Renewed commitments from Minister for these projects at STPR announcement and meeting with Nestrans Board

Key achievements: Road cont…

Market Street, College Street and Berryden demolitions

South College Street - summer 2009 subject to funding

– in advance of Union Street pedestrianisation proposals

STPR

– A90 Ellon to NE communities improvements

– A96 safety and environmental improvements

– A96 Inveramsay Bridge

– General safety improvements (local push for Laurencekirk junction)

Key Achievements: Ports

Improvements at Aberdeen Harbour

– Additional rail sidings at Waterloo

– Deepening of harbour entrance

Improvements at Peterhead Harbour

– Recognition as a deep water opportunity in NPF2

– Extensions to the quayside are underway

Coming Year

Laurencekirk Station re-opening May 2009 Improved access to airport (particularly public transport and taxis) Strategic road safety improvements Structural repairs to Bervie Bridge Firm engineering proposals for Kintore Station Aberdeen Rail Station upgrading Core paths and cycle routes Improvements at Peterhead Harbour Airport resurfacing and extension phase 1 Continued support of the service 80 Dyce Airlink service Interchange improvements

Within Next 6-7 Years AWPR Balmedie to Tipperty Haudagain Improved access to Airport Park and Ride at A96 Park and Ride at A90 (S) Park and Ride at A93 Banchory Pedestrianisation of Union Street Improved bus reliability Improved train service (Aberdeen to Inverness improvements) Kintore Station Airport upgrades and runway extension Improved train times Aberdeen to Glasgow/Edinburgh Better/safer cycling/walking

Other issues Aberdeen Airport

– Competition Commission

– Economic Regulation

London rail services

– Office of Rail Regulator review of capacity down south

Bus guidance from the Scottish Government

– Quality Partnerships

– Bus Punctuality Improvement Partnerships

European projects

– Motorways of the Sea

– Low emissions zone

Travel Planning and active travel

– Don to be discussing this later

Monitoring progress

The Nestrans Board have agreed indicators and targets

The first monitoring report is to be discussed at the next Board meeting

Monitoring report will be published within the Nestrans Annual Report

A likely topic of the next NETCF meeting

Delivery Plan

Jennifer AndersonTransport Executive (Programmes)

Regional Transport Strategy – Approved July 08:

Defines the vision, issues, objectives and strategy proposals

Delivery Plan:

Prioritised and costed actions to efficiently and effectively achieve the Regional Strategy

Step 1 – Gather Actions

Sources:

Regional Transport Strategy Reference Case Projects Key Projects Additional to Reference Case

(from March 07 RTS)

Studies Access to Aberdeen from the South AWPR – Locking in the Benefits A90/A96 Haudagain Junction Improvements Park & Ride Studies Access from the North (ongoing)

Sources:

Action Plans

Health & Transport

Freight

Bus

Rail

Other Sources

Strategic Transport Project Review

Building on Energy (Economic Action Plan)

Aberdeen City and Shire Structure Plan

Travel Planning Strategy

Step 2 – Sift / Sort Actions

Step 2 - Sift / Sort Actions

1. Remove Duplicates

2. Sort into Groups:

a) Completed Projects

b) Projects by Partners

c) Projects with Nestrans Involvement

d) Liaison / Guidance

3. Designate Hierarchy:

a) National

b) Regional

c) Local

Step 3 – Prioritise Actions

Economy

To enhance and exploit the north east’s competitive economic advantages, and reduce the impacts of peripherality.

To make the movement of goods and people within the north east and to/from the area more efficient and reliable.

To improve the range and quality of transport to/from the north east to key business destinations.

To improve connectivity within the north east, particularly between residential and employment areas.

EnvironmentTo conserve and enhance the north east’s natural and built environment and heritage and reduce the effects of transport on climate and air quality.

To reduce the proportion of journeys made by cars and especially by single occupant cars.

To reduce the environmental impacts or transport, in line with national targets.

To reduce growth in vehicle kilometres travelled.

Spatial planningTo support transport integration and a strong, vibrant and dynamic city centre and town centres across the north east.

To improve connectivity to and within Aberdeen City and Aberdeenshire towns, especially by public transport, walking and cycling.

To encourage integration of transport and spatial planning and improve connections between transport modes and services.

To enhance public transport opportunities and reduce barriers to use across the north east, especially rural areas.

Accessibility, safety and social inclusionTo enhance choice, accessibility and safety of transport, particularly for disadvantaged and vulnerable members of society and those living in areas where transport options are limited.

To enhance travel opportunities and achieve sustained cost and quality advantages for public transport relative to the car.

To reduce the number and severity of traffic related accidents and improve personal safety and security for all users of transport.

To achieve increased use of active travel and improve air quality as part of wider strategies to improve the health of north east residents.

Step 4 – Identify Costs

Costs:

Regional Transport Strategy (March 2007 Interventions)

Action Plans

Other Studies

Time Period for Delivery Plan:

Short Term:

2010 - 2011, 2011 - 2012 and 2012 - 2013

Medium Term:

2013 - 2017

Long Term:

2017 - 2021

Step 5 – Consider Available Funding

Funding Sources

1. Partner Commitments

a) Scottish Government – STPR

b) Council Programmes

c) Private Organisations – Harbour, Rail, Air

2. Nestrans Budget – annual allocations from Gov and Councils (Current year Revenue = £1.2M, Capital = £3.4M)

3. Other Funding Sources

a) European Bids

b) Scottish Government Grants

Step 6 – Consider Timescale Constraints

Timescale Considerations:1. Pre / post AWPR

2. Necessary Processes:

a) Feasibility studies

b) Design Processes

c) Planning Applications

d) Land Acquisition

Other Considerations

What are Your Views for Prioritisation of Actions?

Are there Priorities amongst the RTS Objectives (Economy; Accessibility, Safety and Social Inclusion; Environment and Spatial Planning)

Equal spread or priorities amongst various strands of the Regional Transport Strategy (External / Internal Connection by Mode, Travel Behaviour and Incentives and Enforcement)

Larger Scale Schemes with greatest potential impact

Quick win smaller scale schemes, but with lesser impact

Concentrate on Structure Plan development corridors

Achieve a spread across the North East

Next Steps

Continue to develop the Delivery Plan with assistance from Local Authority Officers

Incorporate Feedback from NETCF workshops

Progress reports and Approval from Nestrans Board

Consideration by Councils

Donald Kent

Why do we need to

• Smarter Choices is patchy in Scotland• Travel plans are monitored sporadically and

inconsistently• There is no consistent standard for travel plans in the

North East• Infrastructure cannot solve problems without cultural

change• There is a strong car/infrastructure culture in the North

East• Consistent resources have not been allocated to travel

plans

Why do we need to

• Obesity and weight related problems are increasing

• Social exclusion affects about 25% of the North East’s population

• 80% Co2 cuts are impossible without a large contribution from transport

• The AWPR will give a one off opportunity to re order the transport priorities of the city and promote a city which people want to visit rather than have to

Step 1 building the partnership

• No lead organisation• Consensus before

decision• Individual activities

under 1 brand• Flexible and

responsive

Step 2 the 10 year travel plan strategy

• Cultural change takes time• Ambitious short term targets are doomed

to fail with demoralisation of staff and marginalising Smarter Choices

• 10 year strategy gives a clear path towards effective travel plans, monitoring and cultural change activities

• The plan is reviewed every year and targets reset.

Step 3 Travel Plan Tools

• Standard, easily understood travel plan builder

• Consistent across both authorities

• Linked to monitor for the first time in British isles

• Will produce monitoring reports easily and in many configurations

Step 4 the website

• Interactive• Members section – The Getabout club• Competitions and promotions• Kept up to date and relevant• Getabout by rail – section on local rail services• Getabout by car share – re branded lift share site• Bebo/Facebook sites to compliment, and facility for the

public to upload photos and video clips• The attractive public facing information site

Step 5 The campaign

• Programme for a year in advance

• All major “Days” Walk to school, Bike2Work, European Mobility week, lift share day etc

• Starts with “spring into action” 9 days of 40 events big and small

• Starts on Friday 24th April

Raising the standard

• Raise the Standard – the launch event

• Flag leaves Old Meldrum Academy

• On Bike to Inverurie Station• Train To Dyce• Car share to Bridge of Don• Bus to Castlegate Square• 30 Children of Hanover St

School walk to Town House• Present the standard to Chair

of Nestrans • Bling their boots

Raising the standard of Transport

Get Cycling Road Show

6 days of fun• Belmont Street Aberdeen• Inverurie Academy• ARI• Kirkhill Industrial estate• University of Aberdeen• Hazelhead Academy

Look a like's on the Buses

• The Queen

• Sean Connery

• Lewis Hamilton

• Billy Connelly

• Marilyn Monroe

• Jack Sparrow

Professional photo shoot, Bikes, Cabriolet, Bus Station, North link Ferry, Station

Then an afternoon on the buses in City and Shire!

Prizes and fun when a celebrity gets on your bus !

University Sustainable day

• Week of Events• Thursday Transport Day

• Eco Driving simulator

• Pedi cabs

• Get Cycling road show

• Bus operators

• Energy savings trust

Eco Driving and Carbon Gym

• 3 All day events

• Aboyne Academy • Portlethen ASDA• Trinity Mall

With the Carbon Gym

and a staff of 5

Next steps

• Breakfasts to market Travel Plan builder to Businesses• Events every month, Bike2Work day, Lift share day,

European mobility week etc• The Getabout kit allows partners to pick up equipment

and run events everywhere• Interactive and information packed website• Rail and car share sites re branded Getabout and

incorporated in website• Evaluate progress and plan for 2010/11

Your questions- tonight

• Getabout is all about cultural change everybody is influenced by the current cultural norm in particular decision makers and the poor – so

1. How do we get people to see their car as a form of transport and not the form of transport

2. Senior Managers and politicians are critical to the process how do we get them on board when they are subject to the same cultural drives and everybody else and usually have reserved parking etc how do we influence their decision making?

3. The poor have more need of active travel (to get them to jobs, training and health care) yet are the least likely to cycle and have limited Public Transport horizons – how do we influence them?