How has the A96 Corridor Review been developed?

The A96 Corridor Review followed the Scottish Transport Appraisal Guidance (STAG), which is an objective-led, evidence-based transport appraisal process. An appraisal using STAG is required whenever Scottish Government funding, support or approval is needed to change the transport system. This process also ensures alignment with Transport Scotland’s second Strategic Transport Projects Review (STPR2) and industry best practice.

The four key stages of the STAG process are illustrated below. The approach includes identification of problems and opportunities, development of transport planning objectives based on these, option generation and sifting and appraisal of options against a series of criteria.

STAG process

Flow chart showing the four key stages of STAG appraisal, which are Case for Change, Preliminary Appraisal, Detailed Appraisal and Post Appraisal Monitoring and Evaluation

A96 consultation and engagement

A public consultation exercise and engagement with stakeholder groups across the corridor have been key to informing the Review.

The first stage of the STAG process ( Case for Change (2022)) included identification of problems and opportunities linked to all modes of transport or the A96 corridor, drawing upon relevant data analysis, policy review and stakeholder engagement including workshops and online public consultation.

At this stage a set of Transport Planning Objectives (TPOs) were developed, in alignment with Scotland’s second National Transport Strategy (NTS2) and STPR2, but with a particular focus on the specific evidence-based problems and opportunities for the corridor. TPOs are of central importance to the STAG process, providing a clear and transparent appraisal of transport options, from initial option identification and sifting, through to the next stages of preliminary and detailed appraisal and subsequent monitoring/evaluation.

Infographic showing the key statistics from the public consultation. This includes holding 8 stakeholder briefing sessions, engagement with 25 stakeholder groups, receipt of 4,687 public consultation responses and consideration of over 11,000 suggestions for options.
Photo showing a two way, single carriageway section of the A96, in a rural setting with rolling hills.

A96 Corridor Review Transport Planning Objectives (TPOs) and sub-objectives

Infographic showing Transport Planning Objective number 1, which is a sustainable strategic transport corridor that contributes to the Scottish Government’s net zero emissions target. This includes sub objectives to reduce transport related emissions through a shift to more sustainable modes of transport and increase the active travel mode share for shorter everyday journeys.

 

Infographic showing Transport Planning Objective number 2, which is an inclusive strategic transport corridor that improves the accessibility of public transport in rural areas for access to healthcare, employment and education. This includes sub objectives to increase public transport mode share by improving connections between sustainable modes of transport; to reduce the reliance on private car for access to healthcare, employment and education; and to improve mobility and inclusion, recognising the specific needs of disadvantaged and vulnerable users.

 

Infographic showing Transport Planning Objective number 3, which is a coherent strategic transport corridor that enhances communities as places, supporting health, wellbeing and the environment. This includes sub objectives to reduce demand for unsustainable travel by enhancing place-making within settlements along the A96; to increase active travel mode share for both shorter and longer distance journeys; to reduce real and perceived severance caused by the strategic transport network both between and within communities; and to protect or enhance the natural environment and heritage.

 

Infographic showing Transport Planning Objective number 4, which is an integrated strategic transport system that contributes towards sustainable inclusive growth throughout the corridor and beyond. This includes sub objectives to increase sustainable access to labour markets and key centres for employment, education and training; increase the mode share of freight by sustainable modes; and increase competitiveness of key sectors by improving journey time reliability for commercial transport.

 

Infographic showing Transport Planning Objective number 5, which is a reliable and resilient strategic transport system that is safe for users. This includes sub objectives to reduce the accident rates and severity of transport.

Development and assessment of options

Although over 11,000 ideas were generated and considered, these included duplicates, options that were out of scope, options considered in other projects such as STPR2, options that did not address the identified problems and opportunities and options which were considered undeliverable. This ‘cleaning’ and ‘sifting’ process resulted in 16 options across all modes progressing to Preliminary Appraisal. Preliminary appraisal of options was undertaken against the A96 Corridor Review TPOs, the STAG criteria (Environment, Climate Change, Health, Safety & Wellbeing, Economy, Equality & Accessibility), and established policy objectives as well as other deliverability criteria such as feasibility, affordability and public acceptability. As part of the appraisal, options were aligned with NTS2 to ensure consistency with current national transport strategy, in particular the sustainable travel hierarchy and sustainable investment hierarchy.

Figure showing the Sustainable Travel Hierarchy as presented in the second National Transport Strategy. At the top is walking and wheeling, then cycling, followed by public transport, then taxis and shared transport, and finally private car

 

Figure showing the Sustainable Investment Hierarchy as presented in the second National Transport Strategy. At the top is reduces the need to travel unsustainably, then maintaining and safely operating existing assets, then make better use of existing capacity and finally targeted infrastructure improvements.

Following consideration at Preliminary Appraisal, 13 options were taken forward to Detailed Appraisal. In recognition that several of the retained options were complementary, and therefore may give greater net benefit if delivered as a package rather than standalone options, multimodal ‘packages’ were developed and appraised against the TPOs, STAG criteria, deliverability criteria and Statutory Impact Assessment criteria. As Full Dualling of the A96 is the current plan, it has also been considered as part of the Detailed Appraisal to assess its performance against current criteria.

Parallel to the STAG appraisal, a statutory Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) has been undertaken to ensure the potential significant effects of the options and packages on the environment are considered.

Statutory Impact Assessments (SIAs) covering aspects such as equality and children’s wellbeing have also been undertaken.

A Climate Compatibility Assessment (CCA) has also been prepared, which seeks to establish the alignment or otherwise of the packages and Full Dualling with the identified climate change criteria, in addition to the assessments undertaken as part of the STAG appraisal.

The packaging approach identified the benefits or otherwise for a series of locations throughout the A96 corridor. However, it was acknowledged that there would be added value in separating out the benefits of individual options within each package to determine which provide the greatest contribution for both local communities and the wider corridor. An assessment of the benefits and contribution of the individual options has been undertaken, with the better performing ones combined to form an additional package, referred to as the ‘Refined Package’. Further details of the options that performed less well and the rationale for them not being included in the Refined Package can be found in the Strategic Business Case – Transport Appraisal Report (Draft). The Refined Package seeks to maximise the level of potential benefits in terms of contribution to the TPOs, STAG criteria and impact assessments, whilst optimising investment within the corridor and delivering the best value for money. A description of the options forming the Refined Package can be found on Page 18.

This Refined Package outperformed the majority of other packages whilst optimising investment within the corridor. It also outperformed the Full Dualling option, particularly in terms of impacts on the environment and climate change.