Baseline Summary
Introduction
The key information which supports the assessment presented in this report has been developed throughout the corridor review process with a full evidence base prepared as part of the SEqIA Scoping Report (Transport Scotland (2022) A96 Corridor Review Social and Equality Impact Assessment Scoping Report (unpublished)).
The baseline includes evidence on those living, working, visiting and travelling through the area, drawing on a range of relevant data from the National Records for Scotland, 2021 Scottish Census (as the most recent available Census dataset at the time of writing), the Scottish Index of Multiple Deprivation (SIMD) 2020 ( Scottish Government (2020) Scottish Index of Multiple Deprivation 2020 ) and additional sources including the Scottish Household Survey and other transport statistics from Transport Scotland research such as the Key Reported Road Casualties Scotland 2019 . Where available, local area datasets have also been interrogated. It also draws on research relating to groups covered by the EqIA (for example women, disabled people and LGBT people) to identify the key issues within a transport context.
The EqIA Study Area
For analysis purposes, an EqIA ‘study area’ has been created shown in Appendix A, comprising wards that intersect with the A96 corridor. Wards included in EqIA study area: Inverness Milburn Ward; Culloden and Ardersier Ward; Nairn and Cawdor Ward; Forres Ward; Heldon and Laich Ward; Elgin City North Ward; Elgin City South Ward; Fochabers Lhanbryde Ward ;Keith and Cullen Ward, Huntly, Strathbogie and Howe of Alford Ward; West Garioch Ward; Inverurie and District Ward; East Garioch Ward; Dyce/Bucks burn/Danestone Ward; Nothfield/Mastrick North Ward; Hilton/Woodside/Stockethill Ward Midstocket/Rosemount Ward; George St/Harbour Ward.Four council areas were identified within the EqIA study area:
- Aberdeenshire Council
- Aberdeen City Council
- The Highland Council
- Moray Council.
The A96 Inverness to Nairn (including Nairn Bypass) scheme does not form part of the A96 Corridor Review as it has been through the statutory process and has received ministerial consent , with Made Orders published on 22 February 2024. Interventions within Nairn itself, however, have been included in the transport intervention packages in the appraisal.
Existing Transport Network and Travel Patterns
The entire length of the A96 Trunk Road is serviced by a bus route between Inverness and Aberdeen, with local services available in some of the larger towns along the route. Community transport and demand responsive transport services are operated within each of the local authorities, although coverage is limited, with membership often required.
The rail line between Inverness and Aberdeen generally follows the alignment of the A96 and includes 12 stations, including both Aberdeen and Inverness.
There are several on and off-road active travel corridors in the study area, many being local networks, alongside the NCN 1 long-distance cycle route. This also connects to NCN 195 in Aberdeen and NCN 7 south of Inverness and forms part of the National Cycle Network. Traffic-free parts of the routes exist in small sections but for longer travel between settlements and towns, it is necessary to travel on-road.
Age
The mid-2020 population estimate for the EqIA study area totals 219, 093 persons ( National Records for Scotland (2020) Population Projections for Scottish Areas (2018-based). ) .
Current national population estimates reveal that 17% of the population are aged 15 and under, 64% of the population are between 16-64 and 19% of the population are 65 and over ( National Records for Scotland (2021) Mid-2020 Population Estimates, Scotland. ) . Recent data shows an increase in the average age of the population within the 65 years and over age bracket, growing by 33% in the period 2000 to 2021.
Children and Young People
While the percentage of children living in the study area is marginally lower (16.5%), the proportion of young people is slightly higher (11.0%) when compared to Scotland as a whole (16.8% and 10.4% respectively) ( National Records for Scotland (2021) Mid-2020 Population Estimates, Scotland. ) .
Children and young people are more likely to benefit from investment in active travel and public transport interventions, especially where access to education, training and other important services is improved. In particular, availability of public transport in rural areas is a significant challenge for young people who are more dependent on public transport for accessing key services.
According to the Scottish Health Survey ( Scottish Government (2020) Scottish Health Survey 2018: main report - revised 2020. ) in 2019, 16% of children in Scotland were at risk of obesity. Access to active travel and transport systems that encourage active living and regular physical activity is an important factor in combating obesity, as well as having beneficial impacts on mental health and wellbeing.
Environmental impacts of traffic can disproportionately affect children. Traffic-related noise is correlated more broadly with lower health-related quality of life in children ( Hjortebjerg, D., Anderson, A.M., Christensen, J.S., Ketzel, M., Raaschou-Nielsen, O., Sunyer, J., Julvez, J., Forns, J. and Sorensen, M. (2015) ‘Exposure to Road Traffic Noise and Behavioral Problems in 7-Year-Old Children: A Cohort Study’ Environmental Health Perspectives, 124(2): 228-34 ) and they are more vulnerable to the effects of poor air quality compared to the overall population. Children are also more vulnerable to the environmental, safety and accessibility impacts of construction activities associated with new transport infrastructure or maintenance projects.
Safety is a key issue for children with regards to transport. Children accounted for 28% of all pedestrian casualties recorded in Scotland in 2020 ( Transport Scotland (2020a). Casualties by gender and age ) . Children and young people from deprived areas were found more likely to be involved in road traffic accidents, the risk being highest on main roads and on residential roads near shops and leisure services in their local areas ( Christie, N. (2017) ‘Why we need to view road safety through a public health lens’. 38(2): 139-141 ) .
Older people
As with Scotland as a whole, Aberdeen City, Aberdeenshire, Highland and Moray Council areas have ageing populations. Between mid-2010 and mid-2020, the percentage of those aged 65 and over increased by 14%, 30%, 27% and 24% in Aberdeen City, Aberdeenshire, Highland and Moray respectively, compared to 20% nationally ( National Records for Scotland (2021) Council Area Profiles 2018-2020. ) .
Older people are more likely to use public transport for journeys in comparison to other age groups and there has been a ~2% increase in the number of people aged 65+ in possession of a concessionary bus pass between 2009 and 2019 ( Transport Scotland (2020) Transport and Travel in Scotland 2019: Results from the Scottish Household Survey ) .
For older people, the lack of access to public transport services can act as a barrier to accessing key services including healthcare. Accessibility issues are likely to affect older people and disabled people more than other groups and can have both physical and psychological impacts. Research revealed that 50% of community transport survey respondents noted that their trip could not or would not be made without community transport ( Transport Scotland (2015) Research into the Social and Economic Benefits of Community Transport in Scotland ) .
Older people are disproportionately vulnerable to the adverse health effects of traffic-related noise and air pollution ( Halonen, J (2015) Road traffic noise is associated with increased cardiovascular morbidity and mortality and all-cause mortality in London ) . This group is also more vulnerable to the environmental, safety and accessibility impacts of construction activities associated with new transport infrastructure.
Disability
Around 19% of Scotland’s population live with a long-term physical or mental condition that limits their daily life ( National Records for Scotland (2011). Scottish Census ) . Yet, those with long-term limiting illnesses, including disabled people, often experience higher levels of inequality.
Accessible transport is an important aspect of enabling disabled people to enjoy equal access to full citizenship. Disabled adults are more likely to use the bus than non-disabled adults (11% of journeys vs 7%) ( Transport Scotland (2021) Disability and Transport ) . In terms of requiring affordable transport options, whilst the National Concessionary Travel Scheme is available to all those who qualify, disabled people are more likely to face transportation cost issues than non-disabled people.
Disabled people, especially those with weak respiratory systems, may experience disproportionate impacts of traffic-related emissions and dust, as well as dust and emissions created through construction and maintenance of transport infrastructure.
Sexual Orientation
Sexual orientation is one of the five groups of protected characteristics covered by hate crime legislation. It is estimated that 17% of LGBT people, and one in four disabled LGBT people, experienced a hate crime in the 12 months prior to 2017, an increase from 9% in 2013 ( Stonewall Scotland (2017) LGBT in Scotland, Hate Crime and Discrimination ) . LGBT individuals are more likely than heterosexual individuals to have encountered inappropriate sexual behaviour or hate crime while using public transport and therefore may be concerned about safety and security while using the transport network.
Gender Reassignment
There is limited data and evidence available on the experiences of transgender people. However, research has identified that trans people have lower income, and experience structural disadvantages in accessing employment and training opportunities, and are therefore at a higher risk of transport poverty ( Scottish Transgender Alliance (2008) Transgender Experiences in Scotland. ) .
Transgender identity is also one of the protected characteristics covered by the hate crime legislation. Nearly half of transgender persons in Scotland experienced a transphobic hate crime or incident in the year previous to 2017, according to estimates ( Stonewall Scotland (2017) LGBT in Scotland, Hate Crime and Discrimination ) . For many transgender people, concerns about discrimination and harassment are part of their day-to-day lives, and could affect their use of public transport and public transport facilities, especially at night when these may be poorly lit, for fear of harassment or discrimination.
Pregnancy and Maternity
Pregnant women may be mobility-restricted, particularly at later stages of pregnancy and may have concerns or issues with regards to accessibility and safety, as well as needing to access facilities whilst feeling nauseous or ill whilst travelling.
Pregnant women are also more vulnerable to the adverse effects of air pollution, including an increasing risk of miscarriage ( Leiser. C, Hanson. H, Sawyer, K, Steenblik, J, Al-Dulaimi, R, Madsen, T, Gibbins, K, Hotaling, J, Oluseye Ibrahim, Y, VanDerslice, J & Fuller, M (2019) Acute effects of air pollutants on spontaneous pregnancy loss: a case crossover study, Fertility and Sterility, Volume 111, Issue 2, 2019, Pages 341- 347 ) as well premature births and low birth weights.
Race
The majority of the population in Scotland and the EqIA study area are white according to the 2011 Census. ‘African’ represents the largest ethnic minority in the study area (1.0%)
Racial crime is the most commonly reported hate crime with 3,249 charges reported in Scotland in 2017-18 ( Office for National Statistics (2018) Hate Crime in Scotland 2017-2018. ) . Racial discrimination, harassment or abuse can create a barrier to travel for ethnic minority groups when accessing the transport network.
Religion
The majority of those who stated a religion identified with the Church of Scotland at both the national and study area level ( National Records for Scotland (2011) Scottish Census ) . There are a number of other religious minorities, with Muslim being the largest at both levels.
Religion or belief is one of the five protected characteristic groups covered by the hate crime legislation. Roman Catholicism is the religion that was most often the subject of reported abuse, with 319 charges for 2017-18 ( Scottish Government (2018) Religiously Aggravated Offending in Scotland 2017-18. ) . Protestantism and Islam are the religions that were subject to the next highest number of aggravations in 2016-17. Therefore, these groups may have concerns about religious discrimination, assault or harassment while using the transport network.
Muslim adults are more likely to live in relative poverty, have lower median hourly earnings and experience a large pay gap between those with no religion ( Equality and Human Rights Commission (2018) EHRC, Is Scotland Fairer? ) . As such, this group might be more vulnerable to the costs of transport and face barriers in accessing employment, education, healthcare and other services as a result.
Sex
Women are more likely to make multi-stop and multi-purpose trips, combining travel to work with trips for other purposes such as taking children to school, looking after family members, or shopping, and are more likely to walk, be a passenger in a car, or take a bus than men ( Sustrans (2018) ‘Are we nearly there yet?’ Exploring gender and active travel. ) .
Women’s concerns when travelling on public transport largely relate to gender-based violence and assault, including sexual harassment. In comparison to males, women are more likely to be very or fairly concerned about sexual assault, and they are also less likely to feel very or fairly safe going alone at night (65% compared to 90% of men) ( Scottish Government (2021) Scottish Crime and Justice Survey 2019/20: main findings. ) .