Introduction

Background

In August 2021, it was agreed by the Scottish Government to take forward a transport enhancements programme on the A96 corridor that improves connectivity between surrounding towns, tackles congestion and addresses safety and environmental issues.

Whilst the current plan is to fully dual the A96 route, it was agreed as part of this process there would be a transparent, evidence-based review of the programme, to include a climate compatibility assessment to assess direct and indirect impacts on the climate and the environment. Other statutory assessments would also be undertaken which include a Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) and Statutory Impact Assessments (SIAs).

As it has already received Ministerial consent following a Public Local Inquiry, dualling of the A96 from Inverness to Nairn as well as a bypass of Nairn is separate from the wider A96 review process.

The A96 Corridor Review is being carried out in accordance with the Scottish Transport Appraisal Guidance (STAG). ( Transport Scotland (2022) Scottish Transport Appraisal Guidance – Managers Guide. ) STAG is the best practice, objective-led approach to transport appraisal. The transport appraisal has considered all relevant transport modes within the A96 corridor, including active travel, public transport, rail and roads-based transport modes. Adopting STAG also brings the review in line with the same methodology as set out in the Second Strategic Transport Projects Review (STPR2).

The A96 Corridor Review is being carried out by design consultants Jacobs AECOM acting on behalf of Transport Scotland. Jacobs AECOM supported Transport Scotland undertaking STPR2. The review considers transport problems and opportunities within the A96 corridor. It also looks at the changing policy context and other key considerations, such as development and growth aims for the corridor and surrounding area. Additionally, it considers the impact of the global climate emergency and the COVID-19 pandemic on how people work and travel within the corridor.

A96 Corridor Review Partial BRIA

A Business and Regulatory Impact Assessment (BRIA) is being undertaken as part of the A96 Corridor Review. A BRIA helps to assess the likely costs, benefits, and risks of any proposed primary or secondary legislation, voluntary regulation, codes of practice, guidance, or policy changes that may have an impact on the public, private or third sector (such as charities, community groups and other non-profit-making organisations). The Scottish Government recommends and encourages the completion of a BRIA as best practice to assess the impact of new legislation, as well as other changes such as voluntary guidance or policy changes, even where they do not necessarily present obvious additional burdens. In such cases, it can either help confirm understanding that the impact will not change or identify and address unintended impacts which have not been identified previously.

The content of a BRIA should be proportionate to the problem involved and the size of the proposal. A Business and Regulatory Impact Assessment Toolkit and Template has been developed by Scottish Government to provide guidance and information for completing a BRIA. ( Scottish Government (2022) Business and Regulatory Impact Assessments (BRIA) toolkit. ) This guidance encourages the preparation of a partial BRIA to inform consultation with stakeholders.

In line with the toolkit, an initial document was developed providing baseline information on businesses and affected parties within the area as well as an initial screening assessment of the likely impacts, costs, benefits and risks of the various transport intervention options of the A96 Corridor Review. This was used to engage with selected relevant stakeholders in early 2023.

Following feedback from stakeholders and due to the high-level nature of the A96 Corridor Review proposals at this stage, it was deemed appropriate to limit the preparation of a BRIA to a Partial BRIA for the purpose of the A96 Corridor Review. Therefore, this document presents a Partial BRIA and sets out the purpose, objective and rationale for the A96 Corridor Review. The main purpose of the Partial BRIA is to provide contextual information and identify high-level potential business and regulatory impacts. The intention is that a full BRIA would then be produced at the detailed design stage for any options taken forward as an outcome of the A96 Corridor Review. This document will form the basis for the full A96 BRIA when it is undertaken.