Legislative and Policy Context

Policy Context

The A96 Corridor Review is undertaken within the context of national, regional and local Plans, Programmes and Strategies (PPS) in Scotland. A comprehensive review of PPS from national, regional and local levels is provided in Appendix B (Plans, Programmes and Strategies Review). A summary of the key PPS is provided in the following sections.

National Planning Framework 4 (NPF4)

The Scottish Government’s 2022-2023 Programme for Government highlights the significance of the National Planning Framework to put planning at the heart of delivering green, inclusive and long-term sustainable development in Scotland. The National Planning Framework includes a long-term spatial strategy to 2045. This reflects the range of Scottish Government policies, including the Infrastructure Investment Plan (IIP) 2021-22 to 2025-26. It will guide spatial development, set out national planning policies, designate national developments and highlight regional spatial priorities.

NPF4 was adopted on 13 February 2023 and sets out a need to “embrace and deliver radical change to tackle and adapt to climate change, restore biodiversity loss, improve health and wellbeing, build a wellbeing economy and create great places”. NPF4 recognises the need to plan our places in a way that reduces the need to travel, especially by unsustainable modes, and promotes a shift to active and sustainable travel.

NPF4 embeds, for the first time, the NTS2 Sustainable Travel Hierarchy and Sustainable Investment Hierarchy into planning decision making and development planning. The NPF4 spatial strategy sets out a local living approach whereby future places, homes and neighbourhoods will be connected, liveable, thriving places with sustainable travel options and where car dominance is reduced.

To meet many of the future needs of society, it is crucial that services and facilities are easily and affordably accessed. Therefore, NPF4 advocates the infrastructure-first approach in planning for future development to provide communities with the opportunity to travel sustainably from the outset.

The A96 corridor broadly falls between two regional spatial priority areas identified in NPF4, the north-east and the north. The north-east, has a strategy to:

  • plan infrastructure and investment to support the transition from oil and gas to net zero whilst protecting and enhancing blue and green infrastructure and decarbonising connectivity
  • focus on continued regeneration through the principles of local living and 20-minute neighbourhoods to sustain the skilled workforce and improve local liveability
  • support continued economic diversification and innovation.

The North Regional Spatial Priority Area has a strategy to:

  • protect environmental assets and stimulate investment in natural and engineered solutions to climate change and nature restoration, whilst decarbonising transport and building resilient connections
  • maintain and help to grow the population by taking a positive approach to rural development that strengthens networks of communities
  • support local economic development by making sustainable use of the areas world-class environmental assets to innovate and lead greener growth.

NPF4 also sets out ‘The Six Qualities of Successful Places’:

  • Healthy
  • Pleasant
  • Connected
  • Distinctive
  • Sustainable
  • Adaptable.

The A96 is identified within NPF4 Annex C Spatial Planning Priorities as a key route to be adapted and improved. The NPF4 states that roads will continue to be arteries upon which local communities and businesses depend. It also refers to the need to adapt key routes due to the impacts of climate change, create a strong network of charging points, and the need to improve safety on the A96.

National Transport Strategy 2 (NTS2)

In February 2020, NTS2 was published, outlining an updated vision over a 20-year period for a transport system which is a “sustainable, inclusive, safe and accessible transport system, helping deliver a healthier, fairer and more prosperous Scotland for communities, businesses and visitor” 2020 (p.4).

The vision is underpinned by four priorities:

  • Reducing inequalities through the provision of fair, easy and affordable access to transport services.
  • Taking climate action by ensuring Scotland’s transport system helps deliver the Scottish Government’s net zero carbon emission target by 2045, adapts to the effects of climate change and promotes the use of sustainable travel options.
  • Delivering inclusive economic growth by ensuring Scotland’s transport network and services will be effectively integrated with spatial and land use planning and economic development, adapt to the changing requirements of citizens, businesses and visitors, provide reliable journey times, and use new and innovative products, services and technologies.
  • Improving health and wellbeing by prioritising the prevention and reduction of incidents, promoting active travel and creating cleaner and greener places and networks within the transport system.

NTS2 outlines the Sustainable Transport Hierarchy, and the Sustainable Investment Hierarchy as measures which will guide and influence decisions on transport priorities. The Sustainable Transport Hierarchy promotes and prioritises active travel and public transport above shared and private transport options. The Sustainable Investment Hierarchy requires that measures to reduce the need to travel unsustainably and to maintain and safely operate existing assets are priorities above measures to make better use of capacity and undertake targeted infrastructure improvements.

More specific to the A96 transport corridor, current policies and strategies demonstrate a focus on strengthening and enhancing multimodal connections through targeted infrastructure investment, particularly for underserved rural areas. These multimodal connections will play an important role in supporting both the emerging and future planned growth as set out in regional and local development plans. Improvements to both the trunk road and rail network are also highlighted as being essential to facilitate a sustainable and just transition towards meeting the ambitious climate change targets as set by Scottish Government. Safety and congestion concerns are also identified at the regional and local level in the relevant development plans and transport strategies along the length of the transport corridor.

The relationship between the A96 Trunk Road and local communities and businesses is identified as being pivotal. Any enhancement of the current transport corridor will contribute towards successfully achieving strategic objectives and priorities for transport and other complementary sectors.

Strategic Transport Projects Review 2 (STPR2)

The second strategic transport review will inform transport investment in Scotland and help to deliver the visions, priorities and outcomes set out in the NTS2. Covering a 20-year period (2022-2042), STPR2 takes into consideration the transport needs of communities across Scotland, examining provisions available for active travel (walking, cycling, wheeling) as well as bus, rail, road and ferry links for both commercial and personal use.

STPR2 has five key objectives that it aims to address:

  • Takes climate action
  • Addresses inequalities & accessibility
  • Improved health and wellbeing
  • Supports sustainable economic growth
  • Increases safety and resilience.

Public consultation on the STPR2 Technical Report and its accompanying SEA ( Jacobs AECOM (2022) STPR2 Strategic Environmental Assessment - Draft Environmental Report. ) ended in April 2022. The final STPR2 SEA Environmental Report and Post Adoption Statement were published in December 2022.

Climate Change Plan Update

The Scottish Government published “ Securing a Green Recovery on a Path to Net Zero : Climate Change Plan 2018–2032 – update” ( Scottish Government (202a) Securing a Green Recovery on a Path to Net Zero: Climate Change Plan 2018–2032. ) in December 2020 which reflects the ambition of the new targets set in the Climate Change (Emissions Reduction Targets) (Scotland) Act 2019. These comprise the reduction of Scotland’s greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions to net zero by 2045 at the latest.

By 2045 the vision, in line with NTS2, includes “having a sustainable, inclusive, safe and accessible transport system, helping deliver a healthier, fairer and more prosperous Scotland for communities, business and visitors” (p.118).

Reducing Car Use for a Healthier, Fairer and Greener Scotland

In January 2022, the Scottish Government and the Convention of Scottish Local Authorities (COSLA) developed a route map to deliver the shift in travel behaviours required to meet the 20% car kilometres reduction target, recognising the need for ongoing collaboration and partnership working between national, regional and local governmen t as well as public, private and third sector partners ( Scottish Government (2022) Reducing Car Use for a Healthier, Fairer and Greener Scotland: A Route Map to Achieve a 20 Per Cent Reduction in Car Kilometres by 2020, Scottish Government and COSLA, January 2022. ) . The route map sets out the suite of policies from across Government that may be implemented to support car-use reduction in order to both address climate change and deliver a healthier, fairer and more prosperous Scotland, and recognises the role of STPR2 in setting out recommendations for future investment decisions.

Successful implementation of the actions set out in the route map are expected to lead to a transformational way of living in Scotland, where a new localism thrives in villages, towns and city neighbourhoods; where streets become places that are safe for people of all ages to travel by walking and cycling whilst maintaining private vehicle access for those with disabilities; where longer journeys are made by convenient and affordable public or shared transport; and with greater use of online access to key services and opportunities. This future will both enable statutory climate change targets to be met, whilst at the same time creating better ways of living, improved health and wellbeing and the associated social and economic benefits of a society less dominated by private cars.

The A96 Corridor Review will need to consider how the transport interventions within the study area will help reduce car kilometres by 20% by 2030, highlighting the benefits of implementing these targets.

Regional Transport and Planning Strategies

Regional Transport Strategy for the North East of Scotland 2040 (Nestrans)

Published in November 2021, Nestrans is the Regional Transport Partnership for the North East of Scotland. It is a long-term strategy which sets the vision for transport in the region for the next 20 years. Nestrans’ vision is “ to provide a safer, cleaner, more inclusive, accessible and resilient transport system in the North East, which protects the natural and built environment and contributes to healthier, more prosperous and fairer communities ” (p.22).

Prioritising sustainable transport is a key theme running through the Nestrans strategy, promoting active travel, and reducing the need for private cars both underpin the climate considerate approach to travel. COVID-19 and the impact this has had upon travel patterns is being continually monitored so that there can be agile and informed responses to both short-term and long-term travel use in the region.

The Highlands and Islands Transport Partnership (HITRANS) Regional Transport Strategy (RTS)

The HITRANS RTS looks to support the improved access to transport for the communities it represents, as it recognises the social and economic opportunities this provides. Investment in rail, road, and ferry connections is a key priority of the strategy as they are a lifeline for many of the rural communities in this region. The HITRANS RTS states that each community across the region should expect good transport connections and that the transport services provided in any given area “ will be determined by the needs of that community ” (p.6).

Local Transport and Planning Strategies

Moray Council Active Travel Strategy 2022-2027

The Active Trave Strategy is a 5 year plan from 2022 to 2027 that aims to harness the increase in walking and cycling.

The main actions from this 5 year plan are:

  • Further develop the Active Travel network
  • Develop Active Travel Masterplans for key settlements in Moray
  • Embed Active Travel opportunities within new developments
  • Encourage and facilitate walking and cycling as leisure and tourist activities to provide benefits to health and local economy
  • Provide new/improved cycle parking/ facilities at key destinations and transport interchanges in Moray
  • Work with local employers (including Moray Council) and their staff to encourage more walking and cycling to and from work
  • Work with students and school pupils, staff and parents to encourage more walking, cycling and scooting to and from school/ further education
  • Continue to seek funding from existing sources and identify new funding opportunities as they emerge to secure funding for Active Travel interventions, as appropriate.

Aberdeen City Local Transport Strategy 2016-2021

The Local Transport Strategy for Aberdeen sets out the plan for development of the city’s transport network over a five-year period. The strategy follows guidance from national and regional transport plans, policies and strategies considering the relationship transport has with the economy, environment, health, people and communities.

Six outcomes of Aberdeen’s transport system by 2021 are identified in the strategy as being:

  • increased modal share for public transport and active travel
  • reduced need to travel and reduced dependence on the private car
  • improved journey time reliability for all modes
  • improved road safety within the city
  • improved air quality and the environment
  • improved accessibility to transport for all.

Aberdeenshire Council Local Transport Strategy 2012

Aberdeenshire Council’s Local Transport Strategy sets out how the council aims to cater for the needs of all transport users across the region and ensuring that, where possible, existing resources and infrastructure are used to their full potential. The strategy was developed with the intention of supporting the delivery of a range of wider strategic transport priorities as set out in the Nestrans Regional Transport Strategy.

The following objectives are noted as underpinning the council’s strategic priorities:

  • Promote Sustainable Economic Growth
  • Promote Social Inclusion and Accessibility
  • Protect the Environment
  • Improve Safety
  • Improve Integration.

Transport ‘themes’ to include the Aberdeenshire Local Transport Strategy 2023 were recently consulted on. If published in time, further information on the Local Trasport Strategy will be included in the Final Environmental Report.

Moray Local Development Plan 2020

The Moray Local Development Plan was formally adopted in July 2020 and sets out a vision for development in Moray and provides guidance on development for the period up to 2030.

The overall vision for the Moray Local Plan is “People want to live, work and invest in Moray because of the outstanding quality of life and environment”; this is supported by a series of objectives which are described in Appendix B (Plans, Programmes and Strategies Review) of this Environmental Report.

Transportation and the provision of high-quality, well-planned transport across Moray is noted as an essential aspect of development that will aid a prosperous future. Investment in public transport and active travel will bring both environmental and health benefits for communities whilst working to address the climate emergency.

Aberdeen Local Development Plan 2023

Aberdeen is Scotland’s third largest city and plays an important role in the country in many aspects. The Aberdeen Local Development Plan 2023 was formally adopted by the Council and constituted as part of the statutory Development Plan. It will be used to guide decisions on planning applications alongside Aberdeen Planning Guidance and Supplementary Guidance.

Aberdeenshire Local Development Plan 2023

The Aberdeenshire Local Development Plan was adopted in January 2023. The aim of the plan is to help promote Aberdeenshire as:

  • an area with a high quality of life and distinctive places, and where new developments are designed as effectively as possible to improve this, help deliver sustainable, low carbon places and contribute positively towards the health and wellbeing of its residents
  • an area that promotes sustainable development that reduces the need to travel, reduces reliance on private cars and promotes safe and convenient active travel opportunities
  • an area where natural and cultural heritage are protected and enhanced, and where we recognise the multiple benefits of local green spaces and green-blue networks as an integral component of successful placemaking.

Relationship with Other PPS

SEA consideration of the A96 Corridor Review, within the context of the most relevant PPS, supports the identification of wider environmental protection objectives and issues that the project should take cognisance of and might support with its delivery.

A wide range of national and regional level policies from various PPS need to be considered in the development of the A96 Corridor Review and the SEA. The key relevant aspects of these policies are included in Appendix B (Plans, Programmes and Strategies Review).

A review of the associated environmental protection objectives highlights existing and potential problems, as well as opportunities for enhancement and benefits, and has served as an important base upon which to build the SEA objectives and assessment framework.

Key Environmental Objectives arising from the PPS Review are summarised below.

Air Quality and Climatic Factors

  • Promote and facilitate sustainable and active travel;
  • Reduce GHG emissions to align with the net zero targets and national/ international climate commitments;
  • Adapt to the effects of climate change; and
  • Enhance well-being health environment. Place making and sustainable growth through improved air quality.

Population and Human Health

  • Promote sustainable and active travel;
  • Improve the quality and connection of transport interventions to reduce inequality and promote inclusivity;
  • Improve safety through fewer accidents and casualties;
  • Protect citizens from the harmful effects of air pollution; and
  • Reduce noise and vibrations associated with the transport network.

Biodiversity

  • Protect and enhance the natural environment, wildlife, its habitats and other features, including internationally and nationally designated sites;
  • Restore ecosystems and ensure their future protection, reintroducing more resilient local biodiversity;
  • Aim to secure positive effects for biodiversity and support nature recovery, restoration and enhance green networks.

Geology and Soils

  • Safeguard and maximise the multiple benefits and functions of carbon-rich soils and peat.

Water Environment

  • Flood risk management and changing ecosystems must be factored into future development to ensure nature-based adaptation;
  • Protect and enhance the water environment through minimising and mitigating impacts upon physical, chemical and biological quality;
  • Adapt to the effects of climate change; and
  • Safeguard access to ports and harbours and encourage their sustainable growth, to maximise their potential to facilitate cargo and passenger movement and to support other sectors.

Cultural Heritage

  • Avoiding detrimental impacts upon and supporting the preservation and management of the historic environment.

Landscape and Visual Amenity

  • Protect and enhance the landscape (including the green belt and countryside);
  • Ensure that visual amenity and important views are safeguarded; and
  • Encourage green infrastructure

Material Assets

  • Promote sustainable design and innovation to reduce material consumption;
  • Minimise waste generation through recycling and reusing materials; and
  • Maintain an enhanced transport infrastructure.