Aberdeen Rapid Transit (ART) investment in the north-east is welcomed by NESTRANS
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The Scottish Government has published its blueprint for future transport investment which highlights projects including a mass transit scheme for Aberdeen
The second Strategic Transport Projects Review (STPR2) makes 45 recommendations under six key themes which seek to make transport in Scotland more sustainable.
Recommendations include-
Mass transit in city the regions of Glasgow, Edinburgh and Aberdeen: Clyde Metro represents a multi-billion investment which, when complete, could better connect over 1.5 million people to employment, education and health services in and around the Glasgow city region. Plans for Edinburgh and south-east Scotland Mass Transit and Aberdeen Rapid Transit will also be developed.
Rural transport and island communities: Continuing investment in ferry renewals, improving port infrastructure and connections from ferry terminals to other types of public transport to reduce car reliance, enhancing island connectivity and making safety improvements on rural trunk roads where accident rates and severities are typically higher.
Decarbonisation of public transport: Transport is Scotland’s biggest carbon emitter and the recommendations emphasise decarbonisation and behaviour change for ferries, rail and buses as well as increasing the shift to zero emission vehicles.
Improving active travel infrastructure: encouraging more people to walk, wheel and cycle more often; cutting carbon emissions and improving health and wellbeing, particularly of children, while supporting sustainable economic growth.
Transforming freight: developing a net zero freight and logistics network for Scotland that would encourage the switch from road to rail or water and reduce the overall distance travelled, including a review of rail freight terminals/ hubs.
Welcoming the review, chair of Nestrans councillor Sandra Macdonald said, “Along with Aberdeen City and Aberdeenshire Councils, Nestrans has significantly contributed to the STPR2 process, promoting the regional interests of the north-east.
The themes of the national document align with our own Regional Transport Strategy (RTS), and they provide a strong basis for progressing what we want to achieve here over the next 20 years.
“To reduce car kilometres, improve air quality and work towards Net Zero, we need to have sustainable alternatives to car travel which are attractive, accessible and efficient.
"I am particularly pleased to see two projects highlighted which will directly support public transport and active travel in the north-east.
“The Aberdeen Rapid Transit (ART) scheme is a flagship project from the North East Regional Transport Strategy.
"In the coming years, it will deliver transformational public transport, linking key routes with high-frequency ultra-modern vehicles that are efficient and competitive compared to a car journey.
"This will help deliver positive social, environment and economic benefits for the region.
“The development of an active travel freeway network along key routes in Aberdeen underpins the development of active travel across the region, by offering a safe dedicated space for walking and cycling across the city with connections to an extended network of links to the wider north-east region.”
