Timetable for Scots transport reviews

POLICY

Transport Scotland has outlined the timetable for preparing three key elements of future transport policy: the second national transport strategy (NTS), the fourth national planning framework (NPF), and the second strategic transport projects review (STPR). 

Preparation of the new NTS is underway. A draft version will be published for consultation early next year and the final version published in the summer. 

The Scottish Government will commence engagement on the NPF this autumn and publish a draft version next spring, followed by consultation in September/October. Parliament will consider the NPF in 2020, with publication expected at the end of that year.

The STPR will prioritise Scotland’s major transport infrastructure schemes, taking a 20-year view. Options development work and a strategic environmental assessment will commence early next year and run into 2020. Consultation on a draft STPR will take place in 2020, with the final version to be published in the final months of that year. 

In addition to these three pieces of work, the Scottish Government is due to publish a new Transport Bill later this month. 

Environmental transport group Transform Scotland this week called for the Bill to give councils the power to introduce workplace parking levy schemes. In addition, it wants to see civil enforcement powers for bus lane and segregated cycle lane parking offences; lane rental and permit scheme powers to manage road and utility works;  a ban on pavement parking; and a nationwide smart ticketing scheme.

Strathclyde Partnership for Transport has, meanwhile, published the timetable for preparing its new regional transport strategy (RTS). Consultation on a draft RTS will take place in mid-2020 with the final version published later that year. Consultants are due to be appointed this month to support strategy development.