At the Part 1 Appraisal, a qualitative assessment should be completed for each option against each STAG Criteria, using a seven point scale assessment, that considers the relative size and scale of impacts. The Part 1 Appraisal should capture the likely impacts of options but detailed appraisal should not be undertaken until the Part 2 Appraisal phase. It should be noted that at this phase, qualitative information on likely impacts is all that is required, but where available, quantitative information can be provided.
For each STAG Criteria the practitioner should therefore note whether the option would bring:
- Major benefit - these are benefits or positive impacts which, depending on the scale of benefit or severity of impact, the practitioner feels should be a principal consideration when assessing a option's eligibility for funding;
- Moderate benefit - the option is anticipated to have only a moderate benefit or positive impact. Moderate benefits and impacts are those which taken in isolation may not determine an option's eligibility for funding, but taken together do so;
- Minor benefit - the option is anticipated to have only a small benefit or positive impact. Small benefits or impacts are those which are worth noting, but the practitioner believes are not likely to contribute materially to determining whether an option is funded or otherwise.
- No benefit or impact - the option is anticipated to have no or negligible benefit or negative impact.
- Small minor cost or negative impact - the option is anticipated to have only a moderate cost or negative impact. Moderate costs/negative impacts are those which taken in isolation may not determine an option's eligibility for funding, but taken together could do so.
- Moderate cost or negative impact - the option is anticipated to have only a moderate cost or negative impact. Moderate costs/negative impacts are those which taken in isolation may not determine an option's eligibility for funding, but taken together could do so;
- Major cost or negative impacts - these are costs or negative impacts which, depending on the scale of cost or severity of impact, the practitioner should take into consideration when assessing an option's eligibility for funding.
It should be noted that on the whole, qualitative information on impacts is all that is required at this stage, but where available, quantitative information can be provided. Supporting qualitative and, where available, quantitative information should be presented alongside the Part 1 Appraisal of options against the STAG Criteria using the seven point assessment scale.
A summary of the requirements when undertaking appraisal against each STAG Criteria for transport during Part 1 Appraisal is presented below:
