The Part 1 Appraisal Summary Tables should be completed for each option appraised during this stage in the transport appraisal process. The Part 1 ASTs should set out in one place:
- A brief description of the option;
- Summary background information on the geographic, social and economic context of the study area likely to be affected by the option;
- The Transport Planning Objectives set, as defined during Objective Setting, and a summary of the performance of the option against these objectives;
- A summary of the scoping appraisal of the impacts of the option against the STAG Criteria;
- Any relevant additional established policy directives and a summary of the performance of the option against these objectives;
- A statement of the scope for implementation - i.e. feasibility, affordability and public acceptability; and
- A brief summary of the rationale for taking the option forward to Part 2 Appraisal or a summary explanation of why the option is being rejected.
Discussion of how to report against the Transport Planning Objectives and the STAG Criteria in Part 1 Appraisal has been provided above. It should be reiterated that only a qualitative assessment is required at this stage, although quantitative details can be provided if they are readily available.
The Implementability Appraisal should cover:
- Technical Issues - a preliminary assessment of the feasibility of construction or implementation (if relevant) of a proposal and the status of its technology (e.g. proven, prototype, in development, etc.) as well as any cost, timescale, or deliverability risks associated with the construction of an option, including consideration of the need for any departure from design standards that may be required;
- Operation Issues - who would operate the option, including, if relevant, their statutory powers to operate a proposal and any other issues (e.g. cost) which may impact on its operation;
- Financial Issues - what is the scale of the financing burden on the promoting authority and other possible funding organisations and what are the risks associated with these. What is the level of risk associated with a proposal's ongoing operating or maintenance costs and its likely operating revenues (if applicable); and
- Public Issues - the likely public response to an option. Reference to supporting evidence, for example results from a consultation exercise, should be provided where appropriate.
For each option which is rejected at Part 1 there should be discussion of its performance against the Transport Planning Objectives. Additional issues which led the practitioner to conclude that the option should not progress to Part 2 will require full explanation.
Full Part 1 ASTs do not need to be included for rejected options although it is expected that at least partly completed Part 1 ASTs would be produced as part of the study process and could be called upon for audit or inquiry purposes at a later date.
In order to avoid abortive appraisal work, at this stage, discussions should be held with the Scottish Government or its agency Transport Scotland, about the likelihood of the option securing support or funding, and whether options other than those identified also need to be assessed in detail.
