Transport Scotland has undertaken the Strategic Transport Projects Review (STPR) to define the most appropriate strategic investments in Scotland’s national transport network from 2012.

STPR - Background

The STPR has reported its findings to Ministers. A Parliamentary announcement on these was made on 10 December 2008.

The STPR has made recommendations on a portfolio of land-based strategic transport interventions which will establish the basis for the ongoing development of Scotland's transport infrastructure to meet the demands of the 21^st Century.

The STPR focuses on identifying those interventions that most effectively contribute towards the Government's Purpose of increasing sustainable economic growth. This Purpose and its supporting objectives are set out in the Government’s Economic Strategy.

The STPR complements both the emerging National Planning Framework 2 and the delivery of the three strategic outcomes identified in the National Transport Strategy:

• improving journey times and connections – to tackle congestion and the lack of integration and connections in transport which impact on our high level objectives for economic growth, social inclusion, integration and safety
  
• reducing emissions – to tackle the issues of climate change, air quality and health improvement which impact on our high level objective for protecting the environment and improving health, and
  
• improving quality, accessibility and affordability – to give people a choice of public transport, where availability means better quality transport services and value for money or an alternative to the car.

The STPR has been undertaken using an objective led, evidence based approach to appraise potential means of addressing transport issues. This approach is compatible with Scottish Transport Appraisal Guidance (STAG) methodology. This approach ensures that the Government's priorities of a Wealthier and Fairer, Healthier, Safer and Stronger, Smarter and Greener Scotland are met and that investment is targeted on those interventions that most effectively support improving Scotland’s sustainable economic development.

The outcome of the STPR is structured on a tiered approach to investment, based around the priorities of:

• maintaining and safely operating existing assets
  
• promoting a range of measures, including innovative solutions, that make better use of existing capacity; and
  
• promoting targeted infrastructure improvements where these are necessary, affordable and practicable.

This approach makes best use of limited resources and ensures new infrastructure is identified only after other interventions have been appraised and considered. It also promotes and supports a more sustainable transport network by encouraging efficient use of existing road and rail resources, encouraging sustainable mode choices through targeted rail enhancements and providing better opportunities for strategic public transport and freight movements.

A range of delivery partners will be needed for measures which address both national and local objectives. The STPR does not specifically include interventions that are the responsibility of Local Authorities and Regional Transport Partnerships to develop and deliver.

STPR - Publications

The STPR has been published as a series of documents. Together, these set out the stages of the appraisal undertaken to complete the Review. The documents are accessible via the links below:

STPR Report 1 – Report on Network Performance

STPR Report 2 – Report on Gaps and Shortfalls

STPR Report 3 – Option Generation and Appraisal

STPR Report 4 – Final Report

Strategic Environmental Assessment – Environmental Report and Appendices

Strategic Environmental Assessment – non-technical summary

Strategic Environmental Assessment - addendum

Strategic Environmental Assessment - Post Adoption Statement

STPR Summary Information Leaflet