Christmas Newsletter 2011
22/12/2011
Christmas Message from Chair
I am delighted to report that 2011 has been yet another year of progress for Nestrans and its partner organisations, in spite of the current difficult economic climate. Successes for transport have seen the continued growth in rail passenger numbers in the North East as a result of recent rail service improvements, major developments at Aberdeen Airport and north east ports and further improvements to the road, bus, walking and cycling networks through delivery of over £2.8M of projects from the Nestrans Capital budget.
The 'getabout' partnership has continued to promote travel planning and active and sustainable travel, with a large number of successful events held throughout the north east.
Frustration at ongoing delays due to the legal challenges towards the Aberdeen Western Peripheral Route have made it hard to maintain the momentum on other north east infrastructure projects, but the outcome of the hearing is eagerly awaited.
We recognise that continued budget constraint will provide challenges, but Nestrans will continue to seek efficiencies while playing its role of setting the strategic backdrop for transport enhancements and promoting Aberdeen City and Shire's case on a range of national transport issues to safeguard our own economic future and remain a key contributor to the wider UK economy.
If there is one reference point for all our work as a regional transport partnership, it is this: promoting and protecting the interests of Aberdeen City and Shire.
In that context we can look back upon 2011 as a year of success and achievement for Nestrans and its partner organisations.
My grateful thanks to everyone who has worked with Nestrans over the past twelve months to help us realise our ambitions. We look forward to continuing those many and diverse relationships into the new year.
I would also like to say a big thanks to my predecessor as Chair, Kevin Stewart, for the hard work and endeavour he displayed in his time on the Nestrans board and for his continued interest and support.
Finally, may I take this opportunity to wish everyone a very Merry Christmas and best wishes for 2012.
Councillor Ian Yuill, Chair, Nestrans
Growth Agenda
In line with the Government's central purpose of sustainable economic growth, Nestrans continues to work in partnership with Transport Scotland, Local Authorities and the private sector to implement the projects identified within our Delivery Plan to achieve the aims of the Regional Transport Strategy Implementation.
Nestrans is playing an increasingly prominent role in the growth agenda of Aberdeen City and Shire and has continued to represent north east interests and ensure they are considered on a national stage.
Aberdeen City and Aberdeenshire Councils have now published their proposed Local Development Plans and Nestrans has worked with them and the Strategic Development Plan Authority to consider an appropriate means for future developments to contribute to the delivery of strategic transport infrastructure.
In the coming year we look forward to a swift conclusion on the legal processes relating to the challenges against the Aberdeen Western Peripheral Route. A review of the timescale will be undertaken should the Court find the objections not to be sustained and Nestrans will seek commitment for speedy progress to construction of the route and the two national Park & Choose sites.
In the coming year we will progress our Rail Action Plan and continue to implement the actions within the Freight, Health & Transport and Bus Action Plans.
Nestrans will continue to work with NHS Grampian and the Scottish Ambulance Service to deliver the Health & Transport Action Plan. The three sub groups that are now in place focussing on active lifestyles, links between transport and public health and access to healthcare will make recommendations on actions to be taken forward.
The Bus Action Plan will be progressed with the A96 Inverurie/Aberdeen corridor being agreed for actions to deliver Bus Punctuality Improvements. Baseline running times along the corridor has been measured and pinch points identified where improvements could improve journey times and improve punctuality. The successful construction of a bus lane on King Street in 2011 has demonstrated improved journey times and reliability for buses on the Buchan - King Street corridor, the first Bus Punctuality Improvement Partnership corridor in the area.
The Board's budget for the coming year will enable further much needed strategic roads maintenance to be undertaken throughout Aberdeen City and Shire. It continues to add emphasis to improving road safety and further funding is allocated towards cycling and walking measures. We will also contribute to the land purchase and preliminary design of Inverurie Transport Interchange.
We have continued to seek priority for projects within national documents, such as the Strategic Transport Projects Review and National Planning Framework 2 and have represented north east interests on a range of national transport issues to ensure the region's needs and ambitions remain on the national agenda.
This has included pressing for commitment to extend High Speed Rail to Scotland and raising the importance of access to Heathrow for the north east economy. Nestrans has pushed for proposals to be developed and costed to see how the aspiration of a 20 minute saving to rail journey times between Aberdeen and the Central belt can be achieved.
There has been continued growth in rail passenger numbers in the north east, with growth above national average.
Areas of progress in 2011 and priorities for 2012 - strategic
At a strategic level, our priorities in 2011 centred upon our action plans, which support and detail the actions outlined in our overall regional transport strategy.
These cover bus, rail, freight and health - and all have been subject to notable developments over the year.
They have also provided the backdrop to the next key stage of our strategy - our delivery plan.
The plan, agreed in principle by Nestrans and by Aberdeen City and Aberdeenshire Councils, captures all projects, initiatives and developments committed or proposed for the region over the next decade and more.
It is the first document to capture all local transport-related work in the region and, while not representing a committed spending plan, it will help Nestrans, the local authorities and other agencies to map out a schedule of progress and help in the prioritisation of work.
Areas of progress in 2011 and priorities for 2012 - practical
There were many welcome developments during 2011, all of them helping us realise our ambition of a modern, integrated transport network for Aberdeen City and Shire.
High Speed Rail
In February 2011 the Department for Transport and HS2 issued a consultation document. All Scottish Regional Transport Partnerships responded collectively as well as individually to press for a commitment to extend High Speed Rail to Scotland and highlight the strong business case for doing so. In order to accelerate the introduction of High Speed Rail to Scotland, it is recommended that construction be started at both ends rather than just progressing northwards. Nestrans represented the North of Scotland on Transport Scotland's High Speed Rail Business Plan Group.
Access to London
Nestrans has remained active in raising the issue of access to Heathrow and global destinations beyond with decision makers and stressed the vital importance of this to the north east economy. Along with the other northern Regional Transport Partnerships, Nestrans is seeking to redirect landing slots to areas that do not directly gain from the High Speed Rail network due to their geographical peripherality.
Regional Parking Strategy
The Regional Transport Strategy recognises that car parking control is a key element of managing demand and that parking policy will be an important element in influencing modal choice and achieving the RTS objectives. Substantial progress has been made in the past year towards development of a high level strategy for parking across the region. A Draft Car parking Strategy will be developed in 2012.
Getabout
The 'getabout' partnership continues to promote travel planning and active and sustainable travel in the north east through implementation of its integrated travel strategy and action plan. A series of cycle roadshow events were held in 2011 with opportunities for people to try cycling. Several similar events are already planned for 2012.
It is again proposed to hold a commuter challenge in association with Aberdeen Cycle Forum during bike week and events are being planned for In own Without My Car during European Mobility Week.
The 'getabout' website continues to provide travel planning assistance and promote sustainable travel. It is supported by various Liftshare, walking, public transport, Park & Ride, cycle safety and healthy active travel promotions throughout the year. Local rail timetables and station access guides encourage use of rail as a local service as well as for longer journeys. Nestrans' sustainable travel grant scheme continues to support the development of Travel Plans and travel awareness in Aberdeen City and Shire and encourage companies to invest in green transport initiatives.
Future Projects
Planned progress for a number of national and regional projects in the forthcoming year will include:
Aberdeen Western Peripheral Route
A review of the project timescale for the Aberdeen Western Peripheral Route will be undertaken as soon as the legal process regarding the challenges against the scheme is concluded and commitment to speedy progress to construction of the route will be sought should the Court find the objections not sustained.
Park and Ride
Planning permission is currently being sought for the A90(S) Park and Choose site and land acquisition and specimen design will be progressed for this and the A96 site that now has approval. The Minister has indicated a willingness to include construction of both these sites within the Aberdeen Western Peripheral Route contract. Nestrans will continue to work with Transport Scotland and our two Local Authorities to progress proposals and achieve commitment to construct these facilities and secure funding at both local and national level. A pre-tendering process will be undertaken to determine the most appropriate way to operate the Park & Ride network and progress the procurement process.
Strategic Rail Improvements
Network Rail is expected to complete the Stage 3 study into improvements on the Aberdeen to Inverness rail line early in 2012. This study is being undertaken on behalf of Transport Scotland and will examine the range of options identified in the Stage 2 study to improve line speed in greater detail and select and cost a single option.