As the North East looks forward, our economy diversifies and travel patterns change, it is essential, for our regional success, that we ensure people can get where they need to go safely, affordably and reliably. Unfortunately, for many people across our region, this is not yet a reality.
Today, Nestrans is setting out what strategic transport in the North East needs from the next Scottish Government parliamentary term to 2031. As the Regional Transport Partnership for the North East of Scotland, we’re calling for practical support that will help improve the journeys that underpin our economy and wellbeing.
Whether that’s commuting to work or education, accessing healthcare or helping rural communities and businesses stay connected. As we work to deliver our Regional Transport Strategy, several shared challenges remain across our communities and industries:
- Infrastructure Resilience: Efficient everyday journeys rely on safe, reliable and resilient roads, but delays to key projects on strategic routes and the increasing impact of climate change on infrastructure put this reliability at risk.
- Public Transport Connectivity: Many communities, particularly in rural and outlying areas, face limited or unreliable public transport. This increases car dependency and reduces access to work, education, healthcare and services.
- Access to Healthcare: Ease of access to healthcare can too often be shaped by where someone lives and the options they have for travel. This can lead to missed appointments, increased inequalities and added pressure on services.
- Delivery Certainty: Without sustained investment and stronger regional influence over delivery, progress on active travel, public transport and rail risks being fragmented, uncertain and slower than region requires.
Our manifesto priorities
In response to these challenges, our key priorities for the next Scottish Government include:
- Investment in safe, resilient roads and bridges
- Improving access to healthcare through transport
- Supporting reliable rural and community bus services
- Fast‑tracking rail investment and station accessibility
- A commitment to long‑term funding for active travel
- Support for freight, logistics and grid upgrades for energy transition
- Backing Aberdeen Rapid Transit for delivery
- Strengthening regional decision‑making and delivery.
The full asks are set out in our new document, ‘Transport Priorities for the North East of Scotland’.
Councillor Michael Hutchison, Chair of Nestrans, said, “This is about whether people can reach a hospital appointment, or have attractive and reliable options to travel beyond the car. It’s about ensuring people feel safe and supported to walk or cycle, and if they can rely on our roads and rail to stand up to extreme weather and connect with where they need to go. Everyday journeys have big impacts on our lives. This document sets out a clear and practical starting point to build discussions with the next Scottish Government, to secure what our region needs to thrive.”
Councillor Alan Turner, Vice Chair of Nestrans added, “Businesses across the North East need transport networks which include options for low carbon travel, enable resilient supply chains, allow people to connect to jobs and opportunities. Long term investment, delivery certainty and regional empowerment are essential for supporting the growth and resilience our economy.”