Please select a document to download from the list below:
Current Studies:
A90(N) / A952 Ellon to Peterhead and Fraserburgh Corridor
Nestrans have appointed consultants Stantec to update the previous studies which examined the case for making improvements to the A90(N) and A952 corridors from Ellon to Peterhead and Fraserburgh.
There is a long standing and wide spread interest in seeing improvements to the A90(N) and A952 corridors amongst the communities and businesses in the area. Particular interest has previously focused on the junctions at the Toll of Birness and Cortes and the case for dualling the road north of Ellon, especially following the AWPR and Balmedie-Tipperty dualling.
Some years ago studies were undertaken to look at the arguments for improving the road corridors and the potential options which could be taken forward. However, since these studies were completed, there have been wider changes which have impacted travel in the area.
A review and update of these studies has now been completed and included:
- a desktop review of wider policy and existing data
- traffic surveys to examine behaviour and volumes of traffic on the network
- stakeholder engagement with selected stakeholders.
You can now view the outcomes of the evidence review here:
- Appraisal Evidence Review – Executive Summary
- Appraisal Evidence Review – Full Report
- Appraisal Evidence Review – Traffic Surveys (Appendix A)
- Appraisal Evidence Review – Baseline Report
Aberdeen to Laurencekirk Corridor multi modal study
Nestrans, in partnership with Aberdeen City and Aberdeenshire Council, and with funding support from Transport Scotland from the Local Rail Development Fund are conducting a multi-modal study along the strategic transport corridor between Aberdeen and Laurencekirk. The principal objective of the study is to confirm current and future strategic accessibility problems and opportunities along the corridor, and then to identify and appraise alternative options for achieving an increased public transport and sustainable mode share for trips along the corridor, particularly peak period commuting.
This will be undertaken by means of a focussed, proportionate and pragmatic Scottish Transport Appraisal Guidance (STAG) appraisal, building on an existing body of work undertaken by Nestrans and others. Previous work has indicated the potential contribution of new local rail stations situated on the existing rail line, the opportunity for which has increased with the separation of local and inter-city services on the corridor. Alongside other options, these should form part of the study considerations.
Public consultation as part of the Case for Change of this study was undertaken in autumn 2021. A copy of the results of the consultation and the Case for Change report is available below.
Aberdeen to Laurencekirk Consultation Report_v2
Revised Laurencekirk to Aberdeen Multi modal Corridor Study, Case for Change 2023
Insch Station Accessibility Study
A study was undertaken in 2019 for improving access at Insch station. AECOM were appointed to undertake a feasibility study, which included consultation with residents, local MPs, MSPs, Councillors, access and disability groups and the local Community Council. This was a result of local concerns about accessibility to Insch Railway station and in particular platform 1, which is only accessible by a footbridge with stairs. The project was funded by Nestrans and the Local Rail Development Fund.
Read the full Initial Appraisal: Case for Change Report
Improving Accessibility at Insch Station – Preliminary Appraisal Report
Footpath through field and along the south side of B9002
Insch – Detailed Appraisal Report Aug 2021
Insch Study Executive Summary Aug 2021
Completed Studies
Reducing Car-km and Carbon Emissions: Options for the Nestrans Region
Nestrans, in collaboration with Aberdeen City Council and Aberdeenshire Council, comissioned this report to provide regional partners with insights on potential appropriate car km reduction targets for the North East of Scotland.
Wellington Road Multi Modal Transport Study
STAG Preliminary Options Appraisal Report (STAG Part 1)
STAG Detailed Options Appraisal Report (STAG Part2):
Detailed Appraisal – Executive Summary
Details Appraisal Final Appendices
Cumulative Transport Appraisal
In August 2018, the Strategic Development Planning Authority (SDPA) agreed that the Proposed Aberdeen City & Shire Strategic Development Plan (SDP) represented the final settled view of recommended development content for the City Region.
As part of the Plan process SYSTRA was commissioned to identify the cumulative transport impacts resulting from the delivery of the SDP, and reported the outcomes through a ‘Cumulative Transport Appraisal’ (CTA) in August 2018, prior to the publication of the Proposed SDP. Following this study, supplementary appraisal was undertaken to consider amendments to the level of development content contained in the final Proposed SDP, and critically, to understand how a range of transport intervention proposals would mitigate predicted impacts to facilitate the delivery of the Proposed Plan.
Cumulative Transport Appraisal: Option Testing
Cumulative Transport Appraisal: Appendix A
Roads Hierarchy
Aberdeen City Council (ACC), along with Nestrans, Aberdeenshire Council and the Strategic Development Planning Authority (SDPA), as regional partners, wish to take advantage of the current investment in transport infrastructure in the City Region to facilitate the implementation of the City Centre Masterplan.
The partners seek to update the city’s roads hierarchy to provide a system that reflects the new role of the city centre as a destination and makes the most effective use of the Aberdeen Western Peripheral Route (AWPR) for distributing traffic around the city to the most appropriate radial route to reduce the extent of cross-city traffic movements.
AECOM was commissioned by Nestrans and ACC in summer 2018 to develop options for this updated roads hierarchy and to identify possible levels of intervention that could be implemented to support the delivery of the updated hierarchy.
North East Scotland Roads Hierarchy Study
Fraserburgh and Peterhead to Aberdeen Strategic Transport Study
In November 2014 Nestrans, the north-east Scotland regional transport partnership, appointed a collaboration of three companies, SIAS, Peter Brett Associates and Natural Capital, to undertake the Fraserburgh and Peterhead to Aberdeen Strategic Transport Study. The purpose of the study is to identify and examine the options for improving strategic transport connections between Fraserburgh, Peterhead and Aberdeen incorporating the Energetica corridor and will cover all modes of transport including rail, bus, road and active travel connections.
Funding was provided by Nestrans and Transport Scotland. The study is being overseen by a client group consisting of Nestrans, Transport Scotland, Aberdeen City and Aberdeenshire Councils and is being undertaken in line with Scottish Transport Appraisal Guidance (STAG) and will include consultation with stakeholders, businesses and communities; development and consideration of the objectives for the corridor; and consideration of options across all modes for achieving the objectives set.
The STAG Part 1 appraisal was reported to Nestrans Board in April 2016, following which further consultations were held with bus and rail operators, local authorities and Transport Scotland. In September 2016, the Nestrans Board agreed to undertake further assessment on the costs and benefits and to develop further the main options, including reopening the former railway line between Dyce and Ellon (including consideration of the feasibility of a “Parkway” railhead adjacent to the A90 beyond Ellon) and a roads option with an indicative package containing sections of daulling, junction improvements and safety enhancements on the corridor.
AC Members Briefing Presentation
Note of discussion at AC Members Briefing
Stage 1 Consultation Material (26 Oct – 15 Dec)
Stag Part 1 plus Road Study: Full Report , Summary , Infographic and Member’s Briefing Presentation
Stag Part 1 plus Ellon Rail Study: Full Report , Summary , Infographic and Member’s Briefing Presentation
FPASTS Extra: Aberdeen North West Stations Review
Nestrans – Ellon Surveys Report – 22 -Sep-21
Access to Laurencekirk STAG study 2015
Access to Laurencekirk STAG report
Locking in the benefits of the AWPR 2012
Anderson Drive (Gt Western Rd and Westburn Road) Locking in the Benefits Study 2012
A90 (T) Laurencekirk Junctions 2012
A90(T) Laurencekirk Junctions, Oct 2012
Bridge of Dee Short Term Slip Lane 2011
Final report with Modelling Results of Short Term Slip Lane Options at Bridge of Dee
Local Development Plan Cumulative Impact Assessment 2010
LDP Cumulative Impact Assessment
HOV / LV Study 2009
Final HOV / LV Lane Feasibility Study
Queens Cross Study 2009
Draft Queens Cross Option Appraisal
Access from the south 2008
A study completed in May 2008 by SIAS Ltd on behalf of Aberdeen City Council, Aberdeenshire Council and Nestrans, developing options to improve traffic flows on the southern approaches to Aberdeen City and identify an appropriate location for a park and ride site in transport terms.
Access from the south 2008 – Appendix A
Access from the south 2008 – Appendix B
Access from the south 2008 – Appendix C
Access from the south 2008 – Appendix D
Access from the south 2008 – Appendix E
Access from the south 2008 – Appendix F
Haudagain STAG 2008
A90(T)/A96(T) Haudagain Improvement – STAG Report, July 2008
Haudagain STAG 2008 – Appendix A
Haudagain STAG 2008 – Appendix B
Haudagain STAG 2008 – Appendix C
Haudagain STAG 2008 – Appendix D
Haudagain STAG 2008 – Appendix E
Haudagain STAG 2008 – Appendix F
Haudagain STAG 2008 – Appendix G
Haudagain STAG 2008 – Appendix H
Haudagain STAG 2008 – Appendix I
Dyce Drive/Argyll Road study 2008
This report is the culmination of a study undertaken by SIAS Ltd on behalf of Aberdeen City Council, BAA Aberdeen and Nestrans. The study focuses on access to Aberdeen Airport in particular, and the Dyce Drive area from Kirkhill up to and including the A96(T). This study follows on from various pieces of work previously undertaken by BAA Aberdeen in preparing a surface access strategy for Aberdeen Airport.
Dyce Drive/Argyll Road Study – September 2008