Today saw the Minister for Transport, Infrastructure and Climate Change announce the outcomes of the Strategic Transport Projects Review. There was some good news for our region in this, and although not every project the Tayside & Central Scotland Transport Partnership (TACTRAN) would wish to see included was there (so far as one can see thus far - it is a huge read), the positives include park and ride for Dundee and improving the A90 around the City. I reproduce tonight's news release from TACTRAN below :The Tayside and Central Scotland Transport Partnership (TACTRAN) has welcomed today’s Government announcement of the outcome of the Strategic Transport Projects Review (STPR).
TACTRAN Chair, Councillor Fraser Macpherson, commented, "TACTRAN welcomes this statement on Scottish Government’s priorities for investing in improving Scotland’s transport infrastructure for the period beyond 2012. We are keen to work with Government and Transport Scotland to ensure that improvements to our transport systems are delivered as soon as practically possible.
TACTRAN Chair, Councillor Fraser Macpherson, commented, "TACTRAN welcomes this statement on Scottish Government’s priorities for investing in improving Scotland’s transport infrastructure for the period beyond 2012. We are keen to work with Government and Transport Scotland to ensure that improvements to our transport systems are delivered as soon as practically possible.
"Our region lies at the heart of Scotland’s strategic road and rail network and improving passenger and freight connectivity, by removing bottlenecks on our roads and improving rail and other public transport connections and capacity are key priorities of our Regional Transport Strategy.
"We will be reviewing the detailed information Government has published today. However a number of projects highlighted in the Minister’s statement, including improvements to the A90 at Dundee; improving the A9 between Dunblane and Perth and northwards to Inverness; increased capacity on the rail network with improved connections to Edinburgh, Glasgow, Aberdeen and Inverness; and the need for a Park & Ride strategy covering locations including Dundee and Bannockburn, are all identified in our own RTS."
He added, "We look forward to having further discussions with the Minister for Transport, Infrastructure and Climate Change on the priorities to be taken forward under the STPR in the New Year, and how TACTRAN can play a positive role in assisting this.
"It is clearly essential that future investment addresses the needs of all parts of Scotland, including improving connectivity and promoting more sustainable travel choices north of the Central Belt.
"Improving the efficiency and capacity of the strategic road and public transport networks within and through the TACTRAN region will benefit not only our own residents and businesses, but also those located in the north and north east of Scotland, so should be viewed as high priorities for Government.” TACTRAN Director, Eric Guthrie added “Earlier in the STPR process we indicated to Transport Scotland a range of improvements we feel should be addressed as national priorities. These included removing existing bottlenecks on the A90 at Dundee, and on other parts of the trunk road network such as at Keir Roundabout on A9/M9 south of Dunblane; safety improvements on the A9 west and north of Perth; improving road and rail access to our ports at Dundee, Montrose and Perth to encourage more sustainable movement of freight; delivering further improvements to our internal and external rail connections; and modernising and expanding the strategic transport hubs at Dundee, Perth and Stirling.
"We have recently developed and will shortly be publishing our Regional Park & Ride Strategy, which identifies proposals for introducing strategic Park & Ride sites on the approaches to Dundee and also at Bannockburn.
"We are pleased that many of these projects have been identified within today’s announcement and will want to discuss with Government how these and our other priorities, which support the National Transport Strategy, might be addressed within the framework set out by the Minister today."
He added, "We look forward to having further discussions with the Minister for Transport, Infrastructure and Climate Change on the priorities to be taken forward under the STPR in the New Year, and how TACTRAN can play a positive role in assisting this.
"It is clearly essential that future investment addresses the needs of all parts of Scotland, including improving connectivity and promoting more sustainable travel choices north of the Central Belt.
"Improving the efficiency and capacity of the strategic road and public transport networks within and through the TACTRAN region will benefit not only our own residents and businesses, but also those located in the north and north east of Scotland, so should be viewed as high priorities for Government.” TACTRAN Director, Eric Guthrie added “Earlier in the STPR process we indicated to Transport Scotland a range of improvements we feel should be addressed as national priorities. These included removing existing bottlenecks on the A90 at Dundee, and on other parts of the trunk road network such as at Keir Roundabout on A9/M9 south of Dunblane; safety improvements on the A9 west and north of Perth; improving road and rail access to our ports at Dundee, Montrose and Perth to encourage more sustainable movement of freight; delivering further improvements to our internal and external rail connections; and modernising and expanding the strategic transport hubs at Dundee, Perth and Stirling.
"We have recently developed and will shortly be publishing our Regional Park & Ride Strategy, which identifies proposals for introducing strategic Park & Ride sites on the approaches to Dundee and also at Bannockburn.
"We are pleased that many of these projects have been identified within today’s announcement and will want to discuss with Government how these and our other priorities, which support the National Transport Strategy, might be addressed within the framework set out by the Minister today."