The second Delivery Plan for Scotland’s National Transport Strategy has been published, setting out the actions underway for 2022 to 2023 to provide attractive, affordable, accessible and sustainable travel options.

The Strategy outlines four priorities for Scotland’s transport system: that it reduces inequalities; takes climate action; helps deliver inclusive economic growth; and improves health and wellbeing.

This Delivery Plan contains around 70 actions being carried out by the Scottish Government to address each of those priorities, including:

• Completion of the Strategic Transport Projects Review 2 (STPR2)
• The introduction of the Community Bus Fund and continued progress on a greener and more efficient public service bus fleet
• Publication of the Islands Connectivity Plan for consultation
• Engagement on; developing design standards for; and piloting the location of an active freeway network
• Public consultation on the Cycling Framework and Delivery Plan for Active Travel
• Delivery of design and assessment work on medium and long term solutions to landslip risks at the A83 Rest and Be Thankful.  We expect to announce a preferred route option for the long term solution during 2023. 

The Delivery Plan is accompanied by the Monitoring and Evaluation Baseline Report. This report outlines the indicators that will be used in monitoring and evaluating the progress of the strategy over time, while providing a detailed review of these indicators as they were in 2019, the baseline year for the strategy.

Minister for Transport, Jenny Gilruth said: “Two years since the publication of our National Transport Strategy (NTS2) and our first NTS2 Delivery Plan, we continue to make progress in delivering our priorities.

“Our updated plan, published today, continues to guide our decision making and investment priorities.

“Across the country young people can now access free public transport via the Young Persons’ Free Bus Travel Scheme and we are supporting individuals and business in making healthier and more sustainable travel choices. We are tackling head-on the role of transport within the climate emergency whilst recognising the vital role transport continues to play within our day-to-day lives – ensuring we are able to access education, work, training and social activities.

“With many households and businesses facing significant increases to the cost of living, we recognise that transport expenditure poses another – often unavoidable – expense. Our aim is to ensure access to affordable, accessible and sustainable transport across the country.

“We know that the challenges ahead are significant, and that reducing private car use and transitioning to more walking, wheeling or cycling for day-to-day journeys will pose greater challenges for some. However, our actions aim to seize on the opportunities offered as we journey to net-zero and support the necessary changes to provide for safer, healthier and more enjoyable streets, businesses, neighbourhoods and journeys.

“We continue  to work across the country to build and grow a sustainable, inclusive, safe and accessible transport system, helping to deliver a healthier, fairer and more prosperous Scotland for communities, businesses and visitors.”