Scotland’s Fourth National Transport Strategy Delivery Plan has been published, alongside the first three-yearly National Transport Strategy Monitoring and Evaluation Report.

The fourth Delivery Plan for 2024-25 sets out the policies that will be taken forward to deliver against the NTS priorities and highlights what has been done from the previous year. It highlights actions the Scottish Government has taken and will take to support the delivery of a sustainable, inclusive, safe and accessible transport system.

Among the things the statement trumpets are:

• Since January 2022, over 176 million journeys have now been made by young people using free bus passes and more than 772,000 cardholders have now signed up.
• This year also saw the reopening of Levenmouth railway, at an investment level of £116 million, with two fully accessible stations at Cameron Bridge and in Leven, and passenger services commencing on the 2 June 2024. 
• Since 1 June 2024, all four of Scotland’s largest cities have been fully enforcing Low Emission Zones (LEZs), bringing benefits for cleaner air and public health
• The construction contract for the A9 Dualling: Tomatin to Moy project was awarded in July 2024; we have completed Phase 1 of the medium-term solution improvements at the Rest and Be Thankful on the A83 and awarded a contract for the long-term solution ground investigation site works; and we have published the outcome of the A96 Corridor Review, including the climate compatibility assessment and other statutory assessments, for consultation.
• We have seen significant transformational infrastructure delivered this year. For example, Glasgow’s South City Way, which links the South Side and the City Centre; the extension of the National Cycle Network at Fairlie in North Ayrshire; and a new walking, wheeling and cycling route between Alva and Menstrie in Clackmannanshire.

Cabinet Secretary for Transport, Fiona Hyslop said: “Much has happened since the publication of the third National Transport Strategy Delivery Plan in December 2023 and I am pleased that we are able to publish the fourth iteration, alongside the first Monitoring and Evaluation report. 

“The four priorities that underpin the Strategy remain the same and they continue to focus our decision making and investment priorities. The annual Delivery Plan ensures we are delivering our vision of creating a more sustainable, inclusive, safe and accessible transport system for the people of Scotland. 

“In addition to the publication of this Delivery Plan, we are publishing the first Monitoring and Evaluation report, which evaluates the progress of the Strategy, the challenges we have faced within this time and our delivered outcomes. The Delivery Plan highlights some of the key projects and actions taken by this Government to keep transport moving, responding to the cost crisis, climate emergency and the critical ongoing partnership working to make our transport system greener, fairer, healthier and the bedrock of inclusive economic growth.”

Read the fourth annual Delivery Plan and the Monitoring and Evaluation Report.

(Picture – report front page, Transport Scotland)