Infrastructure Investment Plan 2021-22 to 2025-26: programme pipeline update - March 2023

Sector: Transport

Programme name: A9 Dual carriageway

Programme description: Phased improvements to the existing A9 Perth to Inverness.

Estimated total investment: £3 billion (at 2008 prices).

How is programme being funded: First three phases of programme capital funded. A range of financing options to be considered during subsequent stages of design and assessment.

Programme delivery timetable: Preparatory and construction work underway with phased programme of schemes as they emerge from statutory process. A market consultation exercise was undertaken in 2021 and 2022 to inform assessment of procurement options for the remaining sections when the statutory process is complete. Determination of the optimal procurement option is a complex exercise which is considering a pipeline of work in a form that can be delivered by the industry, supports the economic recovery post COVID-19 and minimises disruption to users of this lifeline route. In light of recent fluctuations in the economic environment, this work will also assess the impact of market changes on the potential procurement approaches available. Completion of this assessment will inform decision making on the procurement approach for the remaining schemes. It is expected that an update on the timescale to completion will be provided to Parliament in autumn 2023.

Latest programme progress: Design is nearing completion (for eight of nine sections), delivery is underway and we are finalising the assessment of options to determine the most efficient delivery model for the remainder of the programme. Road users are already benefiting from the dualled sections between Kincraig and Dalraddy and Luncarty and the Pass of Birnam, which opened in September 2017 and August 2021 respectively The next section to be constructed is between Tomatin and Moy, which is shortly to commence a new procurement in spring 2023 with the aim of achieving a contract award before the end of 2023.

The statutory process is well underway for seven of the remaining eight schemes. Ministerial consent to publish Made Orders has been received for all seven of these schemes with four published, namely: Glen Garry to Dalwhinnie, Dalwhinnie to Crubenmore, Tay Crossing to Ballinluig and Pitlochry to Killiecrankie. Made Orders for the other three schemes with Ministerial consent are scheduled to be published in the coming months. This means that 92% of the programme has Ministerial decisions to make Orders and complete the statutory process.

The only section not to have started the statutory process is Pass of Birnam to Tay Crossing, which was subject to a Co-creative Process and where work is currently underway to identify the preferred route in the coming months.

Contribution to economic development: It is designed to deliver economic growth through improved road safety and reliable and quicker journey times, as well as better links to pedestrian, cycling and public transport facilities.

Contact for public enquiries: email: A9Dualling@transport.gov.scot

Programme name: A96 Dual carriageway

Programme description: Phased improvements to the A96 from Inverness to Aberdeen.

Estimated total investment: £3 billion.

How is programme being funded: A range of financing options to be considered during subsequent stages of design and assessment.

Programme delivery timetable: The Scottish Government is committed to improving the A96 between Inverness and Aberdeen and will take forward a transport enhancements programme on the corridor. Delivery of any section of the dualling programme can only commence if it is approved under the relevant statutory procedures and thereafter a timetable for its progress can be set.

Latest programme progress: As part of the Co-operation Agreement with the Scottish Green Party, the Scottish Government will take forward a transport enhancements programme on the corridor that improves connectivity between surrounding towns, tackles congestion and addresses safety and environmental issues. The current plan is to fully dual the A96 route between Inverness and Aberdeen. However, we are conducting a transparent, evidence-based review of the programme which is well underway.

The Public Consultation and Initial Appraisal reports on the Corridor Review were published on 22 December 2022. 16 retained options are now being taken forward through the next stages of the detailed appraisal process, with outcomes expected to be announced alongside a Climate Compatibility Assessment in the first half of 2023 for final public consultation, before a final decision can be reached.

Dualling from Inverness to Nairn as well as a bypass of Nairn is included in the transport enhancement programme, as set out in the Co-operation Agreement and we continue to progress the preparation stages of the scheme with a view to completing the statutory process. The A96 Dualling Inverness to Nairn (including Nairn Bypass) scheme, which runs from Inverness to Hardmuir is separate from the wider ongoing A96 review process. Delivery of the scheme itself can only commence if approved under the relevant statutory procedures and thereafter a timetable for progress can be set in line with available budgets.

Contribution to economic development: Economic growth through reduced journey times, improved journey time reliability, improved road safety and opportunities for active travel and public transport.

Contact for public enquiries: email: A96Dualling@transport.gov.scot

Programme name: A82 Tarbet to Inverarnan

Programme description: Improvements to the 17 km route between Tarbet and Inverarnan adjacent to the west bank of Loch Lomond.

Estimated total investment: £250 million - £500 million.

How is programme being funded: Capital funded

Programme delivery timetable: Delivery of the scheme can only commence when it is approved under the statutory procedures and thereafter a timetable for construction can be set.

Latest programme progress: Detailed development and assessment of the preferred option for the A82 between Tarbet to Inverarnan scheme is being informed by an enhanced understanding of the specific complexities of improving this iconic route. Detailed consideration of mitigating disruption to all road users during construction is being informed through on-going engagement with key stakeholders.

Contribution to economic development: Economic growth through improved road safety, increased opportunities for active travel and public transport, and improved journey time reliability.

Contact for public enquiries: email: A82upgrade@jacobs.com

Programme name: Glasgow Subway Modernisation

Programme description: Major modernisation includes a smartcard ticketing system linked to wider integrated ticketing; new rolling stock and signalling; refurbished stations with improved accessibility including replacing escalators.

Estimated total investment: Scottish Government contribution of up to £246 million to Strathclyde Partnership for Transport (SPT) towards estimated total project cost £287.5 million.

How is programme being funded: Grant funding contribution up to period 2024-25.

Programme delivery timetable: Modernisation will support the future of the Subway, linking it to other transport modes across the City of Glasgow, including the Interchanges at Govan and Partick and contribute to the regeneration of the City.

Latest programme progress: Glasgow Subway modernisation continues at a rapid pace. SPT have completed all 15 of their stations including 2 city centre flagship stations. SPT has taken delivery of a number of new trains and is conducting off-line testing on a test track in Glasgow. A £16 million programme of tunnel improvements is now complete, this essential work is vital before introducing the new trains on the system. With new train testing underway off-site on train testing track, this next milestone for modernisation will be moving the new trains into the system during non-passenger service at night for 'online' testing. The programme remains on course to see the new trains introduced into the Subway system this year.

Contribution to economic development: Economic growth through improved accessibility, integration of public transport and improved journey time reliability.

Contact for public enquiries: email: enquiry@spt.co.uk

Programme name: Active Freeways

Programme description: High quality arterial active travel, providing sustainable transport infrastructure between settlements and major trip attractors.

Estimated total investment: £50 million.

How is programme being funded: The commitment is to allocate 10% of the transport budget (or £352 million) per annum towards Active Travel by the end of this parliamentary session.

Programme delivery timetable: Targeting delivery of projects in 2025-26.

Latest programme progress: To develop the design of active freeways as recommended in STPR2 (Strategic Transport Projects Review 2), Transport Scotland is currently working with active travel delivery partners to transform the way in which we collectively deliver active travel. This will make best use of our collective capabilities to bring forward a programme of schemes, including Active Freeways, that will help realise the modal shift and step change required in travel behaviours that was signposted by the second National Transport Strategy.

Contribution to economic development: Development of active freeways on radial routes and other high-demand corridors in Scotland's large urban areas, with priority given initially to the larger cities. Comprehensive networks of active freeways would connect outlying neighbourhoods, including those with poor existing links, to city centres and other important destinations. Supporting connections would allow people to readily access active freeways from their homes, schools and workplaces, and other busy locations. Active freeways would also connect to other routes to provide links to neighbouring settlements.

Contact for public enquiries: email: stpr2@transport.gov.scot

Programme name: Future Transport Fund – capital to support a range of low and zero carbon investment

Programme description: Grants and investments to support a range of low and zero carbon transport initiatives such as: electric vehicle charging and hydrogen infrastructure; fleet transformation; Innovation and Sector Transition Initiative; Freight Facilities Grant; Strategic Timber Transport Scheme.

Estimated total investment: £233 million (latest projection has been revised from £287 million following the outcome of the Targeted Review of the Capital Spending Review to 2025-2026 and the Scottish Budget for 2023-2024).

How is programme being funded: Grant funding.

Programme delivery timetable: 2021-22 to 2025-26.

Latest programme progress: Working with all Scottish local authorities to develop Electric Vehicle (EV) charging strategy and expansion plans for cars and vans that will support applications to the EV Infrastructure Fund, aiming to enable public/private investment to support the Scottish Government's vision for scaling up and commercialising investment in electric vehicle charging for cars and vans across Scotland. Utilising new evidence and data to support ongoing engagement with public bodies to deliver fleet rationalisation and decarbonisation, focusing on opportunities for collaboration we will invest to support continued decarbonisation of public body fleets this financial year.

Supporting innovation through the Zero Emission Mobility Innovation Fund, supporting manufacturing scale-up and near-to-market innovation of components, systems and zero emission vehicles in Scotland.

Investing in test equipment supporting the development and testing of zero emission vehicles, or their components and systems working in partnership with Scotland's universities and enterprise agencies to support Scotland's vehicle supply chain, including, enhancing the capabilities of the University of Strathclyde's Power Network Demonstration Centre to support the development and testing of zero emission vehicles, or their components and systems, due to become operational early in 2024.

The Strategic Timber Transport Fund (delivered primarily through the Strategic Timber Transport Scheme) will continue to operate through this financial year. The Scheme attracted 39 applications for 2023-24 and Scottish Forestry is currently allocating the available budget to the projects that deliver the most benefits. Allocations will be made to the continuing Timberlink Service and the Electric Lorry trail which will run for the next 3 years.

Contribution to economic development: Economic growth through working with the private sector to increase the scale and pace of investment in EV charging networks and the provision of infrastructure to reduce the cost and time required to develop and test of zero emission vehicles. Supporting economic opportunities in Scotland's EV charging and automotive supply chain and supporting the development of local markets for hydrogen, supporting public sector fleet decarbonisation, and leveraging Scotland's strengths in renewable energy generation and opportunities for economic growth through hydrogen supply chain development.

Contact for public enquiries: email: TSLCE.BMU@transport.gov.scot

Programme name: Bus Partnership Fund (formerly Future Transport Fund – Bus Priority Investment)

Programme description: Investment in bus priority infrastructure to tackle the negative impacts of congestion on bus services, making journey times shorter and services more reliable for passengers. Encouraging people to leave their cars at home and raise bus usage assisting in increasing equality and meeting our climate change targets.

Estimated total investment: Part of £500 million of long term investment in bus priority infrastructure.

How is programme being funded: Grant funding.

Programme delivery timetable: 2021-22 onwards.

Latest programme progress: Building on the first round in June 2021, the second round of Bus Partnership Fund (BPF) awards were made in February 2022, bringing the total Partnerships funded to eleven, covering twenty-eight local authorities across Scotland. To date, up to £26 million of initial funding has been awarded to local authorities to work in partnership with operators, to identify, develop and deliver bus priority measures.

In the short term, BPF has funded the delivery of bus priority traffic light equipment to reduce delay for buses at junctions, bus lane cameras and has made a number of temporary bus measures permanent. Around £0.2 million has been awarded to the North East Bus Alliance to deliver bus priority infrastructure on Market Street, Guild Street, and Bridge Street in Aberdeen city centre to implement bus lanes and gates which are expected to be operational by the end of summer 2023, coinciding with the completion of improvements at South College Street which is also partly funded through the BPF.

With a limited number of projects that were ready to be implemented, funding is being provided to Partnerships to identify and develop further bus priority projects. Seven strategic business cases have progressed to the outline business case stage in the Aberdeen and Glasgow City Regions. There are currently thirteen strategic business cases that have been submitted by Partnerships. These are being reviewed and where appropriate will lead to further awards in the coming months.

Contribution to economic development: The Bus Partnership Fund focusses on the evidence of how bus services will be improved by addressing congestion. The approach is also expected to leverage other bus service improvements. Together these will help reduce inequalities and take climate action through reducing private car use and increase bus patronage.

Contact for public enquiries: email: Amy.Phillips@transport.gov.scot

Programme name: Support for zero-emission bus fleet transition

Programme description: Supports the transition to zero-emission buses and considers input from the Bus Decarbonisation Taskforce.

Estimated total investment: £120 million.

How is programme being funded: Grant funding.

Programme delivery timetable: 2021-22 to 2025-26.

Latest programme progress: Launch of second round of Scottish Zero Emission Bus Challenge Fund (ScotZEB 2). ScotZEB 2 will make up to £58 million available to support bus and coach operators, Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs), as well as community, transport to health, and transport to school bus operators transition their fleets and supporting infrastructure to zero-emission alternatives. This round of subsidy seeks to make zero-emission buses the default choice for operators, with no further need for public subsidy. Opening in May 2023 and closing in September 2023, the Challenge Fund will invite collaborative bids demonstrating innovative approaches to fleet decarbonisation.

Contribution to economic development: ScotZEB 2 aims to support the pathway to zero emission buses designed by the Bus Decarbonisation Taskforce. Specifically, the Scheme is designed to support change across the market so that zero emission buses become a self-sustaining industry with new collaborative business models being adopted by bus operators and energy providers which leverage in commercial investment, drive down prices of new technology, and support the circular economy for vehicle batteries. The Scheme specifically supports SME's and those named above to develop competitive bids which will change the way the Scottish bus market operates. To date, the Scottish Government has awarded £113 million supporting the purchase of 548 new battery-electric buses. In each funding round we have been able to reduce the subsidy per bus as the market adjusts.

Contact for public enquiries: email: amber.jamieson@transport.gov.scot

Programme name: Rail Services Decarbonisation Action Plan

Programme description: Initial Decarbonisation projects subject to STPR (Strategic

Transport Projects Review) Phase 1 includes (not exhaustive) Traction Power - 6 Feeder Stations to support electrification, and Barrhead Electrification and East Kilbride Enhancements. Phase 2 is in development and will include (not exhaustive) Aberdeen to Central Belt Electrification.

Estimated total investment: £907 million (this is not the total cost of the Rail Services Decarbonisation Plan programme; it is the predicted expenditure from 2021-22 through to 2025-26).

How is programme being funded: Grant funding.

Programme delivery timetable: 2021-22 to 2028-29 for initial projects. Full programme is around 15 years.

Latest programme progress: We will progress decarbonisation of Scotland's passenger rail services for 2035, ahead of the UK's target of 2040. The order and programme of route decarbonisation will depend on business cases and available budgets. Delivery of the full programme is subject to the availability of funding. We will continue development of a rail decarbonisation strategy and delivery of our initial projects, ensuring alignment with STPR2 Phase 1, National Transport Strategy, Capital Spending Review and wider Scottish Government policy.

We have already announced the decarbonisation of the line from Glasgow to Barrhead is due for completion in December 2023. The first of our new feeder stations to support electrification and power supply resilience is due to be commissioned in spring 2023. We continue to make good progress on the development of the next phase of decarbonisation projects.

Contribution to economic development: Through investment in electrification and complementary traction systems, we will decarbonise the traction element of domestic daytime passenger rail journeys in Scotland. This also demonstrates our approach to investment in green technologies and our commitment to creating a greener, more environmentally just economy with growth in greener, more sustainable sectors.

Contact for public enquiries: email: Edward.Mchugh2@transport.gov.scot

Programme name: Little Minch Skye Triangle Infrastructure Programme

Programme description: Infrastructure improvement work at the following ports: Uig (Skye), Tarbert (Harris) and Lochmaddy (North Uist).

Estimated total investment: £108 million.

How is programme being funded: Capital funding / Grant funding.

Programme delivery timetable: Estimated completion dates:

• Tarbert: Completed
• Lochmaddy: summer 2023
• Uig: summer 2024 (marine works), summer 2024 (landside terminal building)

Latest programme progress: Tarbert – Marine works completed January 2022. Tarbert - Landside works completed in January 2023. The new pier and terminal building is in use by CalMac, including the upgraded marshalling area which has increased vehicle capacity.

Lochmaddy - Second procurement exercise completed in September 2021 with a contract award to George Leslie Ltd in February 2022. George Leslie Ltd will be responsible for completing all civil engineering works for the harbour upgrade project, including the extension and strengthening of the pier, upgraded fendering, seabed dredging land reclamation and extended marshalling and parking areas. Constructions works commenced in March 2022 and are estimated to complete in summer 2023. CalMac will continue to operate ferry services during the works.

Uig construction project - In November 2021, the Highland Council awarded RJMcleod Ltd the civil engineering contract for infrastructure improvements at the port. The works include an extended marshalling area, new berthing structure strengthening and widening, linkspan replacement, approach way repair and widening, a relocated new waiting shelter, a new terminal building (to be tendered separately and constructed during the main works), dredging and utility provision. The Marine works planned completion date is now summer 2024. This was moved from winter 2023 to accommodate the revised berth closure period. A solution was reached and agreed with project partners, local community representatives and elected officials that the berth closure period was reduced from 24 to 14 weeks, split over two periods during 2023 (16 January to 13 March 2023 and 30 October to 11 December 2023). The changes followed considerable engagement with the communities and further detailed work to understand the resilience of the continued operation of Uig and gives confidence in operation of ferry services through the busy summer period.

Contribution to economic development: The Little Minch Skye Triangle Infrastructure Programme contributes to the economic development of these island populations, communities and businesses, by ensuring that its upgraded port infrastructure supports and ensures ferry services continue to operate, thus boosting economic sustainability through tourism; for this route. (Tarbert (Harris), Lochmaddy and Uig.

Contact for public enquiries: email: caroline.connelly@transport.gov.scot

Programme name: Rail Major Project Enhancements

Programme description: Funds Pipeline of Rail Infrastructure projects to enhance

Scotland's Railway. Initial Non -Decarbonisation projects subject to STPR (Strategic

Transport Projects Review) Phase 2 alignment (not exhaustive) include Aberdeen to Central Belt (Journey Time Improvements), Access for All schemes, Far north Line,

Freight Gauging, Stations (New & Upgrades) and Levenmouth – Reconnection Project.

Estimated total investment: £406 million.

How is programme being funded: Grant funding.

Programme delivery timetable: 2026.

Latest programme progress: Work continues on the Levenmouth Reconnected Project which will deliver a double tracked railway with two new stations and active travel links by spring 2024. We continue to make good progress on our new stations. In the Borders, the new Reston station entered service in May 2022 and this will be followed by East Linton Station by the end of March 2024. The new Inverness Airport Station entered service in January 2023. Financial reviews undertaken to align project progress with budget requirements and the alignment of Rail Major Project Enhancements (non-decarb) projects continues pending the outcome of the current STPR 2 Phase 2 consultation process.

Contribution to economic development: To deliver a programme of enhancements, which can deliver improvements to journey times and increases in capacity and reliability for passenger and freight services. By implementing Access for All measures it will improve the accessibility of Scotland's railway stations.

Contact for public enquiries: email: Edward.Mchugh2@transport.gov.scot

Programme name: CMAL – Voted Loans – net vessel investment

Programme description: Provides for loans to Caledonian Maritime Assets Ltd (CMAL) for procurement of vessels. Proposals cover: Islay, Little Minch, Gourock-Dunoon/Kilcreggan, Small Vessel Replacement Programme, Oban-Craignure, Mallaig-Lochboisdale, Northern Isles freighters.

Estimated total investment: £396 million (£281 million plus £115 million for Little Minch).

How is programme being funded: Voted loans.

Programme delivery timetable: 2021-22 to 2025-26.

Latest programme progress: Engagement between Transport Scotland and CMAL is ongoing via working groups, including CalMac and Serco NorthLink as ferry operators.

CMAL confirmed the purchase of MV Utne (now MV Loch Frisa) in October 2021. The vessel underwent modification and improvements works and entered service on the Craignure-Oban route in summer 2022.

CMAL awarded contracts for two new major vessels for Islay routes in March 2022. The first vessel is expected to be delivered by October 2024 and will enter service following sea trials and crew familiarisation. The second vessel will follow in early 2025.

Design consultants have been appointed to progress the Small Vessel Replacement Programme. This will result in up to 7 new vessels serving communities across Scotland within the next five years.

Consideration continues to be given to bringing additional vessels in to the CMAL fleet for deployment on the Hebrides ferry service (CHFS) and Northern Isles ferry service (NIFS) networks through potential purchase of second-hand vessels.

Contribution to economic development: Delivery of new and additional vessels contributes to the economic development of our island and remote communities and businesses through improved ferry services.

Contact for public enquiries: email: david.torrance@transport.gov.scot

Programme name: Piers and Harbours Grants

Programme description: Provides grants to fund port operators (other than local authorities) for improvement to piers and harbours, particularly to support ferry services to and from Scotland's islands. Includes project such as Ardrossan, Little Minch (Skye Triangle) and Gourock Harbour, proposed projects at Lochboisdale, Armadale and Kennacraig, and an Oban Masterplan.

Estimated total investment: £306 million (this figure includes Little Minch (Skye Triangle) as stated above).

How is programme being funded: Capital funding / Grant funding as per GBER Article 56(b) regulations which dictate what funding intervention rate is applied.

Programme delivery timetable: 2021-22 to 2025-26.

Latest programme progress: Engagement between Transport Scotland and projects leads, such as Peel Ports / North Ayrshire Council and CMAL is ongoing via working groups, including CalMac as ferry operator.

Ardrossan – work continues on the marine and landside infrastructure including the Passenger Access System (PAS) and Liquefied natural gas (LNG) work-streams. Discussions on commercial arrangements between Transport Scotland and Peel Ports Group continue.

Troon – fender works have been completed including a new suspended concrete deck to support the ferry service when it operates temporarily out of the port during the Ardrossan construction period, completed in March 2022. The majority of the landside works have now been completed, including the temporary terminal building. Preparatory drainage works are required and engagement continues with SEPA (Scottish Environment Protection Agency). The site is expected to be fully operational by June 2023.

Gourock - project is in the design and planning stage being developed by CMAL following the public consultation event in October 2021. Engagement with communities will follow once the project progresses. Other projects are at early stages of development.

Contribution to economic development: Upgrades made possible by grant funding to port and harbours infrastructure contributes to the economic development of island communities and communities and businesses, by ensuring that the port infrastructure supports economic growth and ensures ferry services continue to operate.

Contact for public enquiries: email: david.torrance@transport.gov.scot

Programme name: Road Adaptations Fund

Programme description: Trunk Road Adaptation Schemes to address the impacts of climate change, improve network efficiency, safety and resilience contributing to a low carbon economy.

mated total investment: £60 million.

How is programme being funded: Capital funded.

Programme delivery timetable: 2022-23 to 2025-26.

Latest programme progress: Budget has been allocated from 2023-24 and will be utilised accordingly. A programme of projects across Scotland has been commenced with several schemes due to be delivered this financial year.

Contribution to economic development: Fund enables significant value multidisciplinary schemes to be progressed ranging from specific roads schemes to joint schemes that interface with rail, sea and active travel. Schemes will improve connectivity, journey time reliability and safety of the road network, which includes a number of geotechnical improvements in complex locations across the north of Scotland.

The fund will contribute to a number of high-profile schemes across Scotland including; concluding short term mitigation works at A83 Rest and Be Thankful (summer 2023), new Lhanbryde Cycleway, as well as A893 Ullapool Harbour and Shore Street upgrades (summer 2023). In addition, there are planned non-motorised unit improvements on A9 Raigmore Interchange, working with Highland Council. These schemes will provide safety and active travel improvements.

As well as large notable projects the fund also allows smaller improvements to be made to the network. These often provide significant betterment to existing outdated provisions such as linking cycle paths / footways, review of Vehicle Restraint Systems, and layby upgrading/provision. This contributes to reliability and road safety for transport of goods, general travel and connectivity across Scotland.

Contact for public enquiries: email: George.fiddes@transport.gov.scot