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QUESTION 10: To what extent do you agree or disagree that the recommendations under this theme will contribute to Improving Active Travel Infrastructure?
target cost range identified by the RIA Electrification Cost Challenge. 10 This report concludes that through having a rolling programme of electrification Scotland is benefitting from learning and experience being passed from one project to the next. Suppliers stand ready to deliver, a continued rolling programme which will unleash the full potential of the supply sector in the delivery of NTS2.
33.5. Here too, innovation will be critical to help the rail industry decarbonise. R&D and innovation should be at the heart of Scottish rail strategy. This should extend to all forms of decarbonisation and RIA Scotland members have significant knowledge of the techniques for reducing operational and embedded carbon as well as traction carbon.
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33.6. STPR2 reflects NTS2’s Sustainable Investment and Travel Hierarchies. RIA Scotland recognises the benefits of extending asset life, as this can deliver financial and environmental sustainability, and RIA members have a range of experiences in delivering asset sustainability. However, it is also important to remember that there are trade-offs between extending asset life and building new assets. In certain instances, it might not be appropriate to extend asset life, as a new asset may require less costly maintenance over time and will ultimately deliver greater financial sustainability and ensure higher standards of safety and service. Here, consultation and open communication with asset owners and suppliers can help identify how to get this whole life balance right.
34. RIA Recommendation 5 (Decarbonising Transport): As part of the wider decarbonisation of Scotland, continue to electrify the network through the rolling programme for electrification and begin fleet orders of low carbon rolling stock, including battery and hydrogen trains. Support R&D and innovation for low carbon solutions.
INCREASING SAFETY AND RESILLIENCE ON THE STRATEGIC TRANSPORT NETWORK
35. QUESTION 26: To what extent do you agree or disagree that the recommendations under this theme will contribute to Increasing Safety and Resilience on the Strategic Transport Network?
35.1.
Recommendations (29-38): Strongly Agree Agree Neither Agree Nor Disagree Disagree Strongly Disagree
29. Access to Argyll A83 30. Trunk road and motorway safety improvements 31. Trunk road and motorway network renewal for reliability, resilience and safety Don’t Know / No Opinion X X
X
10
https://www.riagb.org.uk/RIA/Newsroom/Publications%20Folder/Electrification_Cost_Challenge_Report.aspx
32. Trunk road and motorway network renewal for reliability, resilience and safety 33, 34, 35 Enhancing Intelligent Transport Systems 36. Strategy for improving rest and welfare facilities for hauliers 37. Improving active travel on trunk roads through communities 38. Speed management plan X
X
X
X
X
36. QUESTION 27: Which of these recommendations would you prioritise to contribute to Increasing Safety and Resilience on the Strategic Transport Network?
36.1.
Recommendations (2938): High priority Medium priority Low priority
29. Access to Argyll A83 30. Trunk road and motorway safety improvements 31. Trunk road and motorway network renewal for reliability, resilience and safety 32. Trunk road and motorway network renewal for reliability, resilience and safety 33, 34, 35 Enhancing Intelligent Transport Systems 36. Strategy for improving rest and welfare facilities for hauliers 37. Improving active travel on trunk roads through communities 38. Speed management plan Do not support this recommendation Don’t Know / No Opinion X X
X
X
X
X
X
X
37. QUESTION 28: Do the recommendations under this theme address the transport needs of your local or regional area or the people your organisation represents?
37.1. Yes ☐ No ☐ Don’t Know / No Opinion ☐
38. QUESTION 29: Please provide any additional comments you have on the theme Increasing Safety and Resilience on the Strategic Network and the recommendations within it.
39. Safety and resilience should be considered as a core aspect of all of the activities of Scotland’s Railway and its supply chain.
39.1. RIA Recommendation 6 (Increasing Safety and Resilience on the Strategic Transport Network): Whilst RIA Scotland welcomes the fact that STPR2 is considering safety and resilience as a key transport theme, the STPR2 recommendations should specifically consider safety and resilience for rail to a greater extent.
STRENGHTENING STRATEGIC CONNECTIONS
40. QUESTION 30: To what extent do you agree or disagree that the recommendations under this theme contribute to Strengthening Strategic Connections?
40.1.
Recommendations (39-45): Strongly Agree Agree Neither Agree Nor Disagree Disagree Strongly Disagree
39. Sustainable access to Grangemouth Investment Zone 40. Access to Stranraer and ports at Cairnryan 41. Potential fixed links in Outer Hebrides and Mull 42. Investment in port infrastructure 43. Major station masterplans 44. Rail freight terminals X 45. High speed and cross Border rail enhancements X X Don’t Know / No Opinion X
X
X
X
41. QUESTION 31: Which of these recommendations would you prioritise to contribute to Strengthening Strategic Connections?
41.1.
Recommendations (3945): High priority Medium priority Low priority Do not support this recommendation
39. Sustainable access to Grangemouth Investment Zone 40. Access to Stranraer and ports at Cairnryan 41. Potential fixed links in Outer Hebrides and Mull 42. Investment in port infrastructure 43. Major station masterplans 44. Rail freight terminals X 45. High speed and cross Border rail enhancements X X Don’t Know / No Opinion X
X
X
X
42. QUESTION 32: Do the recommendations under this theme address the transport needs of your local or regional area or the people your organisation represents?
42.1. Yes ☐ No ☐ Don’t Know / No Opinion ☐
43. QUESTION 33: Please provide any additional comments you have on the theme Strengthening Strategic Connections and the recommendations within it.
43.1. We would propose that the strategy places more emphasis on connectivity driving modal shift to public transport as a means of improving social mobility and reducing carbon emissions.
43.2. RIA Scotland welcomes the recognition of the importance of rail freight terminals. RIA Scotland also supports ambitions to grow rail freight, which provides a wide range of benefits. A 2021 report produced by Deloitte, and commissioned by the Rail Delivery Group, 11 finds that rail freight delivers $105m in benefits to the Scottish economy each year. Out of this, £45m are benefits to customers including cost savings, time savings, and reliability benefits. The remaining benefits of £60m are social benefits including congestion relief, environmental benefits, and improved safety. Rail freight is highly efficient, with each freight train removes up to 76 lorries from the roads.
43.3. RIA Scotland supports the best and most efficient use of the whole transport system. The Union Connectivity Review12 recommendation that there should be a UK strategic transport
11 https://www.raildeliverygroup.com/media-centre-docman/12807-2021-04-role-and-value-of-railfreight/file.html
12
https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/1036027 /union-connectivity-review-final-report.pdf
network (UKNET) may present opportunities to ensure effective rail connectivity to ports and airports for people and freight.
43.4. The recommendation that Transport Scotland continues to work closely with the UK government on high speed and cross border rail enhancements is also welcome. There may be opportunities to enhance the services provided by cross-border operators within Scotland to release ScotRail resources to improve connectivity, for example, to ferry services.
43.5. The summary report includes a proposal for Transport Scotland and industry partners to carry out an updated market study for rail freight growth in Scotland (linked to the 2019 industry growth plan) including a review of rail freight terminals and hubs to confirm how to meet longterm mode shift requirements. As covered above, expanded rail freight capacity has the potential to bring a variety of benefits to Scotland. The ambitions to grow rail freight is to be welcomed and RIA Scotland would be available to offer any support to the development of the market study by bringing in RIA Members and their expertise.
43.6. We have not ranked all recommendations as we believe it is the views of users that should be ranked rather than those of a Trade Association. See 4.6 above.
44. RIA Recommendation 7 (Strengthening Strategic Connections): Place a greater emphasis on connectivity driving modal shift to public transport as a means of delivering social, economic, and environmental benefits.
STPR2 RECOMMENDATIONS AND OTHER SCOTTISH GOVERNMENT POLICY
45. QUESTION 34: Prior to this consultation were you aware of the list of Scottish Government below, which STPR2 aligns with and supports?
45.1.
Take action against climate change Decarbonising transport Reducing car use Encouraging greater walking, wheeling and cycling Addressing inequalities, such as: • Child poverty • Affordability of transport • Access to transport Transport as an enabler of inclusive economic growth Providing a safe transport system Providing a reliable and resilient transport system Yes No Don’t Know / No opinion
X X X X
X X X X X X
46. QUESTION 35: Prior to this consultation were you aware of the Scottish Government policy documents to which STPR2 aligns with and supports?
46.1.
National Transport Strategy 2 (NTS2) National Planning Framework (NPF4) Climate Change Plan Update & Route Map Infrastructure Investment Plan Just Transition Cleaner Air for Scotland 2 & Delivery Plan National Performance Framework Yes No Don’t Know / No opinion
X X X X X X X
47. QUESTION 36: To what extent do you agree or disagree that the STPR2 recommendations reflect and will contribute to the aims of government policy?
47.1. RIA Scotland supports Scottish Government ambitions to decarbonise its rail network by 2035 and to reach net zero by 2045. However, to achieve this, continued investment in sustainable rail travel will be vital. The commitment to a rolling programme of electrification needs to continue so that Scotland can be a case study for effective decarbonisation of the rail network.
47.2. The supply chain has a lot to offer in developing efficient and deliverable policy and programmes and RIA Scotland stands ready to engage in a constructive and collaborative dialogue.
47.3. ☐ Strongly agree ☐ Agree ☐ Neither agree nor disagree ☐ Disagree ☐ Strongly Disagree ☐ Don’t Know / No Opinion
47.4. RIA Recommendation 8 (STPR2 Recommendations and Other Scottish Government Policy): RIA Scotland supports Scottish Government ambitions to decarbonise its rail network by 2035 and to reach net zero by 2045. However, to achieve this, continued investment in sustainable rail travel will be vital. The commitment to a rolling programme of electrification needs to continue so that Scotland can be a case study for effective decarbonisation of the rail network and support modal shift.
48. QUESTION 37: Please provide any additional comments you have on the STPR2 recommendations’ contribution to Government policy?
48.1. The rail network in Scotland provides vital connectivity to regions and communities in every corner of the country, as well as providing links to other areas of the UK. As an industry, it also plays an important economic role for the country. The 2021 report ‘The Economic Contribution of UK Rail’ by Oxford Economics found that in Scotland, rail contributes £3.2 bn Gross Value Added to the economy, 56,100 jobs, and £1bn in tax revenue.
48.2. In 2022, Scotland finds itself in a period of transition with the transfer of ScotRail to public ownership, the setting of objectives for CP7 (2024-2029) and longer-term transport investment through the second National Transport Strategy. RIA Scotland welcomes the opportunity to bring the voice of the supply chain to these developments.
48.3. RIA Scotland has previously set out five recommendations for Scotland, to help the industry drive sustainable and inclusive economic growth for communities across the country:
• Recommendation 1: Make the case for rail travel in the long-term, encouraging passengers back and a greater role for freight. Rail travel and public transport can be a catalyst for the economic recovery and provides vital links to connect communities and reduce social exclusion right across the country. Looking at transport schemes holistically across modes, there is an opportunity to link connectivity challenges with passenger and freight opportunities to maximise social value and return on investment. • Recommendation 2: Continue to decarbonise the rail industry through electrification
and fleet orders of low carbon rolling stock, in order to reach Scotland’s 2035
decarbonisation target. If Scotland is to decarbonise its rail network by 2035 and reach net zero by 2045, continued investment in sustainable rail travel will be vital. Whilst rail is already a very low carbon mode of transport – contributing just 2% of UK transport emissions – further decarbonisation is required. • Recommendation 3: Continue to provide a visible and consistent pipeline of work for the rail industry, particularly as preparations for Control Period 7 are made. For the current funding period, CP6, the Scottish Government did well to set out the key outputs and work it expected to be delivered, and as the rail sector approaches the next funding period, CP7, in 2024, it should similarly highlight a clear plan for the supply chain, that delivers improvements consistently over the five years. RIA urges the role of the rail supply industry, its capabilities and potential, to be considered as CP7 is planned. • Recommendation 4: Support the rail industry to become more sustainable, increase skills and improve the diversity of its workforce. There is an immediate opportunity –and need – to address the skills gap by recruiting and mentoring a new generation of skilled staff. Moving forward, Scotland’s rail sector will require significant data and digital skills. Signalling renewals will need to continue apace and Scotland should ensure its engineering skills and capabilities are ready for this new technology which provides the opportunity for a pipeline of future work for the UK industry that Scottish suppliers will want to be able to access. RIA strongly supports the current Scottish Rail Cluster
Builder initiative and wants to see sustained activity of this type, in order to support a growing rail industry. RIA also urges that the industry works with the Scottish
Government to improve the diversity of its leadership and workforce. RIA welcomes
ScotRail signing up to the RIA – Women in Rail Equality, Diversity & Inclusion Charter and looks forward to working more closely to boost diversity in the rail sector.
• Recommendation 5: Ensure R&D and innovation as well as digital technology are at the heart of the government’s plans for the future of the rail industry in Scotland.
Innovation will be critical to help the rail industry and transport as a whole to be more efficient, decarbonise and improve the passenger experience. RIA would like to see the
Scottish Government play an even more active role in supporting rail research and development.
STRATEGIC ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT (SEA) & OTHER IMPACT ASSESSMENTS
49. QUESTION 38: To what extent do you agree or disagree with the overall findings of the SEA?
49.1. ☐ Strongly agree ☐ Agree ☐ Neither agree nor disagree ☐ Disagree ☐ Strongly Disagree ☐ Don’t Know / No Opinion
50. QUESTION 39: The SEA has reviewed plans, policies and programmes relevant to STPR2. Are there any others that should be considered?
51. QUESTION 40: The SEA sets out the current national and regional baseline environment conditions and future trends. Do you have any comments on this baseline data?
52. QUESTION 41: Are there any particular issues, problems or opportunities you would like to mention that have not been captured within the SEA?
53. QUESTION 42: Please provide any comments on the findings of the Equality Impact Assessment.
54. QUESTION 43: Please provide any comments on the findings of the Island Communities Impact Assessment.
55. QUESTION 44: Please provide any comments on the findings of the Fairer Scotland Duty Assessment.
56. QUESTION 45: Please provide any comments on the Child Rights and Wellbeing Impact Assessment.
