committee report To inform the Committee about the outcome from the Strategic Transport Projects Review (STPR)

Transcription

1 committee report Strategic Transport Project Review Committee Strategy and Programmes Date of Meeting 30 January 2009 Date of report 08 January 2008 Report by Assistant Chief Executive (Business Support) 1 Object of report To inform the Committee about the outcome from the Strategic Transport Projects Review (STPR) 2 Background The Scottish Government has announced its proposed list of national projects to be delivered, designed or developed between 2012 and 2022 to meet the three key strategic outcomes identified in the National Transport Strategy improving journey times and connections; reducing emissions; and improving quality, accessibility and affordability. The proposals relate to interventions on the trunk road and Scottish rail network, which in order of priority will 1. Maintain and safely operate existing assets; 2. Make better use of existing capacity; and 3. Improve the transport infrastructure. 3 Outline of Proposals As members will be aware, before the STPR announcement, the government gave a commitment to build a new cable stayed bridge across the River Forth, west of the existing Forth Road Bridge. The estimated cost of that project, including associated connecting roads is now expected to be between 1.72 billion and 2.34 billion at 2016 prices, and that funding commitment will influence what is achievable elsewhere in Scotland. In total, including the Forth Replacement Crossing, 29 Strategic Projects were announced in December, these being: Project 1 - Strategic Road Safety Plan a variety of measures to reduce the rate and severity of road accidents on trunk roads Project 2 - Maintaining and Safely Operating Scotland s Rail Network the day-to-day management and maintenance of the rail network Project 3 - Targeted Programme of Measures to Improve Road Standards between Glasgow and Oban/Fort William (A82) a general upgrade of the route including carriageway 0103aRM S&P Page 1 of 13

2 widening at selected locations between Tarbet and Inverarnan, and between Corran Ferry and Fort William plus other unspecified improvements Project 4 - Targeted Programme of Measures to Reduce Accident Severity in North and West Scotland bespoke improvements on A96, between Aberdeen and Inverness and on trunk roads north of the Great Glen Project 5 - Route Management on Other Road Corridors localised improvements on parts of the A76, A702, A7, A68, A1, A92, A90, A83, A85 and A828 trunk roads. Project 6 - Further Electrification of the Strategic Rail Network within the period of STPR the proposals are to electrify Edinburgh-Glasgow via Falkirk plus diversion routes Haymarket and Falkirk Grahamston plus via Cumbernauld and to Dunblane/Alloa plus remaining routes in the central belt (Shotts, Whifflet, Paisley Canal, Glasgow North Suburban, East Kilbride and Kilmarnock). Extending beyond the period of STPR, routes to be electrified would include Edinburgh to Perth and Dundee, including the Fife Circle, Dunblane to Aberdeen and Perth to Inverness. Project 7 - Reconfiguration of the National Rail Timetable to provide more, fast, limited stop trains on longer routes, whilst ensuring there remains stopping services for intermediate stations. Project 8 - Strategic Park and Ride and Park and Choose Strategy a Scotland wide strategy to provide sites on major transport corridors, either road or rail, possibly linking with bus priority measures on major roads with sites mentioned at Bargeddie, St James, Glasgow Southern Orbital, Robroyston and Ayr Project 9 - Using Intelligent Transport Systems to enhance road capacity and operations this might involve increased use of variable speed limits, variable message signs, ramp metering, hard shoulder running, priority lanes and average speed enforcement at key locations. Project 10 - Integrated Ticketing it is proposed to develop a national integrated ticketing system covering all modes of public transport. Project 11 - Implement Targeted Programme of Measures to Improve Links to the Loch Ryan Port Facilities from the Trans European Network improvements to A75 (Gretna-Stranraer) and A751 (link from A75 to A77) Project 12 - Enhancing Rail Capacity through Targeted Improvements This comprises a programme of small scale improvements to signalling, junctions and crossovers. Project 13 - Rail enhancements in the East of Scotland increased service frequency in the rail network centred on Edinburgh and enclosed by West Calder, Newcraighall, Dunbar, Cowdenbeath, and Kirkaldy. Project 14 - Forth Replacement Crossing Project 15 - Edinburgh Glasgow Rail Improvements this will improve the capacity, frequency and journey times between the cities, including a new station at Gogar and a curve at Dalmeny. The result will be 6 trains per hour via Falkirk High with some trains taking 35 minutes, and 3 trains per hour between Waverley and Glasgow Central. Project 16 - Road upgrading between Dunblane and Inverness the full duelling of the A9 between Dunblane and Inverness 0103aRM S&P Page 2 of 13

3 Project 17 - Rail enhancements on the highland main line between Perth and Inverness to provide an increase in service frequency and a reduction of journey times of 35 minutes. Project 18 - Upgrade A96 to Dual Carriageway between Inverness and Nairn Project 19 - Rail Service Enhancements between Aberdeen and Inverness an increase in service frequency and reduction in journey times Project 20 - Grangemouth Road and Rail Access Upgrades improvements to both road and rail access to Grangemouth port, including rail electrification and loading gauge improvements between Coatbridge and Grangemouth Project 21 - Upgrade Edinburgh Haymarket Public Transport Interchange improvements to platform level access and new at-grade concourse. Project 22 - Targeted Road Congestion and Environmental Relief Schemes these include measures such as upgrade of A77 from single to dual carriageway around Ayr, and enhancements south of Ayr; enhancements on A737 such as a bypass around Dalry; improvements to A720 Edinburgh City Bypass; and enhancements to A96 such as a bypass at Nairn Project 23 - Rail Service Enhancements between Aberdeen and the Central Belt recast of timetable, infrastructure improvements and upgraded rolling stock to provide one express per hour from Aberdeen to both Glasgow (2h15m) and Edinburgh (2h) stopping only in Dundee. Project 24 - West of Scotland Strategic Rail Enhancements see below Project 25 - Light Rapid Transit Connections between Fife and Edinburgh a bus based rapid transit service across the Forth Estuary Project 26 - Rail Enhancements between Inverclyde/Ayrshire and Glasgow to provide four trains per hour each between Glasgow and Ayr, Glasgow and Kilmarnock, and Glasgow and Gourock and to reconnect the Paisley Canal line to the Ayrshire line at Johnstone with four trains per hour between Glasgow and Johnstone and two per hour between Glasgow and Wemyss Bay; achieved by signalling improvements, line reinstatement, new turnback at Johnstone, new passing loops, platform extensions, and increased car parking capacity. Project 27 - Enhancement to Rail Freight between Glasgow and the Border via West Coast Main Line by lengthening loops, removing speed limits, increasing the loading gauge, increasing freight terminal capacity and may include a new line between Mossend and Coatbridge. Project 28 - Inverkeithing to Halbeath Rail Line provide a direct double track rail link including new junctions to improve access to the port of Rosyth and maintain commuting journey times to Edinburgh. Project 29 - Dundee Northern Relief Road to provide either a northern peripheral bypass from A90 west of Dundee to A90 north of Dundee or to improve the junctions on the A90 Kingsway. 0103aRM S&P Page 3 of 13

4 4 Commentary 4.1 Projects numbered 1, 2, 4, 7, 9, 11, 12, 13, 14, 16, 17, 18, 19, 21, 25, 28, and 29 involve improvements to infrastructure or services across the national network or are located outwith the SPT area and no commentary on these is provided. 4.2 Project 3 - Targeted Programme of Measures to Improve Road Standards between Glasgow and Oban/Fort William (A82) - It is disappointing that the proposed upgrading of A82 appears to be a confirmation of previously announced limited widening and localised realignment and that there is no proposal for a general upgrade to modern standards of the section of road on Loch Lomondside north of Tarbet. That section of the route is narrow and winding with tourist coaches and large freight vehicles experiencing great difficulty in passing oncoming vehicles. In the period between 1 January 2005 and 31 October 2008, there were 129 reported road accidents on the 17 mile stretch of A82 between Tarbet and Inverarnan, resulting in 6 deaths, 11 serious injuries and 34 slight injuries. The A82 trunk road is a key artery for a wide area of the west of Scotland where the economy of many communities is heavily dependent on tourism and forestry and it is disappointing that its importance to the economy of the region hasn t been recognised. Also, no mention has been made in STPR of the substandard junctions at Milton of Dumbarton, and at Stoneymollan (Balloch), where long traffic queues develop at peak traffic flow periods. It is suggested that these comments should be transmitted to Transport Scotland and the Minister for Transport 4.3 Project 5 Route Management on Other Road Corridors - This project includes localised improvements to A76 between Kilmarnock and Dumfries which fits with the partnership s strategic ambitions. 4.4 Project 6 Further Electrification of the Strategic Rail Network - This project includes further rail electrification and fits with the partnership s strategic ambitions 4.5 Project 8 Strategic Park and Ride and Park and Choose Strategy - This relates to providing strategic Park and Ride sites to serve the Scottish cities, including possible sites in the SPT area at Bargeddie, St James, Glasgow Southern Orbital, Fullarton, Robroyston and Ayr. It is understood that the exact location of these sites has not been fixed and we anticipate working with Transport Scotland to develop these proposals further. 4.6 Project 10 - Integrated Ticketing The development of a national, integrated ticketing system is welcome, and we have begun work on a regional pilot scheme in consultation with Transport Scotland. 4.7 Project 15 Edinburgh / Glasgow Rail Improvements - The proposals fit with the partnership s strategic ambitions 4.8 Project 20 Grangemouth Road and Rail Access Upgrades - The proposals fit with the partnership s strategic ambitions 4.9 Project 22 Targeted Road Congestion and Environmental Relief Schemes - The proposals, including proposed road improvements in Ayrshire, fit with the partnership s strategic ambitions 4.10 Project 23 Rail Service Enhancements between Aberdeen and the Central Belt - The proposals fit with the partnership s strategic ambitions 0103aRM S&P Page 4 of 13

5 4.11 Project 24 West of Scotland Strategic Rail Enhancements - These are intended to help tackle the terminal capacity issues in Glasgow and other rail capacity issues in and around the city. The text in STPR includes:- The detail of the strategy builds on improvements to be delivered through the Edinburgh to Glasgow Improvements Programme, and could include: The development of a Metro/Light Rapid Transit network across Glasgow comprising a mixture of conversion of heavy rail (e.g. part or all of the Cathcart Circle), lines on existing redundant infrastructure (e.g. Great Western Road / Botanic Gardens), new lines (e.g. Clyde Waterfront) and some on-road or next-to-road sections; and/or The provision of a new city centre station linking the rail network to the south and east of the city; and/or The provision of a new city centre station linking the north and south rail networks. A.248 Both of the new city centre station options would provide additional platform capacity in the city centre and permit cross-city services to be provided. A.249 A Metro/Light Rapid Transit system could include new stations, improved service frequencies and improved access to and across central Glasgow. The system would be rolled out on a phased basis. The operational concept for the system using proven technology could be expanded to include a new crossing of the Clyde to around the Southern General Hospital and other lines to link areas not currently served by the heavy rail network There is a degree of uncertainty about these proposals, which STPR estimates will cost between 1.5bn and 3bn. The possibility of a Metro/Light Rapid Transit system, including the possible conversion of the Cathcart Circle and the use of redundant rail lines would be welcome, and ties in with some of the emerging findings of our own West of Scotland Conurbation Public Transport Study. However, the suggested new city centre station and tunnel linking the north and south rail networks appears to relate to the proposal, rejected some years ago, to connect the north and south networks by tunnelling beneath the city centre and building an underground station. It is highly unlikely that this could be done within the stated cost range. The provision of a new station to link the rail network to the south and east of the city centre may refer to one part of SPT s Crossrail proposal i.e. the upgrade of the City Union line between High Street Junction and Shields Junction, but without the Strathbungo Link or the High Street Curve. Whilst the City Union Line upgrade would be welcome, the other two parts of Crossrail could provide significant benefits including platform capacity relief at Central Station On 7 January 2009, the Chair, the Chief Executive the Director of Policy & Strategy and the Director of Projects met the Minister for Transport and government officials to clarify the government s thinking on Project 24. It was a very fruitful meeting with an agreement that a working party of officials would be established to share the research information that s been collected on STPR, Crossrail, Fastlink and the emerging findings of the West of Scotland Conurbation Public Transport Study. It is proposed that these be used to prepare a long term integrated public transport strategy for the years beyond 2012, possibly involving changes to the heavy rail network, conversion of some heavy rail lines to Metro/light-rail and new Metro/light-rail routes. In places these might utilise redundant tunnels and track beds, and in others be on, or beside, existing roads. The first meeting of the group is expected to be in mid-february and regular reports on progress will be given to the Partnership Project 26 Rail Enhancements between Inverclyde/Ayrshire and Glasgow - The proposal fits with the partnership s strategic ambitions 0103aRM S&P Page 5 of 13

6 4.13 Project 27 Enhancement to Rail Freight between Glasgow and the Border via West Coast Main Line - The proposal fits with the partnership s strategic ambitions. 5 SPT Priorities 5.1 The government and Transport Scotland were made aware of SPT s transport priorities for the west of Scotland by the submission of our Regional Transport Strategy, by our response to consultation on the National Planning Framework, and by a submission to the STPR project team in February These suggested that the following projects in the west of Scotland were of national significance: Glasgow Crossrail This project was not included in STPR after detailed appraisal because it does not make best use of the rail network or integrate well with the menu of schemes required to meet the objectives of STPR. However part of Crossrail may be included in project 24 see above Prestwick International Airport Enhancements This is supported in STPR through projects 22 and Surface Transport Enhancements to Loch Ryan Ports This is supported in STPR through projects 11 and Scottish Sustainable Communities Not included in STPR Modernising the Subway This project was not included in STPR after detailed appraisal because it would not provide a step change in benefits to existing users and any transfer from road to rail would be negligible Glasgow Airport Rail Link Project underway Improvements to Glasgow Central and Queen Street Stations This is partially supported in STPR through project Clyde Fastlink This project was not included in STPR after detailed appraisal because it is not of a scale that could be considered nationally significant; the reduction in emissions would be limited in scale and geographic area; and it would exacerbate an existing problem at Glasgow Central Station. However Project 24 (West of Scotland Strategic Rail Enhancements) might include a Metro/Light Rail System across Glasgow and to the Southern General Hospital, which might be on the same alignment as Fastlink M74 Completion Project underway M8 Corridor Improvements - The M8 White Cart Viaduct was dropped from consideration at the project sifting stage with a suggestion that other road projects could achieve the same objectives. The upgrade to M8/M80 merge at Provan was dropped following appraisal. 0103aRM S&P Page 6 of 13

7 West Coast Main Line Improvements This is supported through projects 7, 12, and Airdrie-Bathgate Rail Project Project underway Caledonian Express Rail Project This is supported by projects 6 and 7 and a new timetable is to be introduced in December Electrification of Glasgow-Edinburgh Rail Line This is supported by project Glasgow-Kilmarnock-Dumfries-Carlisle Rail Line This is partially supported by project A82 Improvements see comments in section 4 of this report M80 Improvements see 5.10 above A76 Improvements This is supported in STPR by project New Rail Stations Individual stations have not been considered for inclusion in STPR since they are not considered to be of national significance Improved rail services to Edinburgh from Lanarkshire and Ayrshire Partially met by Airdrie- Bathgate reopening and Caledonian Express, but Edinburgh-Ayrshire will still rely on interchange at an intermediate point. A direct service from Lanark to Edinburgh does not meet STPR objectives Hyndland/Gartnavel Rail Improvements Out-with scope of STPR but being taken forward by Transport Scotland East End Regeneration Route Not included in STPR but it is understood that this project is to be taken forward by Glasgow City Council with construction starting in 2009/ A70/A71 Corridor Improvements Not included in STPR M77/A77 Corridor Improvements This is supported in STPR through project A737 Improvements This is supported in STPR through project Raith Interchange This project is being developed by Transport Scotland in its current programme Motherwell Interchange Not included in STPR 0103aRM S&P Page 7 of 13

8 Dalmarnock Interchange Not included in STPR Gourock Interchange Not included in STPR High Speed Edinburgh/Glasgow to London including consideration of Maglev This is outwith the scope of STPR since it would require substantial work in England A8/A80 Upgrades These are being developed by Transport Scotland in its current programme 6 Committee action The Committee is requested to note the outcome of the Strategic Transport Projects Review and to approve continued discussion with the Minister for Transport and Transport Scotland: a) to clarify the proposals for the West of Scotland Strategic Rail Enhancements, in particular to examine the STPR evidence that supports the retention of the possibility of constructing a cross-city tunnel and subterranean station; to clarify the STPR position on an upgrade of the City Union line, including a new station in the east of the city centre; to seek further consideration of the Strathbungo Link and the High Street Curve; to confirm the proposals for a metro/light rail system, including conversion of the Cathcart Circle; and whether a metro might serve major developments on Clydeside, west of the city centre (Fastlink route); b) on funding for the Modernisation and Upgrade of the Subway, which is an integral part of the west of Scotland mass transit network; c) on more extensive improvements to A82 including at Milton of Dumbarton, Stoneymollan and between Tarbet and Inverarnan; d) on the extent of improvements proposed for A77 to ensure that they meet the National Planning Framework s objective of creating a link between Stranraer and Rosyth that is suitable for freight movement between Ireland and continental Europe; e) on detailed proposals to tackle terminal congestion at Central and Queen Street stations; f) on how the Scottish and UK governments propose to provide high speed ground transport between Glasgow and London; g) on the development of strategic park-and-ride sites; and h) on developing a national integrated ticketing scheme. 0103aRM S&P Page 8 of 13

9 7 Consequences Policy Consequences Legal consequences Financial consequences Personnel consequences Social Inclusion consequences Risk consequences Uncertain at present none Uncertain at present Uncertain at present Uncertain at present none Name Valerie Davidson Name Ron Culley Title Assistant Chief Executive Title Chief Executive (Business Support) For further information, please contact Rodney Mortimer on aRM S&P Page 9 of 13

10 Appendix 1 Interventions dropped at the sifting stage Intervention Clyde Ferries Services Parkhead Forge Rail Station Jordanhill West rail Station Dalmuir Rail Station Allander Rail Station Cambusland Investment Park Station Clydebank Interchange Milton (West Dunbarton) Rail Station Glasgow Queen Street High Level Second Tunnel Double Decker Trains in Strathclyde Clyde Ferries Vessels and Infrastructure Motherwell to Stirling Rail Service Lanark to Edinburgh Rail Link Wishaw Hospital Rail Station A77 Extent duelling from Ayr to Stranraer A79 add to Trunk Road Network Re-open Caldwell and Uplawmoor Stations Improvement access to ports of Ayr and Troon Extend A78 dual carriageway Heathfield Rail Station Ayr Hospital Rail Station M8 White Cart Viaduct widening Ibrox Rail Station Faster Rail from Glasgow to England Reason for Not Progressing Outwith the scope of the STPR This refers to a second tunnel from Queen Street High level, surfacing by the railway works at Springburn and providing a link to Stepps and onwards to Cumbernauld. It was dropped due to technical and operational constraints of building such a tunnel in a physically constrained location adjacent to a busy railway station. Not cost effective Out-with the scope of STPE Does not meet Glasgow-Perth Corridor Objectives Does not meet Glasgow- Edinburgh objectives Does not meet Glasgow-Edinburgh objectives No strategic justification Not part of Strategic Road Network Does not meet Glasgow-Stranraer corridor objectives which are: To increase rail capacity between Ayrshire and Glasgow including the Kilmarnock line; To ensure efficient and effective freight access to the port facilities at Loch Ryan; To promote continuing reduction in accident rates and severity rates across the strategic transport network; and To reduce the conflict between longer distance and local traffic with a focus on identified key constraint points. Does not meet Glasgow-Stranraer objectives No strategic justification Alternative road improvements are preferable Out-with the scope of STPR 0103aRM S&P Page 10 of 13

11 Local Rail service Glasgow-Carlisle Rail Services to Prestwick Airport via GSW Dumfries to Ayr Rail Link High Speed Glasgow-London incl Maglev Motherwell-Hamilton and Larkhall double tracking Extend Larkhall branch to Strathaven New platform on Coatbridge line at Motherwell West Coast Main Line Alignment Improvements West Coat Main Line Local Improvements West Coast Main Line Speed Improvements WCML Lockerbie to Glasgow service Does not meet the Glasgow-England objectives which are: To make best use of the available road space and better manage peak demand taking into account the need to contribute to emissions reduction; To contribute to emissions reduction by facilitating an increase in the proportion of freight passing through the corridor that is carried by rail; and To promote continuing reduction in accident rates and severity rates across the strategic transport network. There is not strategic significant demand Does not meet the corridor objectives Out-with scope of STPR Not of strategic significance Not of strategic significance Not of strategic significance Outwith scope of STPR Does not meet the corridor objectives Out-with Scope of STPR Does not meet corridor objectives 0103aRM S&P Page 11 of 13

12 Appendix 2 Interventions not progressed following appraisal Intervention Lengthen trains and platforms across Strathclyde RoRo Rail freight enhancements between Mossend and East Upgrade M8/M80 merge at Provan New Road between M8 (Whitburn and M74 (Douglas) Double deck trains between Glasgow and Ayrshire Double deck trains between Glasgow and Kilmarnock New Bypass around Greenock New rail line between Wemyss Bay and Larks RoRo freight enhancements between Glasgow & Border RoRo freight enhancements Stranraer- Kilmarnock-England Reason for Not Progressing A more focused intervention is more appropriate Costs would outweigh benefits Costs would outweigh benefits Environmental damage and costs Cost of bridge/platform works plus interoperability Cost of bridge/platform works plus interoperability Alternative interventions are better value for money Alternative interventions are better value for money Alternative interventions are better value for money Alternative interventions are better value for money 0103aRM S&P Page 12 of 13

13 Appendix 3 Interventions not retained after detailed appraisal Intervention Construction of Glasgow Crossrail New Busway between Glasgow City Centre, Clydebank and Glasgow Airport (Fastlink) Rail Freight Enhancements between Mossend and the east/north Inverclyde Road Improvements Rail Freight Access Enhancements to Greenock Port Extension of Glasgow Southern Orbital from East Kilbride to M73/M74 Glasgow Subway Upgrade and Modernisation New Motorway Link between the M73 and Coatbridge Reason for Not Retaining Does not make best use of rail network or integrate well with other schemes. The proposed West of Scotland Strategic Rail Enhancements offer better opportunities to enhance connectivity and could use elements of this intervention. This intervention generally performs well but is a high cost road based intervention which largely provides local benefits for local traffic. Costs would outweigh benefits This intervention would provide poor value for money. Costs would outweigh benefits. This supplicates much of the provision of the M74 completing and has substantial adverse environmental impacts. This would not provide a step change in benefit to existing users and would not result in any transfer of travellers from road to rail. The impact of this would not be significant at a national level 0103aRM S&P Page 13 of 13