The 'Transport Option'?

I think we must all be suffering from collective amnesia; that or perhaps we never truly understood what happened in the first place. Either way:

In 2005 a report was published:

Dalcross (A96 Corridor) Smart Growth Masterplan
Phase 1 - Planning Report March 2005.

The report was an overview of the preparation of the Masterplan for the long term development of the A96 Corridor between Inverness and Nairn as a whole. The project adopted what was called a 'Smart Growth'*approach.

Eight development options were considered under this non-statutory master planning process by the business / developer / landowner / government and regulatory stakeholders. According to the consultant's report, after appraisal of these options, the 'Polar Growth' and the 'Transport' options were ranked joint 1st. (Any public involvement came later and only looked at 4 options - but that is a story in itself)

APTSec's understanding is that that the option The Highland Council subsequently supported was the Transport option. The A96 Corridor development is based on the Transport option, with 'Polar Growth' at East Inverness and West Nairn reflected in the Corridor masterplan along with development of the former industrial site at the Ardersier Fabrication yard.

In the words of the consultants, the key elements of this Transport option are:

"This option emphasises sustainable transport solutions to create a functional and attractive environment.

The dualling of the A96 between Raigmore and Nairn appears necessary to maintain the strategic function of the A96.

Due to the adverse and environmental impact of congested traffic within the centre of Nairn, long term growth is one further factor supporting the construction of the Nairn Bypass.

At the Raigmore junction there is limited opportunity for physical expansion, due to the constrained nature of the site. Strategic relief to the roundabout can be achieved by linking the A96 at the retail park to the A9 at Beechwood.

It is considered that an alternative route be developed which did not wholly rely upon the A96 trunk road. Dependent upon the location of the settlements, an upgrading of the B9006 and B9091 beyond Westhill is recommended.

The proposed rail halt at the airport provides a principal focus - a settlement in this area will help to maximise the potential contribution of this station, and help to off-set the disbenefits (sic) of slower end-to-end journey times.

The transport option outlines a high frequency bus services (sic) principally between Inverness to Nairn via a new settlement in the proximity of the airport, wholly to the South of the A96.

Promoting Park and Ride Facilities at Inverness Airport Rail Station and near the Inverness Retail Park on the A96...New rail station at Inverness Airport to serve both the Airport, the proposed industrial development and the proposed new settlement.

Under the 'Transport' option, the consultant's report relates the need for any new settlement to be large and discrete, with as many facilities as possible so as to discourage car use (which would undermine the sustainable objectives), and encourage walking, cycling and bus use.

No other option focused so heavily on transport.

• The A96 Growth Corridor Framework is the 'Transport' option, without the transport infrastructure a sustainable settlement pattern cannot be supported.

(Faber Maunsell did a transportation analysis as part of the master planning process.)

(*The report states that 'Smart Growth' taps into community expectations to create sustainable places, a strong environmental ethic and more nuanced views of growth).