Finding the facts behind the Transport Issues

1. Introduction

The remit for the Strategic Transport Projects Review (STPR) is to assess the existing and future performance of the transport network, identify gaps and shortfalls, identify and appraise potential interventions and produce a prioritised programme of such interventions that will make a significant contribution to three key strategic outcomes, namely:

• Improve journey times and connections;

• Reduce emissions; and

• Improve quality, accessibility and affordability.

To assist the analysis process, different elements of the network have been identified - four urban networks (Aberdeen, Dundee, Edinburgh and Glasgow), two strategic nodes (Inverness and Perth) and 20 land based corridors of national importance.

In defining the appropriate level of detail to assess the urban networks and strategic nodes, the role of the STPR in the urban networks and strategic nodes has been identified as connecting the strategic corridors, providing access to international gateways or access to areas of economic activity of national significance and access to regeneration areas.

2. Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to identify areas of economic activity which are of national significance in order to provide a framework to assess the performance of transport within these urban areas and strategic nodes.

3. Selection Approach

The following approach was used to select areas of economic activity of national significance:
An initial review of each of the four urban networks and two strategic nodes was undertaken.Specific sub regions were identified as potentially containing areas of nationally important economic activity. These areas were selected by drawing upon the knowledge and experience gathered by the study team during previous work in each city region and the review of the local and strategic planning documents carried out during SWP3. Areas were selected on the basis of their existing status as employment centres as well as their status as areas in which strategic employment developments are planned in future.

In selecting these areas, the analysis recognised the importance of city centre locations in each of the urban networks and strategic nodes. A broad geographical definition of ‘city centre’ was adopted at the core of each city.

Beyond the city centre, a number of key areas of economic activity were identified and included for consideration. These areas concentrated on key existing industrial sites and areas with high profile new or planned developments.

Each of these areas was then assessed against a number of criteria to determine whether they
could be considered of national and strategic importance as centres of economic activity.

4 Definition Criteria

Throughout the selection approach the analysis adopted a definition of ‘nationally significant areas of economic activity’ which is consistent with key objectives for the Scottish economy as set out in policy documents such as The Framework for Economic Development in Scotland and Smart Successful Scotland. In particular, the selection approach paid specific attention to the Growing Businesses strand of the Smart Successful Scotland vision which aims “to enable existing businesses to grow to a scale where they can compete effectively on a world stage” and to “achieve global success in key sectors

Towards this, the analysis defines an area of nationally significant economic activity in Scotland as one which exhibits two key characteristics:

• A concentration of employment in key strategic sectors of the economy; and,

• A concentration of large companies operating on a global scale and employing significant numbers of staff on site.
  

Key strategic industries have been defined in line with the 6 national priority sectors
identified in the Scottish Enterprise Operating Plan for 2007-2010, specifically – electronic markets, energy, financial services, food and drink, life sciences and tourism.

Looking at Inverness only

Inverness

Key concentrations of economic activity within Inverness are shown on Figure 5 and include the following:

City Centre (defined as covering the area from the River Ness, through the city centre to include key sites such as Longman Industrial Estate, Raigmore and Beechwood Business Park)

• Records an employment density of 5 strategic jobs per hectare, considerably higher than the

• Key sectors include – financial and business services, life sciences, tourism

• Strategically important employers include – Centre for Health Sciences, Johnson and Johnson.

Other areas within Inverness which were considered but did not meet the criteria used in this
assessment included Inverness Airport. At present the site does not meet the selection criteria in terms of employment density. Although it is recognised that there are significant plans for
development on the site, little evidence has been found as to the nature of employment likely to be generated and the fit, therefore, with the strategic industries being assessed here.

Note the comments made above with regard to the future plans for Inverness Airport; the plans for the airport upon which so much depends in terms of providing jobs for the residents of the new communities in A96 Corridor, Particularly ' a new, 'Sustainable' town near the hamlet of Tornagrain'.

This extract was taken from one of the many documents published as part of the Strategic Transport Projects Review, STPR.

[Transport Scotland
Strategic Transport Projects Review
Report 1 – Review of Current and Future Network Performance
Appendix A – Areas of Economic Activity Technical Note; Technical Note No. 19 (1 October 2007)]

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