STPR; D16

Following on from the previous post on transport concerns, let's look at some related extracts from the Strategic Transport Projects Review SEA* which concern the A96:


"D16 - Upgrade A96 to Dual Carriageway between Inverness and Nairn"

"The intervention would provide a new dual carriageway on the A96 corridor between Nairn and Inverness and a new link road connecting the A96 and the A9 south of Inverness. This intervention would address the STPR objectives, “to improve connectivity, journey time and opportunities to travel, and to reduce accident rate and severity.” The dualling of the A96 between Inverness and Nairn has been assessed as having an overall moderate adverse effect on the environment (Chapter 6)"

The report looked at an 'SEA alternative' and a 'do minimum scenario' . The do minimum case was judged not to meet the objectives as set out, but the comparison of D16 with the an SEA alternative provides a much more interesting read. The alternative to upgrading had three strands; the introduction of rail Park & Ride facilities at Inverness and Nairn; improvements to the rail infrastructure between Aberdeen and Inverness (considered in Package D17 of Appendix D in STPR Report 3: Rail Enhancements between Aberdeen and Inverness) and implementation of speed enforcement measures on the A96 between Inverness and Nairn to reduce accident rates. And the conclusion:

"After consultation with the STPR Team, it was considered that the proposed alternative would contribute to the STPR objective of “Improved Connectivity, Journey Time and Opportunity to Travel by Public Transport”; the alternative was not regarded as fully addressing the safety related objectives on the A96 east of Inverness. The alternative Park- &-Choose element could contribute to the objective but it was considered that the proposed Park-&-Choose as part of a new Dalcross Station (considered in part of D11 of Appendix D in STPR Report 3) would address the objective more fully. The speed enforcement measures are not expected to fully address the STPR safety objective. It was therefore considered that the A96 Upgrade (D16 of Appendix D in STPR Report 3), Rail Service Enhancements between Aberdeen and Inverness (D17 of Appendix D in STPR Report 3) and also Intervention Targeted Road Congestion / Environmental Relief schemes (D24 of Appendix D in STPR Report 3) would better contribute to all of the STPR objectives. Intervention D16 (A96 Upgrade) and part of the suggested alternative (considered in D17) were both been accepted. The SEA alternative as a whole was not accepted as an alternative to the upgrading of the A96."

The decision to support the upgrade of the A96 between Inverness and Nairn was based on whether or not it fulfilled the STPR objectives, and the 'alternative' rejected because it did not fully address the safety objectives.

Let us not forget however that major road construction will have an impact on the environment and the report also states:

"The upgrade of the A96 was predicted to have further minor to major adverse effects on noise sensitive receptors, material assets and cultural heritage." and,

"In terms of cultural heritage, the A96 upgrade has the potential to affect a number of Scheduled Monuments and ‘A’ listed buildings that are situated within close proximity to the A96." and,

"Minor Residual Effects after Mitigation (of environmental effects)

Biodiversity: Disturbance of species and potential loss of nationally important habitat.

Cultural heritage: Short term temporary disturbance from construction and long term effects from land take and change in setting."

[SEA* - Strategic Environmental Assessment]

As promised more posts on the STPR and the Nairn Bypass situation to follow.