A90(N)/A952 Appraisal and Buchan Sustainable Transport Study

Two inter-linked studies examining options for improving transport accessibility and connectivity on the links to and from Fraserburgh and Peterhead in Aberdeenshire are being undertaken:

Nestrans, the Regional Transport Partnership for North East Scotland, is progressing with an appraisal of the strategic transport corridor between Ellon, Peterhead and Fraserburgh supported by the Aberdeen City Region Deal. This study will focus primarily on short-to-medium term interventions. 

The Campaign for North East Rail (CNER), in partnership with Aberdeen & Grampian Chamber of Commerce (AGCC), has been awarded grant funding from the Scottish Government’s Just Transition Fund to undertake an appraisal of the strategic transport corridor between Dyce, Ellon, Peterhead and Fraserburgh. This study will focus primarily on longer term interventions.

Both studies will gather evidence on the transport problems and opportunities in the respective study areas and the impact of these problems on residents and businesses before setting out potential options for improvement.  The studies will consider all modes of transport (walking, wheeling, cycling, bus, rail, private car, and freight).

While both studies are being undertaken independently, there is a significant overlap of the study areas. Therefore, to deliver efficiencies, relevant outputs will be shared, and stakeholder engagement and public consultation activities are being delivered jointly.

There has been long-standing interest in delivering transport connectivity improvements in the North East and a number of studies have previously been undertaken to help achieve this aim. However, since those studies were completed, there have been wider changes that have impacted travel in the area, including the delivery of the Aberdeen Western Peripheral Route (AWPR) and the Balmedie-Tipperty dualling; travel changes associated with the COVID-19 pandemic; new housing and business development in the area, and significant changes in the wider policy context.

A recent Evidence Review confirmed there are ongoing issues to be resolved, and due to national policy and funding changes there would be benefit in updating the previous options and their assessment. Therefore, there is a need to re-examine the transport problems and opportunities and the impact of these, before generating options for improvement.  

Both studies are being delivered in line with Scottish Transport Appraisal Guidance (STAG) and will initially involve two stages:

• Stage 1 – Case for Change – an analysis of the transport problems and opportunities and the development of Transport Planning Objectives.  

• Stage 2 – Preliminary Options Appraisal – the generation and development of a list of options which could help address the problems and realise the opportunities and an appraisal of the options against the Transport Planning Objectives; STAG criteria (Environment; Climate Change; Health, Safety, and Wellbeing; Economy; Equality and Accessibility); wider policy objectives; and Feasibility, Affordability and Public Acceptability.

Stakeholder and Public Engagement is a vital element of both projects and will be central to the identification of the problems and opportunities, Transport Planning Objectives, and subsequent option generation and appraisal.

The timeline for the studies is shown below

We want to hear you views on the problems and opportunities in the study areas and the impact of these on your day-to-day life and / or business.

We have developed two online surveys; one aimed at residents, and one aimed at businesses / organisations based in the area. Links to the surveys are provided under the relevant headings below.

The information collected via the surveys will be analysed and used to inform the Case for Change Reporting to both Nestrans and the CNER / AGCC. Your data will be aggregated and anonymised so you will not be identified in any published reporting.

If you would prefer to complete the survey over the telephone, please call 0131 297 7019 for a call back service.

You must be 16 or over to complete the survey.

You must be 16 or over to complete the survey.