The Scottish Government

SCOTTISH STRATEGIC RAIL STUDY
Final Report
March 2003

Steer Davies Gleave

CONTENTS

Summary
1. INTRODUCTION
Study Brief
Study Area
Parallel Studies
Report Structure
2. CURRENT POSITION
Routes & Services
Capacity 'Hotspots'
Demand
3. THE IMPLICATIONS OF DOING NOTHING
Do-Minimum Definition
Do-Minimum Background Growth Forecasts
Peak Hour Overcrowding - Constrained Demand
Summary
4. APPROACH TO STRATEGY DEVELOPMENT
Overview
The Vision for Rail
Strategic Outcomes
Planning Objectives
Generic Strategies
Defining Benchmarks and Aspirational Targets
Defining Projects and Programmes - Scenario Testing
The Forecasting Models
5. EASTERN CENTRAL BELT - THE SESTRAN AREA
SWOT Analysis
Planning Objectives and Aspirational Targets
Projects Considered
High Resource Scenario
Medium Resource Scenario
Low Resource Scenario
Appraisal against Planning Objectives
6. WESTERN CENTRAL BELT - THE SPT AREA
SWOT Analysis
Planning Objective Aspirational Targets
High Resource Scenario
Other Projects
Medium Resource Scenario
Low Resource Scenario
Appraisal against Planning Objectives
7. THE TAY AREA
SWOT Analysis
Planning Objectives & Aspirational Targets
Projects Considered
High Resource Scenario
Medium Resource Scenario
Low Resource Scenario
Appraisal against Planning Objectives
8. NORTH EAST SCOTLAND - THE NESTRANS AREA
SWOT Analysis
Planning Objectives & Aspirational Targets
Projects Considered
High Resource Scenario
Medium Resource Scenario
Low Resource Scenario
Appraisal against Planning Objectives
9. INTER-REGIONAL LINKS
SWOT Analysis
Planning Objective & Aspirational Targets
Projects Considered
High Resource Scenario
Performance of the HRS
Medium Resource Scenario
Low Resource Scenario
Appraisal against Planning Objectives
10. SUMMARY
Future Demand for Rail Travel
Factors that Could Affect the Demand Forecasts
Value For Money
Key Issues - SESTRAN Area
Key Issues - SPT Area
Key Issues Tay, NESTRANS and Inter Regional Services
Achieving the Vision - The Priorities