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FOREWORD
FROM THE MINISTER FOR TRANSPORT
Delivering better transport sits at the heart of the Scottish Executive's intention to build a smart, successful Scotland. An efficient, joined-up transport system is critical to achieving all our goals for this country - in particular, promoting economic growth and creating opportunity for all.
However, transport is not an end in itself, but a means to an end: to make a real difference to people and businesses using Scotland's transport systems. Establishing a national transport agency, Transport Scotland, in January 2006 marks a fundamental change in how Scotland's transport is planned and delivered at a national level. It forms part of a new national landscape for transport, together with regional transport partnerships which will bring local authorities and others together to plan and deliver transport more effectively at the regional level.
Transport Scotland has been created to drive delivery of the Scottish Executive's £3 billion capital investment programme for transport. It oversees a huge programme of national public transport projects to strengthen and expand Scotland's public transport infrastructure. It plans and manages the trunk road network. And it oversees the ScotRail franchise now that the Scottish Executive directly procures, funds and manages ScotRail train services, leading on Scotland's rail strategy and investment programme.
Transport Scotland is an executive agency of the Scottish Executive, for which I am responsible as Minister for Transport. Scottish Ministers decide on Scotland's transport policy objectives, and Transport Scotland is charged with delivering them on Ministers' behalf. That delivery responsibility, and the operational decisions which go with it, are delegated to the Chief Executive of Transport Scotland.
This Framework Document sets out the different roles and responsibilities of Scottish Ministers, Transport Scotland and the Scottish Executive Enterprise, Transport & Lifelong Learning Department in delivering the Executive's transport policy objectives.
Beyond the Executive there are many different transport providers in Scotland ranged across the private, public and community sector. I look to all these bodies to work in partnership and deliver Scotland's transport future. And I will expect Transport Scotland to lead the way in setting standards of excellence and expertise in transport delivery - standards for which Scotland can be truly envied.
Tavish Scott
Minister for Transport
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