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Chapter 18: Reviewing the National Transport Strategy
18.1 The consultation stated:
After its publication, the National Transport Strategy will be subject to review by the Executive approximately every four years. Given that the strategy is expected to evolve over time, there will be two aspects to the process:
- To assess the progress of transport policy in meeting the aims, objectives and goals set out in the Strategy; and
- To review the National Transport Strategy itself. Specifically to:
- Consider whether the strategy requires amending, as Scottish Ministers' priorities, understanding of transport issues, available resources and other circumstances may have changed significantly in four years; and
- Recommend specific revisions to the strategy taking account of experience and of improved knowledge
The consultation asked:
Q65: Do consultees have any views about the timing or scope of reviews of the NTS?
This question attracted relatively little response with 78 respondents (25%) addressing it.
The most common response (37 consultees) was to agree with the proposal set out in the preamble to the question that the NTS should be subject to review by the Executive approximately every 4 years. Respondents considered that this would fit into the timing of new administrations, and would also be in line with the review of the National Planning Framework.
Another common response (17 consultees) was to urge that the review process of the NTS should be integrated into the review pattern for the regional transport strategies so that a co-ordinated approach to transport planning can be achieved.
Others also identified the need for the review cycle to fit with those of other related strategies such as the National Planning Framework ( LA, LA, LA, LA, LA, Rep Org, Rep Org, RTP); the Climate Change Programme ( LA, LA, Oth PB, EB/ ST); and the Economic Development Strategy ( LA, LA).
More specific recommendations for the timing of future reviews were made:
- 6 months to 24 months (Rep Org)
- Annually (Pub, Rep Org)
- Every 1 or 2 years ( LA)
- 4-5 years ( LA, Rep Org)
- 5 years (12 consultees)
- 5-6 years ( LA)
- 5-7 years (Pub)
- 6 years (Rep Org)
Calls were made for interim reviews at intervals of 1 year ( EB/ ST, Rep Org) to 3-5 years (Pub). It was argued that annual reviews were necessary in order to accommodate rapidly changing external conditions and involve the public in providing feedback ( EB/ ST).
It was suggested that annual reports of progress against targets should be published (Pub, LA, LA, LA, RTP, EB/ ST, Rep Org).
A few consultees argued for flexibility in reviewing the NTS as some elements of it required earlier examination whilst others needed time to bed in ( LA, LA, LA, CTG, RTP, Rep Org, Pub). Flexibility was also urged to accommodate any unforeseen event ( PG).
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