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Chapter 5 : Evidence base
5. Evidence base
5.1 In preparing Scotland's Railways we have taken account of a broad range of evidence, gathered from a number of sources. In particular, we have based our analysis on evidence from our public consultation 'Towards a Transport Strategy for Scotland: Rail Priorities', the Scottish Planning Assessment ( SPA), Network Rail Route Utilisation Strategies and the Highland 'Room for Growth' study published by Highlands and Islands Enterprise. These reports are either already published or are being published alongside this document however a summary of each is given in paragraphs 5.4 to 5.7 below with some key messages presented throughout this document.
5.2 We have also taken account of a range of Scottish Executive strategies and policies including the Tourism Framework for Change and Scotland's Climate Change Programme Changing Our Ways.
5.3 We have carried out a voluntary Strategic Environmental Assessment which will be published for consultation. We will publish an environmental statement outlining how we will address any issues highlighted through that consultation.
Public Consultation
5.4 The consultation took place between October 2005 and January 2006. It sought to help Ministers set appropriate strategic priorities for rail that will be delivered through Network Rail, First ScotRail, freight operating companies and others that focus on the activities where rail can contribute most to the economy and society of Scotland. The consultation asked questions relating to future investment in the railways, priorities for customers, the use of the rail network and changes to it.
Existing and potential passengers want fast, reliable, comfortable travelling experiences to an expanded range of destinations, with straightforward fare options.
Review of Responses to Consultation on Rail Investment Priorities
Scottish Planning Assessment
5.5 Arup Consultancy was appointed by the then Strategic Rail Authority ( SRA) in April 2005 to provide the SRA and Scottish Executive with a Scottish Planning Assessment ( SPA). The SPA examines options for the long term development of the railway, through to 2026. It provides an overview of the key issues and the pressures expected to arise on the railway. It suggests schemes that should be investigated to resolve these issues. We set out later in this document which of these recommendations we will take on board.
Route Utilisation Strategies
5.6 Following the UK Government's Rail Review in 2004 and the Railways Act 2005, the Office of Rail Regulation modified Network Rail's Network Licence to require the establishment of Route Utilisation Strategies ( RUS) across the rail network. Network Rail has recently published its consultation RUS for the network in Scotland. The RUS considers the impact of continued passenger growth on the network and identifies gaps between the demand and capacity which will arise if no action is taken. It proposes a number of solutions for closing these gaps, which will need to be appraised. We take account of the interventions recommended in the consultation in this document.
Highland "Room for Growth" Study
5.7 Highlands and Islands Enterprise conducted the Room for Growth study, which followed a similar process to the RUS. It addressed key rail development issues for all of the rail routes in the Highlands. The study examined both operating and engineering issues and aimed to maximise the use of existing resources through effective use of timetables, to consider possible enhancements to train services and any associated engineering works needed to support this. A number of recommendations for improvements have been made. We set out later in this document which of these options we will consider further.
Conflicting priorities
5.8 In taking account of all of the evidence presented from these sources, conflicting priorities emerge. Scotland's Railways seeks to take forward the issues which we believe to be most significant and those which rail is best placed to deliver in an efficient, effective and sustainable way.
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