Argyll and Bute Local Transport Strategy Issues Report
Argyll and Bute Council · 19 June 2025
Back to Environment, Development and Infrastructure Committee — 19 June 2025 and its agenda
Text extracted from the council's PDF. Layout and reading order may differ from the original.
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ARGYLL AND BUTE COUNCIL ENVIRONMENT, DEVELOPMENT AND INFRASTRUCTURE COMMITTEE DEVELOPMENT & ECONOMIC GROWTH 19 JUNE 2025 ARGYLL AND BUTE LOCAL TRANSPORT STRATEGY ISSUES REPORT 1.0 INTRODUCTION 1.1 Improving our Transport connectivity remains a top priority of both the council and the Community Planning Partnership (CPP) informed by repeated public consultations with local communities including the development of the Argyll and Bute Rural Growth Deal, the Economic Strategy and development of the CPP LOIP. Scotland has a National Transport Strategy (NTS2) and there are also two regional Transport Strategies covering Argyll and Bute. This report however presents to members key Argyll and Bute transport issues that will inform the rationale, content, and future implementation of an Argyll and Bute Local Transport Strategy within the context of the resources available to us as a rural Local Authority together with National and Regional Transport priorities as set out in National and Regional Transport policy. 2.0 RECOMMENDATIONS 2.1 It is recommended that members of the Environment, Development and Infrastructure Committee:- a. Consider and approve the list of Argyll and Bute key transport issues and associated survey questions, including priority transport projects, collaboration and partnership working opportunities (paras. 3.9 to 3.21) contained within this report for a six-week period of public consultation to help inform a future Argyll and Bute Local Transport Strategy (LTS). b. Note that officers will arrange an Elected Members seminar to take place at the conclusion of the consultation. c. Note that a further report will be presented at a future committee meeting once officers have analysed the consultation responses. 3.0 DETAIL 3.1 National Transport Policy Context
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3.2 Scotland’s transport strategies aim to create a sustainable, efficient, and accessible transport system that supports economic growth, helps address inequalities including a just transition to net zero, and improves connectivity across urban and rural areas. The National Transport Strategy (NTS2) sets out a long-term vision focusing on four key priorities: reducing inequalities, taking climate action, helping deliver inclusive economic growth, and improving health and wellbeing. This strategy promotes investment in public transport, active travel (walking and cycling), and low-emission vehicles while addressing challenges such as congestion and accessibility in remote regions. Major infrastructure projects, such as road and rail upgrades, support these goals by improving connectivity between Scotland’s cities and rural communities. 3.3 The contents of NTS2 were and continue to be informed by STPR2 (Scottish Transport Projects Review), a strategic transport review conducted by Transport Scotland to assess and prioritise infrastructure projects that align with Scotland’s long-term objectives. Key Transport Issues Facing Argyll and Bute 3.4 Transport Scotland, the national agency responsible for transport, plays a central role in delivering these strategies by managing major road and rail projects, overseeing public transport services, and working towards a greener transport network. It collaborates with regional transport bodies including HITRANs and Strathclyde Partnership for Transport (SPT) that cover Argyll and Bute, which develop and implement local transport plans tailored to the needs of their respective regions. These regional bodies coordinate local bus services, cycling infrastructure, and transport accessibility initiatives while working with local authorities and other stakeholders. By aligning national and regional strategies, Scotland aims to create a well-integrated transport network that supports sustainable mobility and inclusive economic growth. 3.5 Given this national context why is there a need for a Local Transport Strategy (LTS)? 3.6 Argyll and Bute Council has an extensive transport network connecting our communities over a wide geographical area. Our population is highly dispersed across a wide geographical area and our rural economy offers only a few areas where economies of scale in terms of people movement can be realised. The council contributes significant funds each year both in terms of capital and revenue to keep our transport network and services operational. That said, it is becoming increasingly difficult to enhance and even maintain our transport network to the standards that local people require. A cohesive Local Transport Strategy, for Argyll and Bute is vital for several reasons: • Efficiency: It ensures that different modes of transport (public transit, cycling, walking, etc.) work together seamlessly, reducing travel times and improving connectivity between, and within, our communities.
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• Sustainability: By promoting public transport and non-motorised options, it helps reduce traffic congestion and lower greenhouse gas emissions, contributing to environmental sustainability. • Economic Development: A well-planned transport system can boost local economies by improving access to jobs, vital services, and amenities, making areas more attractive to businesses, visitors, and residents. • Social Equity: A cohesive strategy addresses the needs of all community members, ensuring that transport options are accessible to everyone, including vulnerable members of our community. • Public Health: By encouraging active transport modes like walking and cycling, it can improve public health outcomes through increased physical activity and reduced air pollution. • Safety: A coordinated approach can enhance safety measures, increasing resilience to climate change/severe weather events, reducing accidents and improving overall community well-being. 3.7 Having a LTS will also help the council communicate its transport priorities to both Governments and relevant key agencies. The scale of investment and change required is beyond the resources of the council which makes increased collaboration and partnership working critically important. 3.8 Members are asked to consider the key transport issues and survey questions for Argyll and Bute listed below. These issues have been informed through previous public consultations and work done in connection with national and regional transport strategies. It is intended that these key issues be subject to a public consultation over a six-week period that will help inform a draft Argyll and Bute Transport Strategy to be considered at a future EDI Committee. 3.9 Climate Change Impacts on our essential transport infrastructure Climate change impacts are increasing resulting in damage to our local transport network and restricting operations • Do you believe that climate change is impacting on our essential transport infrastructure? If so, what do you consider are the main impacts? • What could be the most cost-effective way to minimise these impacts on our transport network? 3.10 Supporting Economic Growth Our local economy relies on our transport network for the movement of goods and people across our area and connecting with national and global markets. • How can improving our transport infrastructure and connectivity boost our economic resilience and growth? 3.11 Journey to Net Zero
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The UK is on a journey to delivering net zero through national and regional strategies and transport is a major contributor of carbon in our area. • How can we best decarbonise our public transport in the context of Argyll and Bute? • What would be the best way to reduce our reliance on private transport to travel within and between our local communities? 3.12 Reducing the Need to Travel Travel is expensive in terms of time and cost particularly for people living in areas where transport choice is limited and long distances from main service centres. • How can we best reduce the need to travel in Argyll and Bute? 3.13 Improving Places through Increased Transport Choice There is increased emphasis in creating better places for people to live, work and take advantage of leisure opportunities. • How can we best increase transport choice in Argyll and Bute? Priority Transport Projects 3.14 Trunk and Local Roads The vast majority of roads across Argyll and Bute are maintained by the Council with the Scottish Government responsible for the maintenance of our Trunk Road network (A85, A82 and A83). Our road networks are essential for our way of life and the future of our economy. It is a huge challenge to ensure that these roads are kept fit for purpose and adequately maintained particularly with the resources we have available to us. How can our Trunk Road network be improved to ensure connectivity internally and externally? • How can we better maintain our local road network? • What are the key local priorities for action on our Trunk and Local Road network? 3.15 Rail Argyll and Bute has a limited rail network. That said, it still plays an important role in connecting our communities across Argyll and Bute and to the Central Belt of Scotland. • What would your priority be in improving the Argyll and Bute rail network? 3.16 Public Transport - Buses
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The council subsidies 96% of all local bus services operating across Argyll and Bute at a considerable cost and at a time when passenger numbers are falling. • What can we do to make local bus services more efficient and responsive to local people’s needs? 3.17 Ferries and Ports Our ferries and ports are vitally important for our island and peninsula communities. Our ageing ferry fleet has had major reliability issues and many of our ports require substantial investment to ensure they can accommodate new ferries that have been commissioned by the Scottish Government. • What are your priorities in improving our local port infrastructure? • What are your priorities for future ferry investment? 3.18 Air Transport Air transport connects several of our remoter communities directly to the central belt in the case of Campbeltown, Islay and Tiree and to Oban for Coll and Colonsay. • What are your priorities for the future delivery of air transport across argyll and Bute? 3.19 New Technology New technology is rapidly advancing including in the area of transport with new ways to travel and new fuels being considered. • Where do you see are the main areas of new technology that could help transform transport networks across argyll and Bute? Resourcing and Partnership Working Opportunities 3.20 Funding Opportunities Argyll and Bute has an extensive transport network that is increasingly vulnerable to climate change impacts and in certain locations increased usage for freight or the movement of people. Local resources are currently insufficient to address community concerns over the condition and/or suitability of this network. Consequently, there is a need to look outwith our area to secure the funding we need. • How can we best attract external funding into our transport network? 3.21 Collaborative Working
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Our local transport network is managed and operated by different partners including from the public, private and third sectors. • Who should the council look to collaborate with to help secure additional funding for our transport network? 4.0 NEXT STEPS 4.1 Addressing Argyll and Bute’s transport challenges at a time of significant change and innovation requires a strategic approach, targeted investment and prioritisation, together with strong collaboration and partnership working. Repeated consultations with our communities have highlighted transport connectivity as a top priority issue. Members are asked to consider the Argyll and Bute transport issues contained in this report that will then be consulted on to inform a new Local Transport Strategy for Argyll and Bute recognising that the council has limited resources and will need to involve a range of partners to deliver changes to our transport network at a local level. 4.2 The consultation will be open to all transport partners together with the public over a six-week period and will be undertaken digitally. Following an analysis and careful consideration of comments received a draft LTS will be prepared for EDI and Council consideration and approval. 5.0 CONCLUSION 5.1 Improving our transport connectivity as a place is a top priority of our communities evidenced by several recent public consultations including most recently by the Community Planning Partnership (CPP). Scotland has a National Transport Strategy (NTS) in place, informed by regular strategic transport reviews, together with two regional Transport strategies (HITRANS and SPT) that cover different parts of Argyll and Bute. These national and regional strategies have established the strategic context that our LTS strategy needs to take account of, but they do not fully address or identify our local transport issues. Having a LTS in place will enable the council to clearly communicate our key transport issues and priorities for future investment to our communities, including potential investors, transport users, together with our strategic partners including Transport Scotland and the Scottish and UK Governments. 6.0 IMPLICATIONS 6.1 Policy - Development of a Local Transport Strategy supports delivery of Outcome 1: Transport Infrastructure, contained within the Argyll and Bute Community Planning Partnership Improvement Plan 2024-34. The project also supports achievement of the Scottish Government’s National Transport Strategy. 6.2 Financial - The development of a Local Transport Strategy will require Argyll and Bute Council to pursue and lobby funding from external funding sources. It should
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be noted that Argyll and Bute already financially subsidises transport services across Argyll. 6.3 Legal – None. 6.4 HR – None. 6.5 Customer Service – None. 6.6 Risk - There is a reputational risk to the Council if continued improvements to opportunities in economic important transport assets are not delivered. 6.7 Climate Change - The Local Transport Strategy and sister Active Travel Strategy will provide the context for development of new opportunities for residents and visitors to consider an alternative to having to use a private car to travel which will help lower Argyll and Bute’s carbon footprint. 6.8 Fairer Scotland Duty – None. 6.9 Equalities - protected characteristics - The final Local Transport Strategy will be accompanied by a Socio and Economic Impact Assessment and Island Communities Impact Assessment. 6.10 Consumer Duty - Creation of a Local Transport Strategy will support development of projects to enable our residents and visitors to travel more sustainably and actively which will help reduce transport and fuel poverty and improve access to essential services. 6.11 Island Communities - The Local Transport Strategy will include all islands within Argyll and Bute on an equal basis as the mainland. 6.12 Children’s Rights and Wellbeing - Engagement feedback demonstrates stronger support for the delivery walking and cycling infrastructure from younger members of the community than the average level of community support. Executive Director with the responsibility for Development and Economic Growth: Kirsty Flanagan Policy Lead for Roads, Transport and Amenity: Councillor John Armour For further information contact: Fergus Murray, Head of Development and Economic Growth fergus.murray@argyll-bute.gov.uk Moya Ingram, Strategic Transportation Manager. moya.ingram@argyll-bute.gov.uk