Between the lines: Long-term strategy for transport across the country is essential

Published on Sunday 25 May 2008 20:50

IN OPPOSITION, the SNP regularly stressed the disparity in transport infrastructure spending between the Central Belt and the north of Scotland. With some justification – of all the major transport projects given the green light by the previous Scottish Executive, only one is in the north and none at all are in the Highlands.

However, now in government, things have gone quiet on a number of Highland projects, though the transport minister highlights a commitment to dualling the A9 between Perth and Inverness. While the government economic strategy says that it will "accord greater priority to achieving more balanced growth across Scotland", we are told that a strategic approach is being taken to increasing Scotland's sustainable economic growth and all policy development and spending programmes will be judged against the delivery of this overall purpose. Decisions on how this will be translated into transport investment between 2012 and 2022 are due this summer.

My argument today is that this is not something which, in itself, the Highlands and Islands should fear. Rather, we need to present our strong case for transport infrastructure investment as less about a fair share of financial resources and more about the positive contribution this region would make to achieving the Scottish Government's ambitious economic targets. I want to highlight transport as an enabler in three key sectors.

The Highlands and Islands are home to many of Scotland's most iconic food and drink products, from whisky to salmon to shortbread. Its industry generates in excess of 1 billion per annum and supports over 24,000 full-time jobs. While there is a drive to transport more goods by rail or water, it is still necessary to deliver them to the railheads and ports, and most freight will still travel by road.

Tourism is also especially important, and the region's image is one of Scotland's unique selling points to visitors. The sector accounts for 8 per cent of GDP and employs 13 per cent of the total workforce. This makes it essential that there are good links to Scotland's international gateways and that our visitors can access a wide range of attractions.

The oil and gas supply chain is experiencing renewed growth, with future opportunities in decommissioning and new fields. There are already strong business links between the Highlands and the North-east. Scotland can only gain from bringing these two key energy regions even closer together.

What is needed, if the Scottish economy is to reap these benefits, is better connectivity, especially between Inverness and the other city-regions, and to the international airport and port gateways. Unfortunately, the roads network, in particular along the main corridors, is simply not fit for purpose.

A national commitment is needed to bring the routes up to reasonable international standards.

The A9 corridor is the main strategic link between northern and southern Scotland. Fully dualling the road from Inverness to Perth – while also upgrading the Highland Line – would help to sustain the city and region's current economic vitality by better linking them with the main centres of Scottish economic activity and international gateways. This would also allow Highland business to achieve a productive working day in the Central Belt, and vice versa.

The A82 is very important as a link to ferry ports, and for the tourism, food and drink, and forestry industries in the west Highlands and Argyll and Bute.

The A96 Inverness-Aberdeen corridor is a major strategic economic development opportunity for Scotland, connecting two of Scotland's most successful city-regions, their international airports and ports, and supporting the new communities and employment growth planned for east of Inverness.

SCDI's Highlands and Islands committee brings together key players from the private and public sectors in the region.

It is time to put these strategic transport projects for Scotland in a long-term, prioritised programme, allowing the construction industry to gear up and creating certainty for business and investors. The business case is based firmly on the economic opportunity for Scotland.

&#149 Gareth Williams is SCDI's Highlands and Islands manager.