The 30 year infrastructure strategy produced by the Commission places major focus on achieving the country’s goal of net zero carbon by 2045. This aim should be reflected in Scotland’s forthcoming National Transport Strategy and Strategic Transport Projects Review 2, it recommends.

The document calls on the Scottish Government to develop a new infrastructure assessment framework and methodology that would allow investment decisions to be prioritised on the basis of their contribution to inclusive, net zero carbon economy outcomes.

It also urges future strategic transport investment decisions to be aligned to address the requirement for demand management, increased use of active travel and opportunities for shared mobility as well as a greater role for public transport.

For proposed roads investments a presumption should be made in favour of future proofing existing infrastructure and making it safer, resilient and more reliable, as opposed to increasing road capacity, it adds.

“While infrastructure investment remains a vital factor in supporting the economy and acting as an enabler to deliver effective public services, future infrastructure decisions should be based on their ability to clearly demonstrate their contribution to an inclusive, net zero carbon economy,” said the Commission’s chair Ian Russell.

“We do not underestimate the nature and scale of the challenges facing future infrastructure decisions and recognise difficult decisions will need to be made. This will require bold and determined leadership from the Scottish Government.”

Further key themes in the report include increasing emphasis on an ‘infrastructure first’ approach to planning and accelerating the decarbonisation of transport, such as by exploring road user charging.

Scotland’s Cabinet Secretary for infrastructure Michael Matheson said: “This advice will help shape how we plan to invest in Scotland’s infrastructure, recognising the long term objectives of this Government to deliver an inclusive and net zero emissions economy.

“We will now take the time necessary to carefully consider the report before updating Parliament on how we plan to incorporate the recommendations into Scottish Government policy and the next Infrastructure Investment Plan.”

(Photograph: Transport Scotland)