AECOM and Peter Brett Associates have been appointed to develop a study on the care for change in transport interventions in the South West of Scotland.

The South West Scotland Transport Study will identify issues and opportunities for the transport network within the study area, and how this links to key markets in Central Scotland and the rest of the UK.

It will examine the rationale for improvements to road, rail, public transport and active travel on the key strategic corridors and the railway corridors to Stranraer and Carlisle via Kilmarnock/Dumfries, with a particular focus on access to the ports at Cairnryan. For the purpose of this study, strategic corridors have been defined as:

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• Gretna - Stranraer

• Dumfries - Cumnock

• South of Ayr - Stranraer

• Dumfries - Lockerbie and Moffat

The study is being managed and delivered by Transport Scotland working closely with a project steering group comprising Dumfries and Galloway Council, the Ayrshire Roads Alliance, SWestrans and Strathclyde Partnership for Transport.

To inform the identification of problems and opportunities, a range of data sources collected by Transport Scotland throughout 2017/18 are being analysed. This includes Roadside Interviews at key routes in the region, surveys at the Ports at Cairnryan, and surveys with rail passengers at Stations throughout the study area. In addition, other sources of transport and traffic information, including accident and journey time data, as well as socio-economic datasets will be reviewed to inform a detailed understanding of travel trends and issues across the South West of Scotland.

An Initial Appraisal report will be produced which will highlight where the study has identified the need for further investigation of issues, and may include recommendations setting out transport options which could be subjected to more detailed appraisal in the national Strategic Transport Projects Review (STPR2).