Scottish Transport Appraisal Guidance

7. ANNEX A: BACKGROUND

Scottish Transport Appraisal Guidance (STAG) was first published in September 2003. Since then it has been the Scottish Government’s objective-led multimodal transport appraisal framework. It was, however, recognised that there was an opportunity to refresh STAG for the following reasons:

To make STAG better fit-for-purpose, in response to feedback from consultation with stakeholders, so that STAG studies are more likely to be proportionate to the transport problems to be addressed and the transport opportunities being undertaken and are, therefore, more likely to be less resource intensive with outcomes more quickly produced;

To make STAG easier to follow. The new compressed version of the Guidance explains the process of STAG and is supported by a Technical Database, which provides more detailed guidance on how to undertake a STAG study. The Guidance and Technical Database, are accessible via the following link: http://www.transportscotland.gov.uk/scot-tag;

Changes have been introduced to improve clarity on STAG and reporting, although it is important to note that the principles of STAG have not changed from the previous version of the Guidance. The publication of the restructured and refreshed STAG has also provided an opportunity to update and augment some aspects of the material that now rests in the Technical Database;

To highlight that an appraisal using STAG and STAG Report should be completed before commencing detailed design elements using mode specific guidance and/or before undertaking a development management Transport Assessment, although it is appreciated that these types of mode specific guidance can be used partly to inform the STAG Report;

To re-emphasise that STAG is a whole process, inclusive of Monitoring and Evaluation, and that no investment decision should be taken until the successful completion of a STAG study, as documented in a STAG Report;

To stress that it is the responsibility of any party undertaking a STAG study to check at key points that the process of STAG is being followed as intended;

To clearly establish that the five STAG Criteria (Environment, Safety, Economy, Integration, Accessibility and Social Inclusion) support the Scottish Government’s Purpose which is: ‘to focus the Government and public services on creating a more successful country, with opportunities for all of Scotland to flourish, through increasing sustainable economic growth’; and

Additionally: ‘to focus investment on making connections across and with Scotland better, improving reliability and journey times, seeking to maximise the opportunities for employment, business, leisure and tourism’; and finally, ‘to provide sustainable, integrated and cost effective public transport alternatives to the private car, connecting people, places and work, across Scotland’.