Scotland's trunk roads have been directly managed by central government for 70 years.
In that time the network has evolved but the volume and type of traffic it carries has also changed and increased. The trunk roads we have now do not provide a long-term solution to the transport challenges we face.
Transport Scotland's two road directorates - Major Transport Infrastructure Projects (MTRIPS) and Trunk Road: Network Management - deliver improvements to the network designed to meet today's needs and future challenges.
Improvements to the network include everything from major projects such as the M77 extension to a series of smaller maintenance and improvement schemes to help improve road safety and traffic flow.
Construction and Enhancement
Providing a new road or enhancing an existing one involves:
- Planning
- Design development
- Acquisition of land
- Procurement
- Construction and completion of the new facility
Major Transport Infrastructure Projects (MTRIPS) Directorate deliver these services for the programme of trunk road projects agreed by Scottish Ministers.
Skills and Expertise
The trunk road construction programme is supported by Professional Services Teams which develop and provide advice to the Project Teams as well as the wider Scottish Government. The teams set the standards of provision for Scottish trunk roads in:
- Road user safety
- Environmental and economic impacts
- Sustainability and impact on the environment
- Engineering materials and earthworking
- Procurement policy, including major competitions for new road construction and maintenance
- Wider health and safety in construction
- IT systems which support the development and management of the trunk road network
Transport Scotland staff sit on a number of national and international groups and committees which are tasked with developing improved specifications and best practice. The groups and committees in which we actively participate are as follows:
The National Salt Spreading Research Group (NSSRG): A group of Highway Authorities, Road Operators and Consultants that carry out pioneering research into de-icing materials to aid the removal of ice and snow from the trunk road network. The NSSRG publicity leaflet can tell you more about the future research planned by this organisation.
UK Roads Liaison Group: An advisory body bringing together national and local government to discuss roads infrastructure engineering and operations.
PIARC - The World Road Association: A non-political and non-profit making association which promotes international cooperation in issues related to roads and road transport.
ITS UK: A not-for-profit association which promotes the use of Intelligent Transport Systems across the UK
STREETWISE: A Euro-Regional project deploying traffic control and travel information facilitiles on the Trans European Road Network
TEMPO: A programme launched by the European Commission to encourage the use of Intelligent Transport Systems and services on the Trans-European Road Network.
Find out more about Road Projects currently underway in Scotland.
