Extra cash for trunk road repairs in a bid to boost the Scottish economy

The Scottish Government is bringing forward an additional £100m in capital spending over and above existing plans for the year in a bid to boost the economy in the wake of the EU referendum result, including for trunk maintenance.

The SNP First Minister Nicola Sturgeon announced the move as she set out her administration's programme for Government for 2016/17, saying the accelerated spending, including £15m for trunk road maintenance and £3m for rail projects such as ticket hall improvements, had "been assessed against criteria including how quickly work can start, the number of jobs that will be supported or created and the likely impact on the supply chain".

This sets out that as part of a £4bn in overall capital spending, a "substantial programme of investment in road improvements and maintenance will continue with £1.4bn of investment, including work to dual the A9 and A96". It confirms there will be a new national transport strategy to consider national infrastructure priorities such as upgrades to the A77 south of Girvan, linking to the Cairnryan Ferry hub and the A75 and improvements to connect Dumfries and the M74.

The Scottish Government will also this year launch the new Low Carbon Travel and Transport Programme, supported by £12m from the European Regional Development Fund, will include the development of active travel and low carbon vehicle 'hubs,' with funding made available through a challenge fund process with the aim of shifting our behaviour in how we choose to travel".