Scotland Parties Pledge Major Rail and Road Upgrades

Scottish parties propose infrastructure plans including pothole funds and railway upgrades before May 7 election

Scotland Parties Pledge Road, Rail Upgrades

Scotland's political parties are pledging major infrastructure investments ahead of the May 7 parliamentary election, with proposals ranging from pothole repairs to railway expansion. The Chartered Institution of Highways & Transportation has called on the next government to commit to long-term fixes rather than short-term patches. Officials from multiple parties have outlined competing visions for Scotland's transport network, though specific funding mechanisms for several proposals weren't detailed in available manifestos.

Context

The infrastructure push comes as industry groups warn that Scotland's transport network needs sustained investment to address aging assets and climate resilience. Sue Percy, chief executive of the Chartered Institution of Highways & Transportation, said the organization is ready to work with the next government to deliver resilient infrastructure. The transportation and construction sector contributes 10% to Scotland's economy, according to the Federation of Master Builders. The organization is urging action in four key areas: moving beyond short-term asset fixes, building resilience alongside decarbonization, delivering sustainable travel choices, and prioritizing safety in transport policy.

Details

The Scottish National Party plans to create a Major Projects Office and establish a £350 million fund to tackle potholes over four years. Reform UK has committed to 10-year plans for upgrading major trunk roads, modernizing railways, and improving harbours. The Scottish Conservatives plan to create a National Bridge Restoration Fund and pass emergency legislation to speed up upgrades to key trunk roads including the A1, A75, A77, A83, A9, and A96. Scottish Labour proposes a National Transport Connections Plan to identify priority transport projects, while the Scottish Liberal Democrats would establish a data-driven Dangerous Roads Programme and initiate a 30-year ferry and port infrastructure strategy.

Timeline

The parliamentary election takes place May 7, with the winning party expected to form a government shortly after. Officials haven't specified when individual infrastructure programs would begin if parties win power. The Association for Consultancy and Engineering released a manifesto calling for bold infrastructure planning reforms, while the Federation of Master Builders is advocating for a cabinet-level minister responsible for construction and infrastructure.

Impact

Voters will decide which infrastructure vision shapes Scotland's transport network for the next parliamentary term. The Scottish Green Party wants to explore opening new railway stations and is calling for Network Rail to be devolved to Scotland. Riders can track current transit services and plan journeys across Scotland's transport network using Moovit, which provides real-time updates for buses, trains, and ferries throughout the region.