Development of a new Regional Transport Strategy for the SEStran Region

Description

Provision of consultancy services to develop and produce a new Regional Transport Strategy for the SEStran region that will inform policy, strategy, and future transportation needs to support substantial ongoing development and growth in the South East of Scotland. SEStran wishes to tender a contract for the provision of transport planning services to support production of a new Regional Transport Strategy for the SEStran region (the “Strategy”). The consultant shall have an in depth working knowledge of the processes and procedures relating to the development of transportation policy within a Scottish context. It is anticipated that a consultative draft Strategy will be prepared and issued for public consultation in autumn 2021 and that the final strategy will be presented to the SEStran board in December 2021. The Strategy will span a minimum period of 10 years and include the following elements: strategic framework, vision, spatial plans and monitoring & evaluation framework. The impacts of COVID-19 and the uncertainties around short term actions and future scenarios has shown that the strategy must be forward thinking, flexible and robust meeting the four NTS priorities proposing innovative measures and policies to reduce travel demand, support active travel, promote inclusive growth. and promote the development of local place making. The consultant will be required to deliver the following elements of works as part of the commission although full details of work packages and requirements will be contained in the brief for the work. The tasks below indicate the range of works expected for delivery through this commission. This is only an introduction to the required works. - Project management and Support - To structure development, provide project and programme management support to the project, arrange and document client liaison; - Engagement and Consultation - The planning, management and delivery of the range of engagement and consultation activities to support the development of the Strategy, in line with the RTS Guidance, STAG and the project objectives; - Case for Change - Undertake and prepare a Case for Change study based on the already completed main issues report and the findings emerging from the engagement and consultation; - Vision and RTS Transport Objectives - Supported by the findings of the Main Issues Report and through the consultation and engagement, identify the vision and objectives of the strategy in partnership with SEStran; - Policies - To develop and agree with SEStran the key policy areas and policies to be included with the strategy; - Strategic Environmental Assessment - Undertake the Strategic Environmental Assessment for the new Strategy, in line with the Environmental Assessment Act (2005) and the SEA Guidance; - Other Statutory Assessments - Undertake Impact Assessments for the new Strategy, in line with all statutory requirements and duties including as a minimum: Equality Impact Assessment in line with the Equality Act (2010), Health Inequalities Impact Assessment and a Fairer Scotland Duty. - Preliminary Options Appraisal - This requirement is to undertake the Preliminary Options Appraisal following on from the Case for Change work to identify interventions and measures that support both the RTS objectives and Preliminary Options Appraisal objectives; - Draft RTS Preparation and undertake public consultation Draft the RTS in discussion with SEStran and coordinate consultation responses; and - Finalise the Strategy - To deliver the draft Strategy and final Strategy along with final Case for Change and Preliminary Options STAG 1 Appraisal reports, all in line with STAG and RTS Guidance.