ABSTRACT

Scotland's accessibility in terms of international markets is reflected in the limited share of total Scottish unitised freight traffic coming through Scottish ports today. Scottish ports are not attractive to deep-sea traffic due to the physical requirements of large vessels. The integration of ports and hinterlands from a Scottish perspective is influenced by two primary infrastructural issues: the lower gauge on the East Coast Main Line (ECML) and the problems with high-cube containers north of the central belt. This chapter focuses on an in-depth interview with Kenneth Russell, forming the basis for a detailed case study of transport operations and hinterland strategies in Scotland. Russell does not consider that current visions and challenges for transport planning or investment are any different from those of previous generations. Russell argues that Scotland has made a good start with the National planning framework which identifies 30 key projects that are perceived as critical to competitiveness in 2030.