Whilst Transport Scotland have been working closely with the planning team, the final national developments were not agreed until close to publication (November) which limited their ability to progress appraisal on the transport interventions to support them, including discussions with regional partners on specifics;
Consideration should be given to the links to the publication of National Strategy for Economic Transformation - it would be preferable for the recommendations for investment in transport build on the NSET publication rather than come before it as one of the strategic transport objectives relates to the economy;
Officials have advised that the necessary steps are in hand in order to publish and launch the public consultation by the third week in January 2022, which is subject to parliamentary scheduling.
I hope this is a helpful update.
Best...