Press & Policy

Scotland’s economy depends on people and goods being able to move efficiently around the country and connect with markets beyond it.

For our members, reliable transport links mean much more than simply getting from A to B. It affects access to workers, customers, suppliers and investment. When connections are unpredictable, the consequences are felt in recruitment, productivity, visitor numbers and business confidence.

However, recent developments provide grounds for optimism. Edinburgh Airport has announced a £500 million investment programme covering new gates, aircraft stands and a major terminal expansion.

For Scottish businesses, the airport’s plans mean greater access to overseas customers and investors, alongside further opportunities for the tourism economy.

There have also been encouraging signs in domestic aviation. Public funding has secured the Wick-Aberdeen service and supported the introduction of a new connection to Glasgow.

SCC’s recent visit to the North Highlands showed what businesses can gain from that connectivity. The Glasgow route allowed more time on the ground with companies working in maritime services, offshore energy and advanced engineering, alongside firms in food and drink and tourism.

These companies have the products and expertise to grow. Better transport reduces the time and cost involved in reaching customers, investors and specialist workers.

The early performance of the Wick routes is encouraging, with increased passenger numbers from August to September. However, the current contract runs for 12 months and businesses need greater certainty if they are to promote the services to customers or make investment decisions around the connections they provide.

Other communities face the same need for reliability. The seasonal ferry service between Ardrossan and Campbeltown will not operate in 2027, the fifth consecutive year without the route. These are difficult operational choices, but the loss of the route creates further uncertainty for Kintyre businesses.

Rural road conditions present another challenge. Almost 39% of Highland Council’s surveyed road network was classed as requiring consideration for maintenance in 2025-26. These roads connect workers and customers with town centres, airports and ferry terminals, so their condition affects the wider transport system.

Access to driving also matters. Where public transport is limited, it can determine whether someone can reach work or training. Yet learners at some Scottish test centres are waiting as long as seven months for a practical test. SCC has called on the UK Government to increase testing capacity and reduce these delays.

These pressures require action from different governments and delivery bodies. For the Scottish Government, one immediate opportunity is to improve how the major infrastructure projects shaping Scotland’s transport network are delivered.

Its decision to establish a Major Projects Office is welcome. The office has already been tasked with coordinating and accelerating nationally significant investment, removing delivery barriers and helping to unlock private capital.

Major transport schemes should form a significant part of its portfolio, alongside housing, energy and other strategic investments.

Businesses seeking clarity need Government to embrace the next step. Each priority project should have a named accountable lead and published milestones. A public dashboard should report its status, expected completion date, costs and responsible delivery body, with changes explained through regular updates.

Clear ownership and public milestones will help move delayed projects forward and give businesses greater confidence to plan and invest. Giving Scotland’s transport priorities the ownership, urgency and transparency they have too often lacked.

Its success will be measured in projects completed, delays resolved and stronger connections to jobs and markets. That is what businesses across every region of Scotland need government to deliver.