Strategic Timber Transport Scheme



A Guide to Improving Timber Transport

This document provides a guide to improving timber transport in Scotland and outlines previous case studies throughout Scotland.


Improving Timber Transport Case Study: Annandale and Ae Timber Haulage Route

An improving timber transport case study on the Annandale and Ae timber haulage route.


Improving Timber Transport Case Study: Brenchoillie Road

An improving timber transport case study on the Brenchoillie Road timber haulage route.


Improving Timber Transport Case Study: Craik Forest

An improving timber transport case study on the Craik Forest timber haulage route.


Improving Timber Transport Case Study: Lorg Glen and the B729

An improving timber transport case study on the Lorg Glen and the B729 timber haulage route.


Improving Timber Transport Case Study: North West Mull Timber Haul Road

An improving timber transport case study on the North West Mull timber haulage route.


Improving Timber Transport Case Study: Rathad Mara and the Floating Piers

An improving timber transport case study on the Rathad Mara and the Floating Piers.


Improving Timber Transport Case Study: Timberlink

An improving timber transport case study on the Timberlink service.


Strategic Timber Transport Fund: Annual report (April 2024)

The purpose of this paper is to give an annual update on the current position (at 1st April 2024) of the Strategic Timber Transport Fund (STTF) which supports both the Strategic Timber Transport Scheme (STTS) and the TimberLINK public service shipping contract.

Background

The STTF has been operational for 20 years this year (2024).

The original STTF of £13m was introduced in 2005 for a three year period. Subsequently, it was extended for a further three years to 2011 with an annual budget of £5m which included a maximum £1m allocation to the TimberLINK shipping service.

The fund continued thereafter with a budget of £3m/year (including TimberLINK) until 2016.

Subsequently, the SF contribution was reduced to £2.85m enhanced with an extra £5 million from Transport Scotland giving 7.85m/year until 2019.

In 2019, the SF contribution was reduced to £2 million giving £7m/year to 2020. The 2020-21 budget of £7m was increased to £8m to support Covid-19 recovery then the 2021-22, and 2022-23 budgets were both set at £7m. In 2023, the Transport Scotland contribution was reduced to £2m such that the budget became £4m in total.

Objectives

The aims and objectives of the Strategic Timber Transport Fund remain the same:

‘To facilitate the sustainable transport of timber in rural areas of Scotland for the benefit of local communities and the environment, maximising the value of monies available through innovative projects and partnerships’


Strategic Timber Transport Scheme - Agents mandate form 2024-25

Use this form to provide your agent or representative with authority to act on your behalf when dealing with Scottish Forestry when seeking support from the Strategic Timber Transport Scheme.


Strategic Timber Transport Scheme - Application Form 2024-25

When completing this application please refer to the current Strategic Timber Transport Scheme (STTS) Application Guidance which can be found on Scottish Forestry’s Timber Transport web pages.


Strategic Timber Transport Scheme - Application Guidance 2024-25

This guide provides practical information to potential applicants in preparing and submitting applications to the Sustainable Timber Transport Fund (hereafter "STTF").

In addition, it provides a general overview of the applicable assessment and award processes.