SNP Proposes Bringing Transport Scotland Back Under Direct Government Control

The Scottish National Party (SNP) has revealed plans to reintegrate Transport Scotland into the core structure of the Scottish Government if it secures a majority in the upcoming Scottish Parliament elections.

With current polling suggesting the party is likely to win, the proposal—outlined in its manifesto—could signal an important shift for the transport sector. The SNP says the move is part of broader public sector reforms aimed at reducing duplication, stating that Transport Scotland would be absorbed alongside other national transport bodies.

Exactly how this change would be implemented remains unclear. Unlike organisations such as National Highways in England, Transport Scotland is not a legally separate entity. Its staff are already civil servants, meaning the transition would likely involve a structural change rather than a legal one.

One possible outcome is that Transport Scotland could move from its current status as an executive agency to become a core government directorate. This would place it more firmly within the central civil service framework, with leadership shifting from a Chief Executive to a Director-General.

While the Transport Secretary would continue to oversee the organisation, and responsibilities such as roads, rail, and ferry services would remain unchanged, the restructuring could streamline decision-making. Budgets and priorities are already determined by ministers, but closer integration may allow for faster and more coordinated policy implementation.