How can rail help drive sustainable tourism, strengthen local economies and improve community connectivity?
LNER and Transform Scotland brought together senior leaders from Dundee and Tayside for a reception at Dundee Contemporary Arts exploring the wider role of sustainable and integrated transport across the Tayside region.
We were thrilled to welcome key stakeholders from across business, tourism, transport and civil society, alongside expert speakers, to exchange insights, explore opportunities and connect with others working to promote sustainable tourism, transport and regional prosperity.
Why the value of rail extends beyond the journey
The principal takeaway from our reception was that the value of a well-connected railway extends across a number of key areas:
- Business & economic growth: Reliable, accessible rail services help businesses reach new markets, connect with customers, suppliers and partners, and attract talent from across the region and beyond. Making the most of these benefits means looking beyond the railway itself. Walking, cycling, local buses and other transport modes are essential in connecting people to stations and completing journeys, bringing employees, customers and visitors closer to the businesses and opportunities they need.
- Tourism & regional prosperity: Rail is a vital enabler of sustainable tourism, helping visitors discover Dundee’s cultural attractions and explore the wider region. Convenient, well-connected rail services make destinations more accessible, encourage visitors to travel sustainably and help bring valuable spending into local economies. Closer collaboration between transport operators, tourism organisations, businesses and civic leaders can help ensure the network meets the needs of visitors and communities alike.
- Integrated transport & connectivity: A successful railway is part of a wider, joined-up transport network. Better connections between rail, bus, walking and cycling can make journeys more seamless, improve access to employment and leisure, and help passengers make better use of their time. Bringing together different sectors creates an opportunity to identify shared priorities, address connectivity challenges and shape a transport network that works for the whole region.
Our discussions highlighted the importance of continued dialogue between business leaders, tourism organisations, transport partners and policymakers. By working together, we can maximise the benefits of investment, strengthen regional connectivity and ensure transport infrastructure supports the ambitions of the communities and economies it serves.
Ultimately, investment in rail is about much more than investment in transport. It is an investment in people, businesses and communities: connecting them with opportunity, supporting sustainable growth and helping build a more prosperous future for Scotland.
What next?
Many thanks to everyone who contributed to such an engaging evening, to our chair George Lowder, and speakers Stuart Thomas (LNER), Jess Reid (Dundee Contemporary Arts), Caroline Warburton (VisitScotland) & Jo Davidson (Edinburgh Chamber of Commerce).
We look forward to building momentum around this issue with our second reception, hosted in Inverness in 2027.
If your organisation would benefit from contributing to this event, or if you are interested in partnering with us on other initiatives, please contact katherine.scott@transform.scot.
