• Dumfries and Galloway Sustainable Transport Study - Business Survey

    Galloway Rail Link (Dumfries to Stranraer)

  • Background

  • This survey is primarily aimed at Businesses primarily within Dumfries and Galloway.

    In April 2026, Swestrans (The South West of Scotland Transport Partnership) was commissioned to undertake a feasibility study. The aim of this study was to assess measures to enhance sustainable transport options for Dumfries and Galloway, with the ultimate goal of improving its economic viability. This work was intended to update a previous appraisal undertaken in 2025.

    The brief for the study explained that it would be conducted in accordance with Transport Scotland’s Scottish Transport Appraisal Guidance (STAG). The STAG Report concluded with a recommendation to re-open the rail line between Dumfries and Stranraer. However, as Swestrans have prioritised the duelling of the A75 road between Gretna and Stranraer, and funding was not going to be made available at this time for the feasibility study, I have decided to write the report myself. This report will either be used as the final report or serve as a foundation to encourage a report to be written. Essentially,

    We would like to understand the problems faced and opportunities not being realised on the transport system and how this impacts on businesses in the area. We would also like to understand how transport problems can affect the attractiveness of the area to do business and/or discourage inward investment, and equally how transport opportunities could facilitate inward investment.

    As such, we would appreciate you taking the time to complete this survey on behalf of your business. The survey should take no longer than 10 minutes to complete

    Finally, please be assured that information collected will be done so in a manner fully compliant with new General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR).

    complete it at any time by using the original link.

    The deadline for participation is Monday, 26th October 2026.

    Thank you for participating.

  • about your Bussiness

  • 2. What is the principal sector in which you operate?
  • 3.A Is your business based in Dumfries and Galloway?
  • 3.B Please select location.
  • 4. Is the location which you noted in the previous question, your business....
  • 5. How long have you operated from this location?

  • 6. Approximately how many people do you currently employ at this location?

  • About your People

  • 8. Can you tell us where your employees live? Please select as many as applyand include any contractors based at your site.

  • 9. What do you consider to be the main mode of travel used by employees to get to work. (Please provide an estimated % by mode with answers summing to 100)

  • 10. Do you have any difficulties in attracting and retaining staff?
  • 11. Why do you think these difficulties arise? (select all that apply)
  • 12. Do you feel that any of the following have a negative impact on your ability to attract and retain staff? (select all that apply)

  • About your Location

  • 13. What do you feel are the key strengths of your current business location?(select all that apply)
  • 14. What do you feel are the key weaknesses of your current business location?(select all that apply)
  • 15. You answered above that available transport links are a weakness to yourbusiness location. Which of the following, if any, are the transport issues thatcause these weaknesses? (select all that apply)

  • Freight and Goods

  • 16. How significant to your business is the physical movement of goods?
  • 17. What is your principal means of moving freight/goods/supplies or productsas part of your business?

  • 18. Do you move goods in your own vehicles or use a freight haulage firm?

  • About Your Customers

  • 19. How do you primarily engage with your customers?
  • 20. How important is it for customers to be able to access your premises?
  • 21. Are there any transport issues which affect customers when accessing yourbusiness premises?
  • 22. Which of the following transport issues, if any, do you feel affect yourcustomers when accessing your business? (select all that apply)

  • Your ideas for improvements

  • 23. Are there any transport improvements you think would make a difference to your business? If yes, please describe below.

  • Further Comments

  • Contact

  • Are you happy to be contacted by Transport Scotland or dumfries and Galloway Council to follow up on the information provided? If so, please complete the contact details below.

  • End of survey

  • I would like to thank you for participating in this survey.

    Please click the Submit button below to exit the survey.

    if you haven't already please fill out theTransport Survey

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