23 June 2014
NATIONAL WALKING AND CYCLING NETWORK WELCOME - NOW GOVERNMENT NEEDS TO FUND IT
NPF3 plans for strategic active travel network need investment as well as policy
Transform Scotland, the national alliance for sustainable transport, has today (Thursday 23 June) welcomed the inclusion of a ‘national long-distance cycling and walking network’ in the new National Planning Framework but called for this to be funded in a revised Infrastructure Investment Plan.
Transform Scotland director Colin Howden said:
“We’re pleased to see the retention of the Central Scotland Green Network in NPF3 and the addition of a network of long-distance cycling and walking paths as a new ‘National Development’. The document highlights the need to close key gaps in the active travel network. However, there remains a disconnect between these welcome planning priorities and the Government’s investment priorities as set out in the Infrastructure Investment Plan. For this sustainable walking and cycling network to become a reality, we will need to see the Government bring forward a revised Infrastructure Investment Plan which sets out the level of funding required to bring the active travel network into fruition.
“While the Government’s planning ambitions for improving the national walking and cycling network are welcome, it will also be imperative to monitor the degree to which local authorities are prepared to assist in the development of the network. The nature of active travel development requires the active participation of local government but the great unknown is the willingness of local authorities to participate. While local government transport budgets remain stretched, it is clear that investment in strategic long-distance active travel networks will have to be financially supported by the Scottish Government just as it invests in the strategic road and rail networks.
“Most fundamentally, the Government will need to make a long-term commitment to increasing the share of the transport budget that goes into active travel if its ambitions for growing these most sustainable forms of transport are to be met."
ENDS
Notes to Editors
[1] Transform Scotland
Transform Scotland is the national sustainable transport alliance, bringing together rail, bus and shipping operators, local authorities, national environment and conservation groups, businesses and local transport groups - see <http://www.transformscotland.org.uk/members.aspx> for details.
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