13 February 2009
Response to STPR SEA
Transform Scotland has today published its response to Transport Scotland's consultation on the Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) of December's Strategic Transport Projects Review (STPR).
Colin Howden, Director of Transform Scotland, said:
"The SEA states that transport-related emissions have to be reduced in line with the targets in the Scottish Climate Change Bill. However, the SEA has patently failed to influence the content of STPR as the STPR schemes do not represent a programme of investment which would make significant cuts in greenhouse gas emissions (and make almost no contribution to meeting the ambitious targets set out in the Scottish Government’s own Scottish Climate Change Bill).
"The SEA also introduces encouragement of walking and cycling as a key element of its Human Health assessment, but does not follow through on this objective. STPR does nothing specifically to encourage walking and cycling, and so makes no contribution to meeting Scottish Government objectives to improve public health and reduce obesity.
"Given that SEA is a legal requirement, there is a danger that it could be seen as no more that a ‘box-ticking’ exercise rather than a genuine environmental assessment of government proposals."