12 September 2012
'Warning signs' report sets out comprehensive picture of sustainable transport in Scotland
New report sets out challenge for Nicola Sturgeon in new transport brief
Transform Scotland has today (Wednesday 12th) published a new report, 'Warning Signs -- Is Scotland moving towards sustainable transport?', which sets out the challenges faced by the Scottish Government in turning around the situation on transport in Scotland. Amongst other things, the report sets out a set of recommendations on investment requirements that could be tackled in next week's Scottish Budget, and suggests priorities for action for Nicola Sturgeon, the new Cabinet Secretary with responsibility for transport.
The new report sets out a comprehensive, yet summarised, picture of the current state of sustainable transport in Scotland. The report identifies a set of progress indicators against which we can assess whether Scotland is making progress nationally. While headway is found to be being made on certain issues (greening the vehicle fleet; car- and bike-sharing; road traffic stabilisation), a greater number of indicators were found to provide serious challenges (e.g. climate emissions; air pollution levels; public transport fares), while the balance and direction of Scottish Government investment was found to be reinforcing rather than tackling these problems.
Transform Scotland researcher Sandra Wechner, one of the report's co-authors, said:
"There are some hopeful signs. There has been an expansion in car share schemes, there is progress on reducing vehicle emissions and there is clear evidence that overall traffic levels have stabilised across the country. However, the overall picture is fairly bleak, with increases in greenhouse emissions from transport and serious public health problems from air pollution. Public transport fares are also rising ahead of the price of using a car, and the Government's cuts to bus investment are likely to drive people away from public transport."
Ahead of next week's Scottish Budget, the report calls for the Scottish Government to fully fund its climate change action plan, and reconsider its budget cuts for investment in buses and active travel (walking and cycling). Transform Scotland also calls for investment to be prioritised on measures which can benefit Scottish transport across the whole of the country rather than the overwhelming concentration on 'prestige projects' which has characterised recent Scottish Government investment priorities.
Transform Scotland director, and report co-author, Colin Howden said:
"The report sets out some key actions that Nicola Sturgeon, the new Cabinet Secretary covering transport, will need to put in place if she is to get the Scottish Government back on track towards sustainable transport. The Cabinet Secretary will know the economic value of preventative spending from her previous role running health. There is an important role here for investment in active travel, the most healthy and sustainable modes of transport. Not only would investment in this area provide large public health benefits, it would also be of disproportionate benefit to the Scottish economy as investment flows through local authorities and local contractors."
"Meanwhile, in next week's Budget, it is imperative that John Swinney focus public expenditure on assisting investment by small-scale, local, Scottish companies and public bodies. Tackling the roads maintenance backlog would provide greater local economic benefit than paying foreign companies to build new roads."
The full report (40pp) is available at <http://www.transformscotland.org.uk/GetFile.aspx?ItemId=586>.
The summary report (8pp) is available at <http://www.transformscotland.org.uk/GetFile.aspx?ItemId=587>.
The report is being presented at an event beside the Parliament on Wednesday evening. See below for details.
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/our-members.aspx> for details.
[2] 'Is Scotland moving towards sustainable transport?' event
The event will be at Hemma, 75 Holyrood Road, EH8 8AE Edinburgh, United Kingdom. See <http://www.bodabar.com/mt-static/hemma.html>.
Media representatives are welcome to attend the event (although it'd be helpful if you would let us know if you intend to be present).
Please contact us if you wish to arrange interviews with speakers and/or wish to arrange media access to the event.
Event programme:
18.00 Registration.
18.30 Welcome and introductory remarks.
18.45 Sandra Wechner with Colin Howden to present key findings from report.
19.00 Representatives from four organisations present their views on the Budget.
Question session.
19.45 Drinks & buffet reception.
END OF NEWS RELEASE