28 April 2006
The Scottish Executive is considering a wide range of transport measures to cut journey times and reduce traffic congestion.
It is preparing a national strategy that will also look at how transport policies can promote economic growth, encourage social inclusion and protect the environment.
Launching a consultation paper on the strategy, Transport Minister Tavish Scott said that as traffic volumes continued to grow it was essential to provide attractive alternatives for the future. 'That means reducing journey times and integrating routes and public transport choices for passengers,' he added.
The consultation document, covering a strategy for the next 20 years, discusses possible solutions, including road tolls, faster train connections and better communications in rural areas.
The Executive says it is planning to invest 'very substantially' in a range of major road and rail improvements that will be managed by the recently established agency, Transport Scotland.
It is also planning policies that would encourage a shift away from the car towards walking, cycling and public transport.
The consultation seeks views on ways of lowering fares, including whether these should be funded by tax revenues. It also asks if the Executive should do more to encourage support for road pricing and road tolls.
As the document points out, the City of Edinburgh Council is the only Scottish city that has tried to introduce road pricing. However, this was abandoned following a referendum last year.
The consultation will assess whether there is a case for making funding available to local authorities and regional transport partnerships that want to promote road pricing schemes. Consideration is being given to a Scotland-wide scheme that would be developed separately from any UK plans.
The consultation document hints that ministers might drop a pledge to stabilise traffic at 2001 levels by 2021. This follows research that shows the target is likely to be missed by a wide margin.
The environment pressure group, Friends of the Earth, said dropping the modest target for traffic stabilisation would be a disaster for Scotland's environment.
PFapr2006
