Transport

Transport

Local authorities have been in the vanguard of the marked shift in transport policy over the last 10 years. The vehicles for delivering improvements are the local transport strategies and the regional transport strategies that were drawn up in 2007 by the regional transport partnerships. Scotland's National Transport Strategy was published in December 2006, and prioritises connectivity; reduced emissions; and improved quality, accessibility and affordability. The Transport (Scotland) Act 2005 requires that regional transport strategies "be consistent with the principle of sustainable development", and the National Transport Strategy as well as Scottish Executive guidance on local and regional transport strategies stress the importance of sustainability. The emphasis is on accessibility and reducing dependency on the car. The bus and, in the some places also the train, are the main alternatives to the car with important roles for cycling and walking. However, sustainable development is not anti-car. Cars have given those that can afford them great freedoms, and with a greater diversity of where people live, work, shop and spend their leisure time, many journeys depend on private vehicles. Policy options for transport are constrained by geography and population density, and will be different in rural and remote areas.

In this context, the key issues to address are to:

Local authorities (or regional transport partnerships, where these powers have been taken by them) have the lead role in the first two of these. They also have a role in the others, both by setting an example and by measures such as keeping extraneous traffic out of residential environments and traffic calming. The policy framework for Planning and Transport is set out in SPP17.

Link to Case Study: Transport 1: Aberdeen Quality Bus Partnership
Link to Case Study: Transport 2: Demand Responsive Transport and service improvements in Angus

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Paths to Improvement include: Policy Being Implemented Outcomes
Is the need to travel being reduced by land use planning policies to locate related activities close to one another?


Is remote service provision and accessibility being enhanced, including reducing the need for staff and citizens to have to travel to access services?


Is provision of public transport being secured prior to major new development being occupied?


Are park and ride, and interchange, facilities; the prioritisation of bus, cycle and walking spaces and facilities; and co-ordination of transport services to encourage modal shift being provided, supported by an increasing proportion of the transport budget?


Is there partnership with public transport operators, leading to redesigned services, improved and real time information, through and advanced ticketing, leading to increased ridership?


Is there co-ordination of bus routes and priorities, parking and servicing provision, traffic management, and AQMA (Air Quality Management Area) action plans?


Is there a planned approach to identifying and addressing the accessibility needs of local populations, taking into account different partners, including local authority (planning, transport, education and social work), public transport providers, health boards, the ambulance service and community transport operators?


Are demand responsive and flexible transport solutions actively considered in addressing the transport needs of local populations on a Best Value basis compared to traditional fixed routes?


Is there partnership with industry, business and commerce to secure adoption of sustainable travel plans?


Does the Council have a fully implemented and regularly updated sustainable travel plan for its own staff and visitors, to promote more sustainable transport use?


Is there innovation in the Council's vehicle fleet, including fuel efficiency and alternative (low emission) fuels?


Is there action on traffic calming, home zones, securing safe streets and accident prevention?


See also climate change mitigation and adaptation measures (under climate change & energy)


See also child transport (under education)