NEWS RELEASE - Thursday 17th January 2002

Scottish Executive Central Belt transport study: call for "strict scrutiny" of traffic-generating developments in west of Scotland

TRANSform Scotland today published their submission to the Central Scotland Transport Corridor Study (CSTCS). The study aims to identify solutions to the problems on Scotland's Central Belt transport networks, and in particular the A8, A80 and urban M74 corridors in west central Scotland [see 'Notes to Editors' for availability].

Tom Hart, TRANSform Scotland Board member and member of the CSTCS Steering Group, said:

"The Study makes a welcome call for strict scrutiny of major traffic-generating developments. Developers do not bear the full costs arising from the development of sites generating significant additional car movements. Planning conditions for new developments should be used to specify modal share targets and ensure action to achieve such targets."

"There is particular concern that the extent of recent applications for Clyde Waterfront developments will aggravate transport problems and distort investment away from more sustainable sites such as the city centre, Glasgow's east end and Ravenscraig. The Clyde Waterfront developments - largely distant from the current public transport network - west of the Kingston Bridge should take place on a phased basis delaying most development until a transport strategy achieving modal shift away from cars has been approved and substantially implemented."

TRANSform Scotland is also concerned that the policy framework set by the Scottish Executive is inadequate. Tom Hart said:

"In order for the recommendations from the Study to be in any way meaningful, the Scottish Executive has a responsibility to set targets against which progress can be measured. So far the Scottish Executive has shied away from doing this."

"The Executive must also make clear that west central Scotland will receive priority investment for public transport, walking and cycling projects - and break the current preoccupation with delivery of major road projects. Under the Scottish Executive, while new road projects for west central Scotland costing over £350 million have been promised, no new additions to the public transport network have been delivered. TRANSform Scotland urges that the misplaced fascination with new road schemes and the record of failure in the delivery of public transport schemes be replaced with a commitment that at least 50% of transport capital spending over the next five years will be devoted to public transport, walking and cycling projects."

ENDS

Notes to Editors:

(1) Main points of TRANSform Scotland submission:

¥ Welcomes the Study's view that there should be strict scrutiny of major traffic-generating developments (page 5 of response). TRANSform Scotland takes the view that the developments on the Clyde Waterfront is a prime example of development that will aggravate transport problems in the absence of a coherent transport strategy.

¥ Welcomes the Study's scaling down of road growth forecasts (page 6). This follows repeated calls for this to happen from TRANSform Scotland. ¥ Welcomes the Study's acceptance that any new road capacity must be accompanied by measures to prevent traffic growth on the roads relieved (page 7).

¥ Criticises the continued peripherality of social inclusion and accessibility issues in the Study (page 4).

¥ Takes the view that the Study's recommended interventions will be unfocussed unless they help meet targets for Climate Change emission reduction, Road Traffic Reduction, local Air Quality and a range of transport service standards (e.g. for congestion, reliability); TRANSform Scotland calls for the Scottish Executive to set targets for these topics (pages 1-3).

¥ Stresses the need for restructuring of pricing and fares in order to fulfil Study objectives (page 3). The response promotes the use of income from Road User Charging schemes to be used for public transport fares reform so that the marginal cost of public transport journeys is not higher than equivalent car journeys.

¥ Emphasises that the Study recommendations must demonstrate "Best Value" (pages 8-9). TRANSform Scotland takes the view that early priorities should concentrate on firstly, smaller-scale but cost-effective capital projects and, secondly, the use of funding for 'revenue spending' related to traffic calming, traffic management and pricing / fares reform.

¥ Challenges the Scottish Executive to ensure that at least 50% of capital funding for transport in west central Scotland be devoted to public transport, walking and cycling (page 9). Currently capital spending on transport in west central Scotland is skewed towards a massive road-building programme (e.g. commitments to a £250 million M74 Northern Extension, £60+ million M77, and a £40 million Glasgow Southern Orbital) while no new additions to the public transport network have been delivered.

(2) A copy of TRANSform Scotland's full submission (21 pages) is available on the web at http://www.transformscotland.org.uk/info/publications.html