Transport Scotland presents National Transport Strategy

Transport Scotland has presented its National Transport Strategy for the next two decades before Parliament. During a statement to MSPs, Cabinet Secretary for Transport, Infrastructure and Connectivity, Michael Matheson, said that the Strategy sets out the role of transport in delivering the priorities of reducing inequalities and taking climate action while helping deliver inclusive economic growth and improving health and wellbeing.

The Strategy sets out the actions that have to be taken to meet the Scottish government’s climate change targets. It is said to acknowledge the fact that there needs to be a range of activity, including technological change to ultra-low emission vehicles, altering people’s travel behaviour through improved use of public and active travel modes, as well as a reduction in the demand for unsustainable transport.

Matheson said: “The National Transport Strategy is for the whole of Scotland recognising the different needs of our cities, towns, remote and rural areas and islands.

“Our shared vision is for a sustainable, inclusive, safe and accessible transport system, helping to deliver a healthier, fairer and more prosperous Scotland for communities, businesses and visitors. One where people choose walking and cycling or public transport over other modes and where our businesses make sustainable choices to support the reliable delivery of goods and services.

“Transport plays an important role in delivering the society we want and inclusiveness and equality are at the heart of our new Strategy. While we tackle inequalities, our actions will reduce poverty, in particular child poverty, by improving access to jobs, education and training as well as to key services.

“We are already putting the building blocks in place, bringing forward transformational long-term funding for bus infrastructure of over half a billion pounds, helping reduce journey times and improve reliability. We have committed to decarbonising our railways by 2035 and we are maintaining record investment in active travel.”