This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/scotland/6208312.stm
The article has changed 8 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 0 | Version 1 |
|---|---|
| Transport future to be revealed | Transport future to be revealed |
| (about 8 hours later) | |
| Road pricing to cut congestion by making city driving more expensive and faster rail links are to form part of the Scotland's future transport policy. | |
| The Scottish Executive also wants more car free zones in towns and a greater number of short journeys made by bike or on foot. | The Scottish Executive also wants more car free zones in towns and a greater number of short journeys made by bike or on foot. |
| Speed restrictions for motorists may be more strictly enforced. | |
| The executive's transport policy for the next 20 years will be set out in more detail on Tuesday. | The executive's transport policy for the next 20 years will be set out in more detail on Tuesday. |
| Last week, a specially commissioned UK Government report by former British Airways chief Sir Rod Eddington recommended that motorists should be asked to pay to drive on the nation's road network. | Last week, a specially commissioned UK Government report by former British Airways chief Sir Rod Eddington recommended that motorists should be asked to pay to drive on the nation's road network. |
| He reported that road tolls could benefit the economy to the tune of £28bn a year. | He reported that road tolls could benefit the economy to the tune of £28bn a year. |
| Intercity links | Intercity links |
| Ministers north of the border see congestion as a huge issue and they are expected to confirm their backing for a UK-wide road pricing scheme. | Ministers north of the border see congestion as a huge issue and they are expected to confirm their backing for a UK-wide road pricing scheme. |
| But they are also looking at the whole shape of transport for the next 20 years. | But they are also looking at the whole shape of transport for the next 20 years. |
| Speed cameras may become more prevalent because enforcing the speed limit reduces fuel use and so cuts greenhouse gas emissions. | Speed cameras may become more prevalent because enforcing the speed limit reduces fuel use and so cuts greenhouse gas emissions. |
| More extensive car free zones in towns may also be encouraged to improve life for cyclists and pedestrians. | More extensive car free zones in towns may also be encouraged to improve life for cyclists and pedestrians. |
| There is widespread public support for tough action to tackle climate change and that means we have to get serious about reducing traffic volumes Mark BallardScottish Green Party | There is widespread public support for tough action to tackle climate change and that means we have to get serious about reducing traffic volumes Mark BallardScottish Green Party |
| On rail, the executive is expected to look at ways of speeding up intercity links, especially between Edinburgh and Glasgow. | On rail, the executive is expected to look at ways of speeding up intercity links, especially between Edinburgh and Glasgow. |
| That could lead to the possibility of a 30-minute journey time on that route. | |
| It is thought such a policy may help to appease business leaders demanding better connections. | It is thought such a policy may help to appease business leaders demanding better connections. |
| Transport Minister Tavish Scott told BBC Radio's Good Morning Scotland programme that the executive was willing to follow the UK Government on introducing road tolls. | |
| Mr Scott said that this would mean driving becoming more expensive in cities than in rural areas. | |
| He said: "The issue is to tackle the congestion where it exists and the figure across the United Kingdom is that 81% of all congestion is caused in and around our great cities." | |
| Investment pledge | |
| The minister also promised to improve investment in public transport and increase efforts to cut pricing costs and travel times of journeys. | |
| "In terms of convincing people to use public transport you've got to invest in quality, you've got to invest in making it better," he added. | |
| Mr Scott also stressed that the executive already spends 70% of the transport budget on public transport. | |
| However, the environment lobby fears there will still be major road building in the future. | |
| The Scottish Greens' Mark Ballard said that he thought the executive's transport strategy would be rich in "greenwash". | |
| He added: "There is widespread public support for tough action to tackle climate change and that means we have to get serious about reducing traffic volumes. | He added: "There is widespread public support for tough action to tackle climate change and that means we have to get serious about reducing traffic volumes. |
| "It cannot be ducked any longer. Instead of investing in the M74 and Aberdeen western peripheral bypass, we should invest in the public transport projects that will encourage people to leave their cars at home." | "It cannot be ducked any longer. Instead of investing in the M74 and Aberdeen western peripheral bypass, we should invest in the public transport projects that will encourage people to leave their cars at home." |