Finnie labels Transport Strategy 'meaningless drivel'
The new Transport Strategy for Scotland lacks any vision and commitment needed for an emergency response, the Scottish Greens have warned.
While acknowledging the climate emergency and the devastating impact of air pollution, the document offers little in the way of policy to address them.
The Scottish Greens have proposed cutting back on the billions spent on road expansions to boost public transport, inlcuding providing free bus travel for Scotland's young people.
Responding to the publication, Scottish Green Transport spokesperson John Finnie said: “Transport emissions are playing a significant role in our climate and public health emergencies. This document may acknowledge that, but without any real strategy to lower them it is meaningless drivel.
“Phrases like ‘sustainable investment hierarchy’ are cheap when the Scottish Government continues to commit to billions on expanding our congestion-filled roads while leaving whole communities without any access to public transport.
“The four priorities laid out by the Transport Secretary, reducing inequality, climate action, inclusive growth and health and wellbeing, could all be tackled by serious investment and control of public transport. Where is the commitment to do that?
“Encouraging sustainable and active travel will take radical action to make those the easiest options for people, especially for those making short journeys. In an emergency, action needs to be taken quickly. This document suggests very little will be done in 20 years. Without commitments to that radical action, this can barely be described as a strategy at all.”