SNP Government Has 'Head in Sand' Over Rising Traffic Levels
Mon., August 20, 2007. 12:58.
Reports shows traffic level increases to highest ever level and removal of charges on bridges will make matters even worse
Greens today called on the SNP Government to invest in public transport schemes that have previously been shelved instead of major road expansion projects as new figures reveal that Scotland's traffic levels went up by 3% last year to their highest ever level.(1) A report to the Executive today also warns that removing bridge tolls on the Forth and Tay bridges will lead to increased traffic levels and recommends retaining the tolls. Ministers have rejected this advice. Greens advocate a system of 'smart charges' instead to tackle congestion on the bridges.
Greens say that bigger roads will just lead to more traffic, and that the Minister's decision to remove tolls from the Forth Bridge is going to make matters worse. Greens want public transport projects prioritised, for example to invest in the Aberdeen and Glasgow Crossrail schemes instead of the Aberdeen Bypass and M74 Extension.
Patrick Harvie MSP, Green Speaker on Transport, said: "It is plainly ridiculous for Ministers to claim that by investing in bigger roads, Scotland's congestion problems will be eased. It has been accepted since the 1970s that building more roads simply encourages more traffic. It's frankly bizarre for the Minister to appeal to people to leave the car at home whilst at the same time investing in bigger roads which attract people into their cars. The Minister appears to have his head in the sand. Congestion causes economic damage as well as environmental problems, and pursuing policies which make it worse is simply absurd.
"The previous Libdem/Labour Executive has left its legacy of increased traffic levels and the new administration appears hell bent on continuing the same unsustainable path. The government should accept the need for change, and give people alternative choices to the car instead of simply building capacity for more road traffic. Ministers appear unwilling to take the rational transport choices."
Notes to editors
1. Latest transport statistics and a study commissioned to look at the impacts of removing tolls from the Forth and Tay bridges suggest an increase in the number of car journeys on Scotland's roads network over future years.
Today's publications show:
* A 3% increase in traffic volume on Scotland's roads last year, contained within "Main Transport Trends 2007", a SE statistics publication
* Removing tolls will increase congestion according to a Toll Impact Study examining the effects of removing tolls from the Forth and Tay bridges. The authors have advised that tolls should not be removed as a result.
2. Main Transport Trends published today by the Scottish Executive, describes some of the main trends shown by the statistics on Transport in Scotland over the past ten years. See: http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Publications/2007/08/09154042/
3. The Toll Impact Study was commissioned by the previous administration to look at the effects of removing tolls from the Forth and Tay bridges. The report was published today at www.scotland.gov.uk/
The authors predict significant extra traffic movements, increased travelling time with associated costs, and adverse environmental impacts. The report does however suggest that over the long term there would be likely to be some 1000 more residents of Fife in employment. The consultants recommend that tolls should not be removed from either the Tay or the Forth road bridge.
Contact the Scottish Greens' press team on 07909 933 074.