This item was published during the term of a previous administration that ended in April 2007
Listen
Transport white paper
16/06/2004
A white paper outlining proposals to improve transport in Scotland was launched today.
Proposals in Scotland's Transport Future include:
• The creation of a new transport agency for Scotland, with regional transport partnerships, specially designed to fit the transport needs of their area including representation from business and other organisations
• Tightened legislation to improve the co-ordination and quality of road works across the country with an independent watch dog able to impose tougher penalties
• Powers to deliver improved national concessionary fare schemes for young people and for older and disabled people
In a statement to Parliament, Transport Minister Nicol Stephen said:
"Good transport links are key to driving the economy, connecting our communities and contributing to a better quality environment. This is the biggest reform of transport delivery in Scotland since local government re-organisation. These changes are crucial if we want to make sure our investment delivers real improvements for passengers and businesses.
"We now have a record level of investment to spend - over £1 billion a year from 2006 to deliver a more reliable and efficient, integrated transport network. We have £3 billion over 10 years for major new infrastructure projects, such as airport rail links, the Stirling-Alloa-Kincardine line, Edinburgh trams, Airdrie-Bathgate, the Borders rail link and many more.
"These changes will ensure that we have the right skills in place to deliver improvements to our roads and to our public transport network.
"New regional partnerships will be better placed to deliver the right improvements for different parts of Scotland, who all have their particular transport needs. Members of the business community, transport operators and other groups will be able to contribute to how those improvements are delivered.
"We are proposing a radical reform to meet our commitment to a better transport network for business and for our communities. We want to speed up the process for building new rail and tram links. We want to improve the quality and co-ordination of local road works by utility companies to reduce delays."
The white paper forms the basis for legislative proposals in a Transport Bill later this year.
Today's white paper follows the consultation paper Scotland's Transport: Proposals for a new approach to transport in Scotland published in September 2003.
In October 2003, the Executive published the consultation paper Scotland's Transport: The Regulation of Utility Company Roadworks which sought views on how to improve issues of quality, co-ordination and enforcement for utility company roadworks
A bridges review was also announced as part of the White Paper. It will be conducted in two stages and will include consultation with bridge management, local authorities, MSPs and other interested parties. The first phase of the review is expected to be complete by the autumn.