Scottish Government

A WALKING STRATEGY FOR SCOTLAND

8. CONCLUSIONS AND ACTION POINTS

• Walking is linked to many policy objectives other than transport e.g. land use, road safety, climate change, social inclusion, health, sustainable development and tourism It should be considered within the context of these policy areas and not on its own.
• The purpose of this Strategy is to guide and influence policy makers in developing local walking strategies.
• The Strategy aims to set out how walking can be made easier, safer and more pleasant.
• Short and long-term targets should be to halt the decline in the number of journeys made on foot per person and to increase the number of journeys made by 10% by 2012.
• Figures in Scottish Transport Statistics and the Scottish Household Survey can be used to measure progress nationally and at local authority level.
• Targets set to suit local circumstances, and linked to baseline figures where appropriate, will contribute to the achievement of national targets.
• Increasing the number of people who choose to walk more often will have a positive effect on the social and physical environment and bring improvements in health.
• Walking must be incorporated into integrated transport strategies.
• Local authorities are key to the successful development of sustainable transport systems.
• Consideration must be given to those with limited mobility.
• The Scottish Executive, local authorities, education organisations, employers, voluntary groups and health services will all have a role to play in promoting walking.
• Local people, businesses, the police, schools and other social/professional groups that make up communities should be encouraged to get involved to create a feeling of personal involvement in change.
• Local authorities should review their own budgets and explore all sources of funding to finance projects.
• Local authorities can use their walking strategies to help meet other targets such as road traffic reduction, air quality, road casualty reduction targets etc.
• Local authorities may wish to consider appointing a walking officer to take forward their walking strategies.