Chapter 9: Reducing the Need to Travel
Virtually all respondents recognised the need to reduce the amount of travel that is undertaken in Scotland, but, as noted in earlier sections of the report, generally found discussion on the ways in which this could be bought about to be difficult. However, a few suggestions were made as to ways in which to reduce the need to travel and these are considered in this chapter.
9.1 Town Planning / Infrastructure
While many respondents found it difficult to make a link between transport and wider planning issues, a number of comments were made about recent town planning and the impact that this can have on car usage.
The recent growth in out of town retail parks was seen by many as a means of encouraging, rather than decreasing, car usage. This was also seen to penalise those who are not car owners and who may have difficulty in accessing these areas. Only one or two respondents were aware of initiatives to overcome this, such as, supermarkets providing free buses. That said, awareness of these initiatives was very limited and some respondents noted the need for more publicity of these services. An element of "nimbyism" 3 was also demonstrated with a few respondents noting that while these retail parks should be closer to residential areas, they did not want them built close to their home.
As with retail parks, the positioning of hospitals was seen as an issue by all respondents, particularly the more elderly, with most feeling that out-of-town hospitals were not ideal. None had any concrete suggestions as to where hospitals should be positioned, primarily as there was an understandable lack of knowledge as to the finances involved.
Opinions on access to local hospitals varied, with most feeling that there are acceptable bus services to most hospitals during the day, but these were not always sufficient early in the morning or in the evening.
While public transport services to hospitals were not always considered good, there were also some issues over car travel to hospitals, with many commenting on the high cost of parking in hospital car parks, particularly in regard to the Edinburgh Royal Infirmary (in part due to media coverage of the issue). Virtually all felt that more car park spaces should be made near hospitals and that parking should be free of charge. While one or two respondents suggested that cutting down on car parking spaces would force people into public transport, this idea was rejected by most other respondents. The key reason for this was that it would unfairly penalise those who worked at the sites (or people in general) or that hospitals are a social service and people should not be impeded from using it or visiting it.
"Just going there, you have got to pay for parking at a hospital, that's criminal, sorry that is just absolutely criminal."
Visual impairment, urban
"If you're going to hospital with a car, they've got a terrible job to get parked."
Mobility impairment, urban
Respondents in Aberdeenshire noted that a lack of local facilities forces most residents to shop in Aberdeen on a regular basis. There were some suggestions that housebuilders and architects should design new housing with built in local facilities and amenities. One respondent also noted that local councils could insist on specific elements of infrastructure being integrated into planning applications before they could be considered. One respondent noted,
"They have built houses miles and miles and miles away from the city centre, so why did they not think about this in advance?"
60-70, male & female, elderly, urban
More general discussion of how towns could be redesigned or developed to reduce travel proved difficult for respondents.
9.2 The Potential for Homeworking
Homeworking was perceived to be a positive move by most respondents, with it being felt that this would reduce the need to travel for some individuals. However, most of our working respondents noted that homeworking for many individuals would not be a practical solution and, in order to fulfil their job requirements, they would not be able to work from home. Some individuals noted that they had a preference for an environment where they could work alongside colleagues rather than at home in isolation.
One or two respondents were aware of others who worked from home and some noted that it could be further encouraged by employers, but that many employers were unfavourable towards home working.
"I know there's some companies doing it?"
"They just want value for money, from their employees."
"They want your soul!"
LGBT, urban
9.3 Reducing Car Usage
Overall, many car drivers attending these groups noted that it would be very difficult to persuade most drivers to reduce usage of their car or even give much consideration to alternative forms of travel. For many, the car provides a convenient and quick means of travel.
"When you are standing there in the peeing rain and the snow and the cold and what not at a bus stop, waiting on a bus to come isn't much fun. And if you have got kids or you are elderly or whatever the reason, these are… honest reasons why people use cars."
LGBT, urban
Additionally, a small number of these car drivers noted that having purchased and paid for a car, they would continue to use it to justify the initial expense. Cars were not perceived to be a luxury item, rather an essential part of daily lives.
Almost all our car drivers were unlikely to change car usage to any great extent. Our non car owners had given up the use of a car primarily through economic necessity rather than a positive lifestyle choice.
One or two respondents also noted a contradiction between the need to reduce the number of cars on the road and the messages communicated by car companies in their advertising. Car advertising often highlights the top speed with which a car can travel and promotes cars as necessary items in everyday life and so on.
In summary,
- There was widespread recognition of the need to reduce the amount of travel undertaken in Scotland, although many respondents had difficult in suggesting how this could be brought about.
- There were suggestions for more local amenities to be offered to people and that plans for new housing developments need to incorporate amenities.
- While there was acknowledgement that homeworking was one means by which travel could be reduced, likely take up of this was perceived to be minimal.
- Most car drivers justified their usage of the car and were unlikely to radically change car usage. However, there may be potential for more by way of multi-purpose journeys (trip chaining).