This item was published during the term of a previous administration that ended in April 2007
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Minister encourages alternatives to the car
17/12/2002
Greater use of public transport and alternatives such as
cycling and walking would help tackle road traffic
congestion, Deputy Minister for Enterprise, Transport and
Lifelong Learning, Lewis Macdonald said today.
Mr Macdonald was commenting on the findings of the
Executive's statistical bulletin
Household Transport in 2001: some Scottish Household
Survey results, which is published today.
The survey examines transport patterns for different
groups of people across Scotland. It shows that 68 per cent
of commuters travel to work by car or van (58% as a driver
and 10% as a passenger), with 63 per cent of men and 53 per
cent of women driving to work. The survey also reveals that
almost half of these commuters said they could use public
transport. Of these, 52 per cent regard public transport as
inconvenient, and a third said they prefer to use their own
car.
Mr Macdonald said:
"Tackling congestion is one of our key priorities. Over
the next two decades, traffic is forecast to grow by 27 per
cent if unchecked, with 80 per cent of this growth
occurring in the main commuter areas in our cities.
"We are tackling congestion by investing record sums of
money in public transport. By the end of the budget period
2005-2006, Executive spending on transport will exceed
£1 billion each year. Of this, almost 70 per cent will be
devoted to improving public transport.
"We are committed to investing in an effective, reliable
public transport system as an attractive alternative to
using the car by extending choice and increasing
accessibility. We could significantly reduce road traffic
congestion in Scotland, if people who were able to use
public transport did so. If we can encourage more people,
particularly more of the men who currently drive to work,
to switch to public transport, cycling or walking, we could
see significant benefits in Scotland for our environment
and health."
Household Transport in 2001: some Scottish Household
Survey results costs £2, and can be purchased from the
Stationery Bookshop, 71 Lothian Road, Edinburgh EH3
9AZ.