This item was published during the term of a previous administration that ended in April 2007
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Transport Scotland takes shape
17/09/2003
A new Executive agency, Transport Scotland, is to be
created to take responsibility for delivering improvements
in road, rail, air and water transport.
Providing better services for passengers will be at the
heart of its work, Transport Minister Nicol Stephen said
today.
The Minister unveiled a consultation document,
Scotland's Transport: Proposals for a new approach
to transport, which outlines proposals for the new
agency.
As set out in the Partnership Agreement, the new agency
is intended to:
- Advance and co-ordinate delivery of improvements to
Scotland's transport infrastructure such as rail links
to Glasgow and Edinburgh airports and the Aberdeen
Western Peripheral Route
- Promote reliable and efficient services for
transport users, with better information for passengers
and integrated ticketing
- Co-ordinate a free national concessionary fares
scheme for the elderly and those with disabilities
- Develop close links with regional transport
partnerships and local authorities
Mr Stephen said:
"After decades of under investment, we now have the
resources in place to make a real difference to the quality
of transport in Scotland. The focus of the new agency will
be to make certain we deliver.
"The people of Scotland deserve a high quality transport
network. We must get goods to market quickly and move
passengers safely and reliably. An integrated transport
network connects our communities and drives the economy.
People are at the centre of our transport vision."
Mr Stephen launched the consultation during a visit to
the Ferry Toll Park and Ride at Inverkeithing where the
Executive has invested more than £8 million to double the
number of parking spaces to 1,000.
He added:
"By 2006 we will have £1 billion a year to spend and we
need to make sure that it is spent effectively. Our focus
must now be on delivering the benefits of that investment
for passengers.
"The new agency will be a centre of excellence with the
staffing expertise and experience needed to manage large
and complex projects such as new rail links.
"Over the next few months I look forward to hearing the
views of transport operators, providers, local authorities
and members of the public on how we will best do this.
"Working together will be crucial to our success. Local
authorities, the regional transport partnerships and the
Executive will all have an important role to play in
bringing these improvements forward."
The consultation will close on Wednesday December 17. A
number of public meetings and workshops will be held
throughout Scotland with a national transport conference to
be hosted by the Executive in November.
A new email address will also allow respondents a direct
say at
transport@scotland.gsi.gov.uk
The consultation proposes that Transport Scotland is set
up as an Executive agency, with a chief executive directly
accountable to Ministers.
Examples of other Executive agencies include Historic
Scotland, the Scottish Prison Service and Communities
Scotland. It is expected that the new agency will come into
effect in April 2005.
The Executive awarded £8.075 million to Fife Council to
allow doubling the amount of parking spaces available at
Ferrytoll park and ride site (from 500 to over 1,000). The
project forms part of a successful bid by SESTRAN to last
year's Public Transport Fund.