This item was published during the term of a previous administration that ended in April 2007
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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.