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Chapter 2: What we are trying to achieve
Vision, aim and objectives
1 We have already set out a vision, aim and objectives for transport, in our White Paper of June 2004, Scotland's Transport Future. There are close linkages between the high-level objectives, which are general in nature and set out below, and the key transport goals set out in the previous chapter, which are specific to transport.
2 What we are trying to achieve - our vision - is:
An accessible Scotland with safe, integrated and reliable transport that supports economic growth, provides opportunities for all and is easy to use; a transport system that meets everyone's needs, respects our environment and contributes to health; services recognised internationally for quality, technology and innovation, and for effective and well-maintained networks; a culture where fewer short journeys are made by car, where we favour public transport, walking and cycling because they are safe and sustainable, where transport providers and planners respond to the changing needs of businesses, communities and users, and where one ticket will get you anywhere.
3 Our overall aim is to promote economic growth, social inclusion, health and protection of our environment through a safe, integrated, effective and efficient transport system.
4 Our high level objectives for transport, as set out in the White Paper, are to:
- Promote economic growth by building, enhancing, managing and maintaining transport services, infrastructure and networks to maximise their efficiency;
- Promote social inclusion by connecting remote and disadvantaged communities and increasing the accessibility of the transport network;
- Protect our environment and improve health by building and investing in public transport and other types of efficient and sustainable transport which minimise emissions and consumption of resources and energy;
- Improve safety of journeys by reducing accidents and enhancing the personal safety of pedestrians, cyclists, drivers, passengers and staff; and
- Improve integration by making journey planning and ticketing easier and working to ensure smooth connection between different forms of transport.
5 The key goals for transport set out in the last chapter and repeated below directly support these high level objectives.
- Facilitate economic growth;
- Promote accessibility;
- Promote choice and raise awareness of the need for change;
- Promote modal shift;
- Promote new technologies and cleaner fuels;
- Manage demand;
- Reduce the need for travel; and
- Promote road safety.
6 Our vision, aim and objectives have formed a core part of our work in transport strategy since 2004: apart from featuring in the White Paper and being the building blocks for transport policy since its publication, the guidance on preparing local transport strategies ( LTSs) and the guidance on regional transport strategies ( RTSs) have both required that the high level national objectives be taken into due consideration. For that reason, rather than amend them, we have developed the more detailed "transport goals" set out earlier in this document, which elaborate on them and are more specific to transport policies.
7 Nevertheless, there are likely to be a range of ways in which the vision, aim and objectives could be updated. For example, Scottish Ministers have recognised the potential beneficial impact that promotion of health improvement can have on Scotland and that the potential can only be realised if health improvement is at the heart of Scottish Executive policy. The National Transport Strategy has a role to play in delivering health improvement through promoting walking and cycling and helping to generate a new mindset among transport planners about the role they can have on health improvement. Similarly, in the light of Scotland's changing age structure Scottish Ministers are developing a strategy for a Scotland with an ageing population: those changes clearly have implications for transport policy. More direct reference could potentially be made to other overarching strategic objectives such as those set out in our Sustainable Development Strategy, the Framework for Economic Development or our Regeneration Statement.
8 The benefits of making changes to our overarching aim, vision and objectives would need to be balanced against a lack of clarity about the links between the NTS and the White Paper on which it builds, as well as between the White Paper and the LTS and RTS guidance which currently require that RTPs and local authorities work to help deliver the current versions of the aim, vision and objectives.
CONSULTATION QUESTION 2.
Do consultees consider that the aim, vision and objectives need to be amended, for example to reflect Scottish Ministers' expectations to see Health Improvement at the heart of Scottish Executive policy?
Principles
9 The following principles will also underpin the Strategy:
- Investment should be targeted where the overall balance of impacts is positive, taking into account all five high-level objectives;
- Transport should serve businesses, communities and individuals, and should address the transport requirements of different equalities groups;
- Transport policy should seek to influence the behaviour of individuals and reward sustainable, physically active choices;
- Delivery should take place at the most appropriate level - national, regional or local - and by the most appropriate agent; and
- We support partnership working between public sector agencies, the private and voluntary sectors.
Timescale
10 The vision for the Strategy covers approximately a 20-year period, to around 2025. The expected time horizon of the plans and policies in the next chapter is around 10-15 years, which is in line with the timescale expected to be covered by our forthcoming Strategic Projects Review ( SPR), which will determine our future infrastructure investment 7. By the end of the period covered by our vision we wish to have made significant movement towards realisation of our vision for transport. Chapter 4 sets out how we will monitor the effectiveness of the Strategy, and how it will be reviewed.
Scope
11 The Scottish Executive has responsibility for most transport policy issues in Scotland, and all these issues - whether delivery is directly by the Executive or by third parties such as local authorities, regional transport partnerships or the private sector - will be included in the scope of the Strategy. Some issues in transport remain reserved to the UK Government and will not be directly within the scope of the Strategy. However, where there is a clear need for the NTS to address such issues, it will do so. In these cases, the Scottish Ministers will seek to influence policy-making at the UK level through the existing mechanisms.
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