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Chapter 5: Facilitating Economic Growth
As noted in the previous chapter, economic growth was generally considered to be important for Scotland, but respondents generally found it difficult to relate this to the NTS and transport priorities. Many were unsure of the extent to which it enabled other goals or objectives of the Strategy such as environment or integrated transport to be met.
Most respondents found it difficult to spontaneously consider transport as playing an integral role in helping to facilitate economic growth. In addition, when suggesting general changes in transport structure across Scotland, most did not link or find it easy to assess the cost of any potential changes or the economic benefits they may bring. That said, some respondents felt there was an inherent contradiction between increased economic growth and reduced travel.
However, when prompted, certain suggestions were made in terms of facilitating economic growth and linking this to the NTS. Respondents were generally in favour of moving freight onto rail or water as a means of stimulating economic growth and reducing the number of lorries on the road, although one respondent felt that most businesses would need to be convinced of the economic benefits (more profit) that a change to mode of transport could bring.
"If the freight went by rail it would certainly take it off the roads which will be good because I mean the heavy vehicles that are on that road now...!."
Low income, male & female, 41-65, rural
"The thing is, you'd have to convince Tesco's or whoever it is that it would be cost effective for them to use rail instead of the road system."
22-39, male & female, general public, rural
There were also concerns that the Scottish rail network as it currently exists is simply not set up for increased levels of transportation and that it is unlikely to encourage hauliers to consider this as a suitable alternative. One respondent also noted that any hauliers would still need to use the road network at either end of the journey and that this could serve to increase costs and the time for transportation of goods.
Generally, however, moving freight to rail or water tended to be considered more from an environmental or congestion perspective than in terms of facilitating economic growth.
There were suggestions that the Executive would need to re-open many rail lines in order to make this an effective and efficient mode of transport for all potential rail users across Scotland. Even some individuals living within Edinburgh commented that old lines would have to be re-opened in order to fully open up the city.
Further afield across Scotland, respondents noted a need for outlying areas to be linked to main hubs and one respondent noted that by reopening train lines to rural areas, local economies would be stimulated.
"I would open up the local railway stations instead of... Beeching shut everything and left people stranded, depending on buses that come whenever"
60-70, male & female, elderly, urban
In addition to reopening the rail lines, respondents in one group wanted the underground system in Glasgow extended further and another respondent attending a group in Dundee suggested a metro system in our major cities as is in Newcastle. Some respondents who had experience of travelling abroad also noted that most other European and American cities have better systems of public transport available to people.
"Why have we not got an underground that went further than Glasgow? Why has that never been extended?"
60-70, male & female, elderly, urban
One strand of economic growth that was mentioned at a number of the groups was the importance of tourism to Scotland as a whole and the current lack of a transport infrastructure that meets the needs of tourists. This was particularly the case for tourist attractions outwith the major cities where there are limited options for different modes of travel and, what is available, may run on a very limited basis. One respondent attending a group in Edinburgh was a keen hill walker but noted that it was very difficult to get to most walking locations without a car.
Respondents in one outlying area felt that improving transport would help develop their area for tourism.
"[We need] more promotions and say 'right: if you get the bus to Edinburgh or Glasgow, then you can get it to Inverness or Nairn for half-price.' Promotions to get people up here."
22-40, female, rural
Once again, though most respondents noted that buy-in would be needed from transport providers and questioned who would be responsible for covering the costs of extending the transport network.
"It's very good to have all this integration and everything but unless you've got the capital in the end to pay for it …"
60-70, mixed, urban
Some respondents felt that economic growth in the more rural areas had been limited by a lack of suitable transport networks and there was some criticism of little investment in recent years. Again, these respondents tended to compare what is available in Scotland to other countries and felt that there had been far greater levels of investment in alternative forms of transport and the related infrastructure in other countries.
"But if you don't invest in a good transport system you are never going to have the economic growth."
60-70, male and female, urban
"I lived in San Francisco for a while and travelled to other parts of America while we were there and they had a really good public transport system. It was easy to get around without a car if you wanted to."
15-17, male, urban
There were also assumptions on the part of a small number of respondents that effective and efficient modes of transport would automatically help lead to greater economic growth for Scotland.
"If you have a decent railway, economic growth might follow."
Visual impairment, urban
That said, there were also comments that while there is a lack of different transport alternatives, businesses will continue to remain in central locations and that more and more new businesses that need access to a transport infrastructure are choosing to be based in urban areas.
Some respondents also noted that there are better quality roads in England and that there is a need for increased connectivity between England and Scotland, albeit that this was more from a personal viewpoint and will be discussed in greater detail in a later chapter.
In considering economic growth, most respondents did not focus on their capacity to access fast, efficient and reliable transport services to utilise opportunities for employment or education. However, at many points during the discussions, respondents noted the difficulties that those in rural areas may have in accessing public transport to get to work. Respondents attending a group in Ellon noted that getting to work by public transport can be difficult, time consuming and costly. Most respondents in this area did not have easy access to a railway service, so buses were the only option available. These were perceived to be unreliable and irregular in more rural or outlying areas, so respondents with access to a car tended to use this in preference to any other alternative forms of travel.
"The bus in the morning I take to get to work gets me in sometimes at half-past-seven but I don't start work until half-past-eight. So I can't get into my work until half-past-eight. The bus is at ten to seven in the morning which is ridiculously early, and if I wanted to get the bus home it's twenty to six and I finish at five o'clock …. and there's only two buses during the day so if I wanted to go home at a lunch-time I couldn't and the earliest I could go is two o'clock in the afternoon, so there's nothing in between."
18-21, female, rural
"Inverness is a huge place now, and they have nightclubs on all night but no buses through the night. Nothing. You know, you're isolated, you have to get a taxi, you know? It's just ridiculous."
40-60, low income, male & female, rural
A number of respondents living in rural areas also felt they were penalised because wages are lower, but the cost of transporting goods meant that they were often more expensive.
"On the whole, we have lower wages but we have higher costs."
40-60, low income, male & female, rural
Across the groups as a whole, there was a general lack of understanding of what the costs might be of introducing new transport initiatives or building upon the existing transport infrastructure. This meant that most respondents tended to find it difficult to prioritise different modes of transport. However, there were assumptions from some that it is more cost effective to increase available transport options in larger towns and cities where population levels can best support investment in transport.
Finally, there was little understanding of the role or responsibilities of the Scottish Executive, local authorities or other bodies involved in transport provision and road or rail networks in Scotland. There tended to be an assumption that this sits within the remit of the Scottish Executive.
In summary,
- Economic growth is seen to be important to Scotland in general, although many respondents found it difficult in the first instance to perceive links between economic growth and the NTS. For some, there was an inherent contradiction in a strategy aimed at increased economic growth and reduced car travel.
- While a move to increased usage of rail and water for transportation of goods was perceived to be sensible, many queried how this would in fact be brought about.
- There was an acknowledged need for an increased capacity to access fast, efficient and reliable transport services to utilise employment opportunities, particularly in rural areas.
- Many respondents commented that the development of tourism in more rural areas is hampered by a lack of available and/ or regular public transport.
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