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A WALKING STRATEGY FOR SCOTLAND

7. PARTNERSHIP AND CONSULTATION

Involving People

7.1 It is important that local organisations, businesses, the police, schools and the many different social groups which make up communities all get involved. Partnerships are needed to help communities put theory into practice. In addition transport provision needs to relate to wider economic, health, education, social and environmental policy and practice. This means making the right internal connections within organisations as well as establishing external channels of communication. Many organisations, national and local, will be able to contribute information, useful advice and/or practical help.

7.2 In both new and existing developments it is often possible to improve conditions for walking to key locations. There is a responsibility upon local employers to consider the travel requirements of their workforce and to adopt green travel plans that encourage less reliance on the private car for journeys to work. Local authorities as major employers should be prepared to take the lead and exhibit good practice. Lessons from successful individual schemes should help planners spread good practice elsewhere.

Consultation

7.3 It is important that local people and local businesses have a real say in the way transport is planned and provided. Local authorities will be expected to consult widely before they draw up their local walking strategies. Interest groups concerned with mobility, other walking issues and the environment, amongst others, can offer good ideas and specialist advice.

7.4 By consulting and involving people, local authorities can create a feeling of ‘ownership’ and personal involvement in change. Consultation on the detail is as important as consultation on the broad policy directions. Individual communities know at first hand the areas of busy pedestrian movement and where the needs are for pedestrians' links, new crossing places or increased crossing times. Consultation and involvement can make quality places to live where people are the priority.

Professional Training

7.5 Professional institutes and training organisations can play a major role in encouraging walking. They represent and influence the engineers, planners and other professionals responsible for the practical response to our new transport priorities.

7.6 All relevant professionals, whether newcomers or experienced practitioners, must be aware of the need to redress the balance in favour of sustainable modes of transport. Some may benefit from training opportunities to broaden their knowledge and to support the work they have underway. Employers should be prepared to support such training and professional development requirements as they arise so as to ensure that their staff are well equipped to move forward this policy agenda. It is envisaged that such training would fall under normal continuing professional development requirements.

Academic Institutions

7.7 Similarly there is a need for academics in related fields to be fully aware of the role of walking and the impact that increases in walking can have. It is essential that teaching and research reflect current thinking and policy on walking and the development of the role for walking in society. Academics should be encouraged to undertake research into the issues surrounding walking.

Funding

7.8 Nearly £22 million has been allocated by the Scottish Executive to local authorities over the period 2000-2004 specifically for cycling, walking and safer streets projects, including safer routes to school. In addition a number of projects to encourage the use of public transport, which have incorporated cycling and walking elements, have been assisted through the Public Transport Fund. The Scottish Executive will be announcing arrangements for continuing support for local transport projects including walking projects in the autumn of 2002. The exact details of these arrangements are still under discussion but Scottish Ministers remain committed to supporting cycling, walking and safer streets at a level that will enable real enhancements to the facilities currently available to cyclists and walkers.

7.9 While local authority budgets have been the traditional source of funding there are other sources of finance available reflecting the broad policy cross-linkages and those concerned should be innovative in seeking funding for projects. Other potential sources of funding include:

• health authorities
• urban regeneration schemes
• public-private partnerships
• contributions from developers
• Scottish Natural Heritage
• Enterprise companies
• local countryside trusts
• Paths for All Partnership
• Land fill Tax Credit
• European Funding sources

7.10 Innovative ideas are to be encouraged, but significant improvements for pedestrians can also be made by reallocating existing money to reflect new priorities. It is essential that local decisions about improvements to the walking environment are complemented by decisions about resource allocations by local authorities. To achieve their local walking targets local authorities must make the link between targets and resource allocations. They must also undertake the necessary monitoring to ensure that the impact of their investment is fully recorded.

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