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Chapter 1: Background
Due to the centrality of transport in terms of our basic infrastructure and the economic and social welfare of the country, ensuring that our transport system is as efficient as possible and meets the needs of individuals whatever their circumstances is absolutely essential. Currently, there is considerable debate about transport issues in general and the myriad ways of devising an integrated transport structure in particular. For example, debates exist over the extent of integration between different types of transport, the introduction of sustainable travel choices or the potential environmental impact of different transport options. Furthermore, because of the centrality of transport it is important that any policy integrates with policies for education, health and justice and so on so that a fully inclusive society can be created for Scotland.
1.1 A National Transport Strategy ( NTS) for Scotland
The 2004 Transport White Paper "Scotland's Transport Future", made a commitment to development of the National Transport Strategy ( NTS) for Scotland. This document is crucial - dovetailing with the Minister for Transport's statement that delivering better transport sits at the heart of the Scottish Executive's intention to build a smart, successful Scotland. In addition, it aims to meet the Scottish Executive's desire to promote economic growth, social inclusion and sustainable development through a safe, integrated and efficient transport network. Key to the document is its vision of Scotland's transport future - a vision which explicitly states the key goals underlying any future development.
"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."1
The final Strategy will be based upon the Executive's five objectives for Transport, with these being:
- To promote economic growth by building, enhancing, managing and maintaining transport services, infrastructure and networks to maximise their efficiency;
- To protect the 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;
- To promote social inclusion by connecting remote and disadvantaged communities and increasing the accessibility of the transport network;
- To improve safety of journeys by reducing accidents and enhancing the personal safety of pedestrians, drivers, passengers and staff;
- To improve integration by making journey planning and ticketing easier and working to ensure smooth connection between different forms of transport.
In particular, the NTS will meet a number of criteria:
- Cover all modes of travel
- Cover all travellers
- Be medium to long-term in nature
- Provide the context for the Strategic Projects Review
- Be based on wide-ranging public consultation (that finished on 13 July 2006)
- Be complemented by the Regional Transport Strategies ( RTSs)
- Be evidence based.
1.2 A Need for Consultation
Consultation is a key element in the development of the NTS. A series of pre-draft consultation events have taken place with key stakeholders to inform the development of the NTS and these have included a number of themed, regional and mode specific events.
In April 2006 the Scottish Executive published its draft National Transport Strategy ( NTS). This was issued as a public consultation, offering the opportunity for the wider general public, professionals working within the transport arena and others with an interest in transport to provide their views. A number of themed events with the business community, a regional event and more mode specific events complemented this launch.
The Scottish Executive wished to undertake as broad a consultation as possible, including the views of transport users. However, there were concerns that there are a number of audiences who typically will not provide their views to a consultation and the Executive was keen to ensure that their views were included in development of the NTS. As such, the Scottish Executive commissioned George Street Research to conduct independent and objective qualitative research that would place a focus on understanding the views of "hard to reach" audiences who are transport users, to ensure their views are taken account of in the development of the NTS.
Specific objectives of the research were:
- To ensure that a cross-section of the public were consulted to allow an insight into the range of views available;
- To ensure the views of specific "hard to reach" groups were included in the consultation process;
- To identify the type and nature of unmet mobility needs of different groups;
- To gather views and experiences on key issues in the strategy relevant to the target groups;
- To learn of people's interests and concerns;
- To hear people's ideas about policy options;
- To understand the strength of feeling on particular issues.
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