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Chapter 4: Views on Goals and Objectives of NTS
During the course of the focus groups, respondents were asked to comment on the overall aim of the NTS and its objectives. This chapter examines general views of the aim and objectives and subsequent chapters examine each of the objectives in greater detail.
The overall aim of the National Transport Strategy is,
"To promote economic growth, social inclusion, health and protection of our environment through a safe, integrated, effective and efficient transport system."
The objectives of the National Transport Strategy 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, 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.
Respondents were overwhelmingly in favour of the overall aim and objectives of the NTS. There was some discussion in most groups over the relative importance of the particular objectives, with almost all the objectives being prioritised by at least some respondents. Many felt that the environmental objective was especially important:
"I mean we've got to start now, I think. Don't start me now about the planet and everything, but we have to start thinking about things now!"
22-40, female, rural
However, a small number of respondents admitted that they had no environmental concerns:
"To be perfectly honest I really don't care. Well, I'm being honest, and I just think when it all happens I'll be deid, so why worry?!"
22-40, female, rural
Most respondents acknowledged the importance of economic growth for Scotland, although a smaller number felt that increasing economic growth should be the main priority of the NTS. This may be due to a lack of recognition for some as to how different strands of the NTS fit together. So, while most respondents acknowledged the importance of economic growth in general, this was not perceived to be a primary aim of the NTS. As a result, economic growth as a goal in itself was largely rejected by most respondents.
"I think economic growth for the sake of it or not, or as a goal in itself, is a bit sterile."
LGBT, urban
Even some of those who felt that facilitating economic growth was a priority for transport development did so in terms of the benefits that it would allow:
"There must be a happy medium [between environmental and economic objectives]."
22-40, female, rural
While the goals and objectives of the document were considered laudable, there was a considerable amount of cynicism as to whether they would actually be met.
"That sounds like a fantastic ideal... It's pie in the sky... I mean I don't want to be negative but..!"
Visual impairment, urban
By and large, this cynicism was based upon the view that the same claims and/ or initiatives had been introduced previously and that nothing or very little had changed in the light of these.
Some respondents also noted that however much the Scottish Executive planned a National Transport Strategy, this could not be instigated without the co-operation of many other organisations and individuals within the transport sector. So, while there was a recognised need for an increase in use of public transport and a decrease in car usage, most respondents found it difficult in the first instance to hypothesise how this could come about. There was also a degree of cynicism as to how road hauliers would be persuaded to use rail in preference to road, particularly as Scotland was criticised for a lack of rail links, especially outwith major cities and towns.
"It's good to have this but it's not just down to the Scottish Executive is it? They will have to work hard to persuade bus companies and the like that they have to introduce more public transport."
45-59, male & female, general public, urban
That said, while there was a lack of confidence on the part of most respondents that an NTS would bring about change, there was recognition by a small number of respondents that this necessary radical change should be achievable. As one respondent commenting on a possible ban on cars in city centres noted,
"Well it's the same with the smoking ban. Who would have thought they would introduce that? And people just got used to it."
45-59, male & female, general public, urban
Despite many having doubts about the possibility of radical change in transport in Scotland, a large number welcomed the chance to participate in the focus groups, although a small number wondered the extent to which their views would be considered:
"They don't listen at all."
60-70 mixed urban
"They listen, they maybe can't do a lot about it but they are normal people like ourselves they are trying to do their best really."
60-70, male & female, urban
"I don't think they really think much about the grassroots, the common people."
Hearing impairment, urban
On more than one occasion, respondents did suggest that the Scottish Parliament record on consultation was better than that in Westminster.
"I think they do consult more widely in the Scottish Parliament than they do in Westminster. And they are prepared to listen to any views, whether they act on it I am not sure."
Visual impairment, urban
"I mean, to be fair to the Scottish Executive, compared to Westminster, they are making much more effort to ask the opinion of people... and you know, try and make equalities part of everything they do."
Mobility impairment, urban
One or two respondents also queried figures quoted in the consultation document and how these had been reached.
"'In so many years time there's going to be so many more cars'. How do they know that? How do you know there's going to be that many people?"
Hearing impairment, urban
In particular, some disabled respondents in one group commented that it was vital that disabled individuals had an opportunity to contribute to the consultation process prior to strategy plans being drawn up.
"We need to be involved at the planning stages of anything, rather than [at] the consultative stages."
Visual impairment, urban
However, it is worth noting that the importance of transport was implicitly accepted by all respondents, regardless of what form(s) of transport they used. In particular, the extent to which public transport can provide benefits that many of us take for granted was stressed by two individuals with learning difficulties, for whom a trip outside their urban environment had proved very refreshing and stimulating.
"Yeah, you get to see things you wouldn't normally see.
Like sheep, like cows, and like goats and…!"
Learning difficulties, urban
Some other respondents also noted the extent to which we all take transport for granted and the increase in the number of journeys and type of journeys that most people undertake in todays world. Most of our older respondents noted that holidays taken when they were young tended to be relatively local and sometimes only had the option of using public transport to reach a destination, but that nowadays most of them would be taking at least one holiday abroad, sometimes to relatively distant locations.
In summary,
- There was widespread acceptance of the need for a National Transport Strategy.
- Most respondents felt that the overall aim and objectives of the NTS were correct, although the way they link together was not recognised by all. So, there was a failure on the part of some to recognise the link between say economic growth and changes to modes of transport.
- There was a degree of cynicism as to how this strategy would be implemented and the ways in which different transport providers would work together with the Scottish Executive to ensure that the NTS meets its overall aim and overarching objectives.
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