Asked by: Simpson, Graham (Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party - Central Scotland)
Question
To ask the Scottish Government what evidence was used to support the statement in the appraisal summary for recommendation 6 of the second Strategic Transport Projects Review (STPR2) that there has been “effective delivery of behavioural change initiatives in Scotland”, in light of the 2022 Active Travel National Indicator showing that journeys by active travel under two miles have fallen since 2012.
Answered by Hyslop, Fiona - Minister for Transport
STPR2 Recommendation 6 considered a significant body of evidence from projects across Scotland and the UK. This demonstrated that with the provision of specific and targeted information there is potential to change people’s travel behaviour. This includes encouraging more people to walk, wheel and cycle for shorter journeys and to use public transport for trips that they previously used a private car for. The impact of these types of programmes can be more effective when supporting new related infrastructure projects.
The transport appraisal that supported Recommendation 6 considered the evaluation of projects in Scotland undertaken as part of the Smarter Choices Smarter Places programme. This noted that, of the schemes that promoted walking and cycling, around 40% of those people that were reached were more active as a result.
As part of Scotland’s National Performance Framework there is a ‘journeys by active travel’ National Indicator, which monitors the proportion of short journeys that are made only by the active modes of walking and cycling. This shows that whilst there has indeed been a small decline in the percentage of journeys under 2 miles by walking as the main mode, positively the percentage of journeys under 5 miles by cycling as the main mode, has increased since 2012. Transport Scotland will continue to monitor the impacts of all the STPR2 Recommendations, as part of its normal cycle of monitoring and review of the impacts of its investment in Scotland’s transport network.
Mentions:
1: Jim Shannon (DUP - Strangford) If it was, if we have to meet net zero targets, we have to have the infrastructure in place. - Speech Link
2: Rachel Maclean (Con - Redditch) We must make sure, therefore, that the infrastructure is there, whether to support the transition or - Speech Link
3: Rachel Maclean (Con - Redditch) People highlighted the need to increase the amount of cycling and walking space and the number of crossings - Speech Link
4: Rachel Maclean (Con - Redditch) Whether it is walking, cycling, wheeling, or using a car, train or bus, we must continue to work to improve - Speech Link
Mentions:
1: Lord Berkeley (Lab - Life peer) Policy issues on cycling, wheeling, walking et cetera—particular interests of mine—are totally missing.I - Speech Link
2: Baroness Jones of Moulsecoomb (Green - Life peer) are now fighting another court case because they cut £200 million from the promotion of walking and cycling - Speech Link
3: Baroness Jones of Moulsecoomb (Green - Life peer) was eventually accepted that, if you want to change things and to get people more safely walking and cycling - Speech Link
4: None It does not include walking and cycling projects, or public transport other than some rail schemes. - Speech Link
Asked by: Simpson, Graham (Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party - Central Scotland)
Question
To ask the Scottish Government what funding has been allocated to the delivery of the second Strategic Transport Projects Review (STPR2) recommendation 1, and how many kilometres of "connected neighbourhoods" this delivers.
Answered by Hyslop, Fiona - Minister for Transport
The Scottish Government funds a range of projects throughout Scotland that deliver on recommendation 1 of the second Strategic Transport Projects Review (STPR2) to create connected neighbourhoods. This includes funding provided to local authorities via the Sustrans Places for Everyone programme and the new Active Travel Infrastructure fund, and directly through the Cycling Walking Safer Routes (CWSR) grant. Our projects are designed to connect neighbourhoods and communities.
Asked by: Simpson, Graham (Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party - Central Scotland)
Question
To ask the Scottish Government what funding has been allocated for projects under recommendation 4 of the second Strategic Transport Projects Review (STPR2), and where these projects are.
Answered by Hyslop, Fiona - Minister for Transport
Scottish Government funding for active travel projects is not allocated based on STPR2 recommendation delivered. We fund a range of projects throughout Scotland that deliver on recommendation 4 of the second Strategic Transport Projects Review (STPR2) to connect towns by active travel. This includes funding for the National Cycle Network programme, investment in active travel infrastructure on the trunk road network, and funding provided to local authorities via the Sustrans Places for Everyone programme and the new Active Travel Infrastructure fund, and directly through the Cycling Walking Safer Routes (CWSR) grant.
Asked by: Simpson, Graham (Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party - Central Scotland)
Question
To ask the Scottish Government how it is recording growth in active travel along routes funded by the second Strategic Transport Projects Review (STPR2) recommendation 1 on "connected neighbourhoods".
Answered by Hyslop, Fiona - Minister for Transport
The Scottish Government funds a range of projects throughout Scotland that deliver on recommendation 1 of the second Strategic Transport Projects Review (STPR2) to create connected neighbourhoods. This includes funding provided to local authorities via the Sustrans Places for Everyone programme, the new Active Travel Infrastructure fund, and directly through the Cycling Walking Safer Routes (CWSR) grant.
All active travel grants are assessed and awarded against the criteria set in the Active Travel Framework | Transport Scotland . Programmes delivered by partners are monitored and evaluated against the framework using a variety of quantitative and qualitative methods to evidence the impact and confirm delivery of Active Travel outcomes. This includes monitoring the growth in active travel within the study area.
Asked by: Simpson, Graham (Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party - Central Scotland)
Question
To ask the Scottish Government what assessment has been undertaken to determine "the most appropriate prioritisation approach", as described in the affordability section of the second Strategic Transport Projects Review (STPR2) in relation to recommendation 3, and where the results of any such assessment can be found.
Answered by Hyslop, Fiona - Minister for Transport
STPR2 is a national appraisal and identifies recommendations to be delivered over the long term. The delivery of the recommendations is subject to the funding allocations agreed by Parliament each year through the annual budget process.
In the case of Recommendation 3, which focuses on village-town active travel connections, investment will likely be phased over numerous years. Currently, projects are identified by local authorities and regional partners who then apply for funding through the Sustrans Places for Everyone programme, the new Active Travel Infrastructure fund, and directly through the Cycling Walking Safer Routes (CWSR) grant.
In the case of the Active Travel Infrastructure Fund, we accept proposals for funding the construction of various types of active travel interventions, which can include village-town active travel connections.
The assessment and prioritisation of projects considers a multi- criteria approach and includes two main factors: the impact they achieve and the deliverability of the project. Some of the factors considered in the prioritisation of projects are: potential for mode shift; the quality of proposed infrastructure; safety and security; integration with existing active travel infrastructure and/or public transport; impact on the most deprived 20% of communities; impact on community severance; access to schools; access to employment; access to other locations and value for money.
Asked by: Simpson, Graham (Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party - Central Scotland)
Question
To ask the Scottish Government how many village to town routes have been funded under recommendation 3 of the second Strategic Transport Projects Review (STPR2), and what proportion of the total possible routes this represents.
Answered by Hyslop, Fiona - Minister for Transport
The Scottish Government funding for active travel projects is not allocated based on STPR2 recommendation delivered. We fund a range of projects throughout Scotland that deliver on recommendation 3 of the second Strategic Transport Projects Review (STPR2) to connect villages to towns by active travel. This includes funding for the National Cycle Network programme, investment in active travel infrastructure on the trunk road network, and funding provided to local authorities via the Sustrans Places for Everyone programme and the new Active Travel Infrastructure fund, and directly through the Cycling Walking Safer Routes (CWSR) grant.
Mentions:
1: Burgess, Ariane (Green - Highlands and Islands) Can you say a bit more about that idea of homes as infrastructure? - Speech Link
2: None We need that infrastructure. We need that grid. - Speech Link
3: None On infrastructure first, as you say, it is important to have the infrastructure that supports new homes - Speech Link
4: None developments and there is co-sharing and co-housing in places that are safe and green, where we encourage cycling - Speech Link
Found: funding to sports organisations, clubs and initiatives, to develop and implement programmes, support infrastructure