26 October 2011
Draft Budget fails sustainable transport
Transform Scotland
has submitted its evidence to the Parliament's Infrastructure and Capital Investment Committee ahead of director Colin Howden's appearance before the Committee next week.
Our evidence concludes that the the Draft Budget:
- Does not prioritise the best interventions for promoting economic activity within Scotland.
- Puts into doubt the Government’s legal obligations under the Climate Change (Scotland) Act 2009.
- Does continue investment in certain key public transport projects.
- However, continues to prioritise spending on road-building ahead of investment in sustainable transport.
- Removes (or threatens to remove) funding from key sustainable transport budgets, in particular: (i) Active Travel; (ii) Rail Freight; (iii) Bus investment.
- Fails to take the opportunities available to it to raise funds rather than implement cuts.
- Makes no progress in implementing a meaningful carbon assessment mechanism of the Budget process.