The power sharing agreement in Scotland between the main SNP party and Green party partners is committing to shift money away from roads spending to “provide a realistic and alternative through investing in public transport and active travel.”

In their draft shared policy document, the parties say they believe that transport plays a crucial role in supporting a green and fair recovery, and that “bold action is needed to increase the pace of change and the scale of investment to support the priorities and outcomes set out in the National Transport Strategy, including our ambitious climate goals.” They add that “in the face of the climate emergency we need to shift away from spending money on new road projects that encourage more people to drive.”

Their policy commits to aligning transport policy with climate targets to reduce the distance travelled by car by 20% by 2030, increase the proportion of budget spent on active travel, invest more than £5 billion in “maintaining, improving and decorbonising” Scotland’s rail network and introducing a commission to ensure a sustainable and integrated approach to public transport fares.

The parties also plan to deliver more safe to school initiatives, cut speed limits to 20 mph on “all appropriate roads in built-up areas”, introduce a system to upload dashcam footage to police, as well as linking bus funding to the ability to carry bikes and buggies.

It will also review the decision to dual the A96 all the way between Inverness and Aberdeen.

The full agreement can be read here.

(Picture – Yay Images)