Scots workplace parking levy approved
The Scottish Government has passed a law to allow councils to charge workplaces that offer parking. The Conservatives and Labour in the Scottish Parliament opposed the idea, which means that workers could end up paying to park at work. Opponents had said it wasn’t the time to impose a charge, given companies are trying to […]
Scotland could see a return to bridge tolls
They were removed 14 years ago, but now road tolls could return to Scotland’s bridges and tunnels in an attempt to cut car use. The newspaper The Courier reports that the option has been included in plans being drawn up as part of efforts to reach emissions targets. It quotes the Sunday Times as saying […]
More flexible support to maintain bus services in Scotland
A new grant will help maintain bus services while passenger numbers recover from the effects of the pandemic. From 1 April, the Network Support Grant will replace the COVID Support Grant, COVID Support Grant – Restart and the Bus Service Operators Grant to secure services as part of wider improvements to attract passengers back over the longer […]
A96 contractor shuts office over scheme doubts
It’s reported that one of the contractors working on the scheme to turn the A96 into a dual carriageway has closed an office in Forres, between Inverness and Elgin, because of doubts over whether the work will actually happen. Last October Scotland’s transport minister has refused to confirm if the A96 will be dualled in […]
Report calls for better public-private collaboration to decarbonise Scotland
Government must prioritise collaboration with the private sector to cut fossil fuels and decarbonise transport networks if the country is to meet net-zero targets, according to a new report from Addleshaw Goddard and the Fraser of Allander Institute. The ‘Road to Net Zero: On Track?’ report, which comes ahead of the COP26 UN Climate Change […]
Doubts over A96 dualling
Scotland’s transport minister has refused to confirm if the A96 will be dualled in full, instead promising that there will be a review to determine the way forward. The Press and Journal reports there is a row brewing over the project because Conservatives in Scotland asked the Westminster Government to intervene if the SNP choose […]
SNP conference backs National Transport Company for Scotland
Scottish National Party members have overwhelmingly backed the creation of a National Transport Company in a bid to meet “challenging” climate targets. The pro-independence newspaper The National reports that delegates passed a resolution calling for the creation of a public transport company by 492 to 20, supporting the installation of “core charging and refuelling infrastructure” […]
MP warns over Scottish road building after SNP-Green deal
A Scottish MP is warning that the new deal between the ruling SNP and partners the Greens will affect road building in Scotland because he fears it will “not be as benign as the SNP is currently spinning”. Kenny MacAskill, who quit the SNP for the rival nationalist Alba party earlier in the year, has […]
Amey Consulting wins place on Scottish Framework
Amey Consulting has won a place on the £72.5m Scotland Excel Civil Engineering and Technical Consultancy Framework, open to 32 local Scottish authorities as well as several other Scottish public sector organisations. Having been on the previous generation of the framework, Amey Consulting has expanded its offering and secured two additional lots. In total, the […]
Matheson’s role changes slightly in Scotland
The man responsible for transport in Scotland, Michael Matheson, has been given a wider environmental role in the country’s government’s new cabinet. He takes on a new role as Cabinet Secretary for Net Zero, Energy and Transport. The portfolio brings together cross government responsibility for coordination of Net Zero policy, encompassing transport, environmental protection, energy […]