Scottish budget sets aside £1.1bn for trunk roads
The Scottish Government has set out plans for transport in its budget. It says in 2025-26, it intends to spend nearly £1.1 billion to ensure Scotland’s trunk road network is well maintained and enhanced, and progress major road projects, including dualling the A9 (pictured) and improving the A83. It adds that a key aspect of […]
Scottish Transport Secretary warns of budgetary challenges
It’s being reported Scotland’s Transport Secretary Fiona Hyslop has warned SNP government colleagues that her department is running at a loss and had made “all viable savings” after being asked to make further cuts. The Sunday Times this weekend said Ms Hyslop warned the finance secretary that the transport portfolio “has been carrying a significant […]
New campaign launched as speeding revealed as the cause of one in five Scottish road deaths
The Scottish Government has introduced a road safety campaign to tackle the one in five road deaths in the country caused by speeding. The campaign will run across all digital platforms, including TV, radio and online. Transport Secretary Fiona Hyslop and Police Scotland Chief Superintendent Hilary Sloan launched the scheme at Traffic Scotland’s national control […]
Active travel projects in Scotland “shelved”
Projects to encourage Scottish people to leave their cars at home and choose active travel options look set to be shelved as the Scottish Government cuts all but essential spending. Government funding to Sustrans Scotland has been halted, forcing the organisation to pause a number of projects in its Places for Everyone programme, says The […]
Scottish Government to invest £41.7 million in bus decarbonisation
Scotland’s First Minister John Swinney has announced that an innovative bus industry consortium will deliver 252 new zero-emission buses and coaches to Scotland’s roads, backed by Scottish Government investment. £41.7 million grant funding will support eight operators, led by electric vehicle fleet specialist Zenobē, to deliver the buses along with a Scotland-wide charging network for […]
Scotland to consider integrated ticketing for public transport
The Scottish Government is considering introducing a TfL-style ticket system for public transport across the country. Energy Secretary Mairi McAllan said this would be explored as part of a new strategy to reduce car journeys by 20%, as she confirmed reports that the Government was cancelling a key climate target. She told MSPs the Government was […]
Emails suggest A96 dualling pledge abandoned earlier than thought
It’s being claimed the promise to dual the A96 by 2030 was quietly dropped more than three years ago – even though officially the deadline hasn’t been dropped at all. The Northern Scot Newspaper in an exclusive report says it’s seen emails which show then-Transport Secretary Michael Matheson MSP, civil servants and Transport Scotland officials […]
Transport becomes cabinet post in Scotland
Scotland’s First Minister has elevated transport minister Fiona Hyslop to a full cabinet member, as the previous cabinet minister for the sector, Mairi McAllan concentrates on Wellbeing Economy, Net Zero and Energy. The reshuffle took place after the resignations of Elena Whithamin and Michael Matheson from the cabinet last week. Ms Whithamin stepped down for […]
Scottish government accused of “secret talks” to bring back Edinburgh Congestion Charge
Scotland’s SNP/Green administration and Edinburgh city council are said to be plotting to revive the idea of a congestion charge in the country’s capital, nearly 20 years after residents rejected the plan. The Scottish Daily Express reports the City’s transport convener Scott Arthur has revealed that officials are “working with the Scottish Government on pay-as-you-drive”, adding “that’s […]
Edinburgh councillor hails new pavement parking ban
The head of transport in Edinburgh has hailed the city’s new rules banning parking on pavements as “leading the way” on enforcing the Scotland-wide prohibition. Scottish regulations giving councils the power to enforce the new rules came into effect on 11 December, aimed at addressing “the inconvenience inconsiderate parking causes to all road users, in […]