Bus upgrade plans in Scotland “abandoned”
A budget to transform public transport and make it greener in a large part of Scotland has been withdrawn by the Scottish government. The Herald newspaper reports issues with funding has led to the scrapping of plans to electrify a bus fleet. It says it has emerged that the Scottish Government has slashed funding for […]
Business leaders warn A9’s reputation is damaging Highland economy
There’s a warning that visitors and business people are being deterred from going to the Scottish Highlands because of the “bad reputation” of the A9. The Scotsman Newspaper quotes the Inverness Chamber of Commerce telling members of the Scottish Parliament that companies and staff could be reluctant to move to the region “because of the […]
Peak fares removal pilot in Scotland dates confirmed as government looks towards sustainable travel
The Scottish Government has today confirmed that the ScotRail Peak Fares Removal Pilot will operate between 2 October 2023 and 29 March 2024 In an update to Parliament, the Minister confirmed dates for the pilot which forms a key part of the transport commitments in its recently published Programme for Government. During the pilot, all […]
More bus powers for local authorities in Scotland
The Scottish Government has now set out regulations that enable local transport authorities to explore the bus franchising and partnership powers in the Transport (Scotland) Act 2019, giving them more options to improve bus services in their own areas. The new powers, set out in the Programme for Government, will come into effect on 4 December, […]
New active travel route open at Ravenscraig
A new path for pedestrians and cyclists is open between Craigneuk and New College Lanarkshire’s Motherwell Campus at Ravenscraig. It connects, at Meadowhead Bridge, with the existing active travel route to The Craig public park and Ravenscraig Regional Sports Facility. Lighting, seating and CCTV has been installed along the route, with trees being planted on the embankment in […]
Scottish Government spending £5m on LEZ support
The Scottish Government is providing £5 million to re-open the Low Emission Zone Support Fund for 2023-24, offering cash incentives and Travel Better credits, if non-compliant vehicles are removed from Scotland’s roads. Administered by Energy Saving Trust, this programme is means-tested and offers help to those seen as most affected by the introduction of LEZs. […]
Scottish Transport Secretary vague over dualling timetables
The new Scottish Transport Secretary Mairi McAllan has failed to confirm if an expected update on dualling the A9 will include dates for the remaining sections waiting to be upgraded. The Press and Journal newspaper reports there is also little clarity about the A96 dualling timetable, after questions over the impact of a climate report. […]
Scotland names new transport team as remit returns to cabinet
Scotland’s Transport portfolio is being restored as a Cabinet position as First Minister Humza Yousaf changed Màiri McAllan’s Cabinet Secretary remit to ‘Transport, Net Zero and Just Transition’. Alongside this change, former Cabinet Secretary Fiona Hyslop re-joins government as the new Minister for Transport. Ms Hyslop has previously held multiple ministerial roles, including responsibility for […]
Timber transport boost for Scotland
Sixteen new projects are being set up to improve Scotland’s timber transport infrastructure, decarbonise the forestry sector and take pressure off rural roads used by communities. The projects will create new haulage routes away from busy villages, build passing places on narrow roads, upgrade existing fragile roads and promote the shipping of timber by sea. […]
Consultation starts on delivering thriving local communities in Scotland
People in Scotland are being asked for their views on how the planning system can support healthy, thriving and connected communities as part of a consultation launched by the Scottish Government. As part of implementation of National Planning Framework 4 (NPF4), draft guidance has been prepared to support people to meet the majority of their […]