New vision for increasing everyday cycling across Scotland
The Scottish Government has published a new plan to increase everyday cycling across the country. It comes as funding for all forms of active travel – or walking, wheeling and cycling – is at record levels, with even more investment to come. The new Cycling Framework for Active Travel supports the 2030 Active Travel Vision – where […]
Questionmarks over Scotland’s commitment to transport as cabinet post missing in new administration
Transport has been dropped from the title of the new cabinet secretary believed to be responsible for it at the highest level of the Scottish Government. The Scotsman newspaper understands that Màiri McAllan (pictured with her cabinet colleagues, second from left, top row) will take overall charge of transport as part of her portfolio in […]
Over 50 million free journeys made by under 22s in Scotland
Over 50 million free bus journeys have been made since the Scottish Government introduced free bus travel for under 22s over a year ago, it has reported. The Scottish Government’s concessionary bus travel schemes are the most generous in the UK, with over 2 million people across Scotland now eligible for free bus travel. Everyone in […]
Councillors call for A9 parliamentary enquiry
Councillors at The Highland Council in Scotland have agreed a joint motion deploring the decision of the Scottish Government to delay the dualling of the A9. They say the “horrendous” spate of accidents and resultant fatalities on the single carriageway sections of the road has brought misery to families from across the country and beyond its […]
Scottish transport minister apologises for A9 upgrade delays
Scotland’s transport minister Jenny Gilruth has apologised for her Government’s failure to realise its promise to dual the A9 by its 2025 deadline. In an exclusive interview with Highland News & Media, Ms Gilruth said: “I recognise the frustration here and I do apologise to the communities in the north of Scotland, it should have […]
New “don’t drive tired” campaign launched in Scotland
The Scottish Government and Road Safety Scotland have launched a new anti-fatigue campaign. It says driver fatigue causes hundreds of road accidents each year, and that these accidents are roughly 50% more likely to result in death or serious injury. The campaign explains that when drivers fall asleep, the police find no signs of braking, […]
A9 dualling “challenging” – Minister
Scottish Transport Minister Jenny Gilruth says turning the A9 into a dual carriageway by 2025 remains “challenging” as pressure mounts on the Scottish Government to deliver rapid improvements over rising road deaths. 13 people have died on the 112-mile stretch between Perth and Inverness since July, which is the section due to be dualled. The […]
Scottish government urged to cut public transport fares to reduce car use
A new cross-party report by members of the Scottish Parliament are calling for a review of public transport fares as a study shows they have risen “well above inflation”. The Scotsman newspaper says the group at Holyrood says the cost of public transport needs to be cut in real terms. The paper says that in […]
MSP presses for A9 dualling meeting
A Highlands and Islands Labour MSP has called again for a meeting with Scotland’s Transport Minister to press for urgent progress on the dualling of the A9. Reacting to eight deaths in three months on a 25-mile stretch of the road, the Strathspey and Badenoch Herald quotes Rhoda Grant as saying, “I continue to have […]
Edinburgh parking pricing criticised as fines can be cheaper than charges
Edinburgh’s transport convener is warning that Scottish Government rules means it is cheaper for motorists to accept a fine than pay the parking fee in some parts of the city. The Edinburgh Evening News says Scott Arthur has accused the government of a “massive slap in the face” to law-abiding motorists after it refused his […]