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 […]
An unintended consequence of free bus travel in Scotland – a rise in antisocial behaviour?
It’s reported bus operators in Scotland have seen an increase in anti-social behaviour since a flagship scheme allowing young Scots to travel for free was launched. The newspaper The Herald says it comes amid growing concern among local councillors and community campaigners across Scotland that the scheme could also be behind a rise in youth crime and […]
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 […]
Women and girls’ forced to change their travel habits in order to feel safe on public transport in Scotland, new study finds
Women and girls are being forced to adapt their own behaviour and change their travel habits in order to feel safe on public transport, according to research commissioned by Transport Scotland. Now a report has made 10 recommendations to help them feel safer, including: Transport Minister Jenny Gilruth said: “Everyone has the right to feel […]
SNP leadership hopeful promises action on A9 dualling
One of the MSPs in the running to become Scotland’s First Minister is promising to publish a revised timetable for the dualling of the A9 road by June this year if she’s elected to the job. The Press and Journal says Kate Forbes warns failure to do so could result in a completion date of […]
Scottish LEZ projects “already cost £36m”
Preparation work for Low Emission Zones in four cities in Scotland has cost £36 million before any of them are up and running. The Scottish Daily Express reports the schemes being set up in Glasgow (pictured), Edinburgh, Aberdeen and Dundee have run up costs for grants given to councils to help them run their schemes […]
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 […]
Kincardine Bridge contract awarded to Balfour Beatty as works get the go-ahead
Transport Scotland has awarded the £16.85m contract to replace an 80-metre section of the Kincardine Bridge to Balfour Beatty. The project, with main works on site expected to get underway from early summer, will involve demolishing the Kincardine Bridge’s southern piled viaduct and replacing it with a completely new reinforced concrete structure. Construction is expected […]
Scottish Government launches sustainable scrappage pilot
The Scottish Government is offering cash incentives and “Travel Better” vouchers for households in an attempt to remove the more polluting cars from the roads. The £900,000 Mobility and Scrappage fund is to be piloted in lower income and Air Quality Management Areas in Scotland, including the Islands communities. The fund, delivered by Energy Saving […]
New junction opens on M9
The new Junction 1B on the M9 west of Edinburgh is partially opened today (Friday 10 February). The slip roads onto northbound routes mark the first stage of a £50m programme to upgrade transport links to the expanding town of Winchburgh. Transport Scotland says that, as well as serving new housing and business, the construction […]
