Ministers accused of failing to fulfil key transport promises

The Scottish government is failing to meet most of its key commitments on sustainable transport, according to the campaign group Transform Scotland.

It says Scottish ministers have failed to keep most of their recent promises – by holding back funds, and failing to deliver key plans.

The Scottish government says it is facing what it calls the most challenging financial situation since devolution.

But says it is still spending almost £3.87bn on transport this year, with £2bn supporting bus and rail travel.

Transform Scotland said its report “In Reverse” had found that the Scottish government had failed to meet seven out of 10 key commitments made over the past five years to invest in, and prioritise, sustainable transport.

It wants to see more investment in buses, walking and cycling.

The report, published in advance of this week’s Programme for Government announcement, calls on First Minister John Swinney to comprehensively review the spending commitments of Transport Scotland and reverse the cuts to public transport and active travel investment.

Report author Laura Hyde-White said there had been a “grievous failure” in active travel investment, with only £137m spent of a planned £320m allocated for the healthiest modes of transport in this year’s budget.

Transform Scotland director Colin Howden, said: “Our report demonstrates that the Scottish government has now clearly reneged on the majority of its key commitments made over the past five years to invest in, and prioritise, sustainable transport.

“The first minister has stated that his government’s priorities are to eradicate child poverty, grow Scotland’s economy, and tackle the climate emergency.

“But we see little correspondence between these welcome policy priorities and the transport budget’s actual spending.

“Transport Scotland’s budget has increased year-on-year despite the organisation’s comprehensive failure to drive modal shift or cut traffic levels.”

A Transport Scotland spokesperson said difficult choices had to be made, with the Scottish government facing the most challenging financial situation since devolution.

“During 2024-25 we will spend over £3.87bn on transport across Scotland, including almost £430m in funding for concessionary travel and bus services,” they said, adding that more than £1.6bn would be invested in operating, maintaining and improving Scotland’s railway.

The spokesperson also said the Scottish government would be providing more than £1bn to support Scotland’s trunk road network and investing £526m to expand support for rural and island connectivity.

“We are committed to making sustainable travel a more attractive option, which is why we invest over £2bn annually to support public transport including providing up to 2.3 million people in Scotland with access to free bus travel,” the spokesperson added.

“On active travel, we have already distributed over £145m of our 2024-25 budget to delivery partners for infrastructure and schemes which will work to transform communities and reduce barriers to everyday walking, wheeling and cycling.”