Ministers accused of failing to fulfil key transport promises

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.”