Huge rise in Scottish road traffic sparks call for 'bold action'

Ministers are planning a tax on car parking spaces to stop traffic levels increasing. Picture Michael Gillen

Ministers were told to take "bold action" today after they revealed traffic on Scotland's roads has increased by nearly one third since 1995.

The Scottish Greens said the "stark" 31 per cent increase had caused "ever more congestion and air pollution".

They also attacked opponents of the planned workplace parking levy, which seeks to reduce traffic by taxing parking spaces.

Vehicles travelled a record 30 billion miles on Scottish roads in 2017-18, according to Transport Scotland - 3 per cent more than the previous year.

Traffic on motorways and other main roads has more than doubled since 1975.

There were also more vehicles licensed north of the Border than ever before - 3 million - which was 13 per cent higher than ten years before.

One in eight journeys were delayed by congestion, but it was 2 per cent down on 2007.

John Finnie, transport spokesman for the Greens, whose support enabled the minority SNP Scottish Government’s Budget to be passed, said: “Bold action must be taken to address the thousands of deaths attributable to poor air quality every year.

He also attacked opponents of the planned workplace parking levy to stem traffic growth: “Continued inaction is irresponsible, and those who would deny local authorities the powers necessary to save lives should seriously reflect on their position.”

He added: “Many view the increasing availability of electric vehicles as a panacea for all motoring ills.

"But, self-evidently, the means of propulsion, whilst welcome in terms of emissions, does nothing to alter the dominance of motor cars in our town and city centres, and with it the view that they are more important than pedestrians and cyclists.

"Greens want to see a significant increase of vehicles on our roads, but these vehicles should be buses whose passage is eased by the removal of private motor vehicles from our currently heavily-polluted town and city centres.”

Mr Finnie also expressed fears about the "disappointing" continued decline in bus passenger numbers, and a fall in cycling despite ministers "vision" of 10 per cent of journeys by bike by next year.

Bus patronage fell to 388 million in 2017, nearly 100m less than a decade before and 6m less than 2016.

Mr Finnie said: "The transport bill [increasing powers over operators] presents an excellent opportunity to improve bus services across Scotland, allowing communities to access the services so many rely on.

"If the Scottish Government does not increase its ambition on bus services, I will bring forward my own amendments which will offer communities across Scotland better buses.

“It’s clear that the Scottish Government’s active travel [cycling and walking] targets won’t be met, with the number of people cycling down by more than 6 per cent.

"The transport secretary [Michael Matheson] must urgently review his approach to ensure we see the necessary investment in walking and cycling."

However, Mr Finnie welcomed the increase in passengers carried by ScotRail.