By Steve Bargeton, political editor

MINISTERS UNVEILED their transport blueprint for the next 20 years yesterday but made no new commitments to specific projects.

Transport Minister Tavish Scott made it clear that the “very significant” decision whether or not to build a new Forth crossing would not be taken until next summer—after the Holyrood elections in May.

He outlined the general direction of travel for transport over the next two decades but came in for heavy criticism from opposition parties for a lack of detail.

He painted a picture of the motorist coming under increasing pressure with national speed limits more strictly enforced on motorways and trunk roads as part of the Executive’s plan to reduce carbon emissions.

Cities and towns would have more “car-free spaces” with people being encouraged to cycle and walk more.

And there was strong support for the idea of a UK-wide road pricing scheme, as recommended in last week’s Eddington Report.

But Mr Scott said any new road tolls would have to be balanced against the existing charges motorists pay and would have to be on a UK-wide basis.

High-speed rail links, which could see journey times between Scotland and London cut to three hours in the medium term, would also be investigated.

Journey times between Edinburgh and Glasgow could be improved through faster services while journey times throughout the rest of Scotland could benefit from revised stopping patterns.

“We want to see our towns and cities better connected, with more comfortable, reliable and faster journeys,” said Mr Scott.

“We want to see Scotland’s businesses move their goods to market efficiently, reliably and competitively. And we want to reduce emissions.”

He added, “This strategy will not gather dust. It is not about starry-eyed ministers. It is about securing our future.”

The strategy, which is to be reviewed every four years, failed to impress opposition parties at Holyrood.

The Scottish Tories criticised the fact that no mention was made of a new Forth crossing.

Transport spokesman David Davidson said, “That alone is reason enough to seriously question this document which at times amounts to little more than a wish list of future aspirations and lacks the real level of detail needed.

“The omission lays bare Labour and the Lib Dems’ pretence about building a new bridge.

“But, with so many major transport projects already in the pipeline, the Executive must make clear which projects it deems to have the highest priority—something it has consistently failed to do.”

SNP transport spokesman Fergus Ewing dismissed it as “superfluous window dressing.”

“This publication is long on rhetoric, but short on action. Our roads are congested and our rail infrastructure is not up to scratch, but this report fails to deal adequately with any of the challenges facing Scotland’s transport system today,” he said.

“After over seven years of inaction this 86-page report is simply more superfluous window dressing and a waste of hard working taxpayers money.”

The Scottish Greens dismissed it as “incoherent greenwash” that promised something for everyone but will not deliver the transport system that Scotland needs.

“We already have systems available today to tackle congestion in the major urban areas,” said transport spokesman Mark Ballard.

“We need action now, not just discussion about future technologies.”

The CBI welcomed the strategy. CBI Scotland director Iain McMillan said, “This strategy is a significant step towards providing the transport system Scotland needs if it is to support business, raise its long-term growth rate, and ensure a more prosperous economy.

“Now that the strategy has been published, attention must turn towards delivering the next tranche of transport capacity improvements Scotland needs for the future.”

On road pricing National Alliance Against Tolls Scotland spokesman John McGoldrick claimed massive amounts of money would be wasted on collection and enforcement and said the scheme would be unpopular with drivers.

“Drivers are already paying one billion pounds a week in taxes. They want better roads not a toll tax,” he said.

l See comment on Page 10.