Tayside transport bosses are considering backing road charges as they work to meet climate change targets.
Members of the Tayside and Central Scotland Transport Partnership (Tactran) are consulting on a wide range of measures as they finalise the regional transport strategy for Dundee, Perth and Kinross, Angus and Stirling between 2023 and 2033.
The proposals come with a warning that a ‘business as usual’ approach will not deliver on key Scotland-wide targets such as reducing the number of kilometres people drive by 20% in less than eight years.
The consultation paper suggests “road users could be charged either for the length of trip made or for entering a specific area, such as a city centre, to encourage the use of sustainable modes to make the trip.”
Tactran is one of Scotland’s seven statutory Regional Transport Partnerships. Officials, councillors and members of the public sit in the group.
Time to consider ‘what we can do differently’
Mark Speed is Tactran partnership director.
He said: “The national climate change action plan has set ambitious targets in relation to transport relating to the adoption of electric and low emission vehicles. That is as well as reducing the distances people travel in private cars.
“The national climate change targets have been recognised by the councils in the region in their respective Climate Emergency Plans, who all either seek to achieve or better the overall ambition.
“Nonetheless, we don’t underestimate what may be required to achieve these important targets, and recognise that we may need to consider what we can do differently to achieve these targets, including a step change in sustainable transport provision.
“We also recognise that hitting these targets may require significant changes in travel behaviour for people.”
Members of the partnership are seeking the public’s view on around 40 “potential measures” that could transform transport in the area.
Reducing parking spaces also under consideration
Other measures under consideration include reducing parking space numbers, giving more carriageway space to active or more sustainable forms of transport and redirecting some drivers onto “or less direct routes for the benefit of the wider network.”
The paper also contains measures designed to boost public transport, improve connectivity between major towns and cities in the region – such as work on the Kingsway in Dundee or at Broxden roundabout in Perth – and developing better services to reduce the need for travel.
Tactran has launched the consultation against the backdrop of widespread public transport failings in the region.
Bus companies are struggling to recruit and retain drivers while scores of routes face the axe as the Scottish Government reduces Covid-era financial support.
The Scottish Government has also slashed train services as it moved Scotrail into public ownership.
Perth SNP councillor Andrew Parrott is Tactran chairman.
He urged members of the public to share their views.
“Achieving this scale of change within the timescales of the climate change targets will require measures that drive behaviour change for those that can afford the choice between the private car and public transport,” he added.
Conversation