SNP accused of falling short on travel pledge :: 12/01/2012 :: Airport Parking News
Environmentalists have accused the SNP of reneging on its pledges to bicycle commuters and ‘active’ travellers.
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SNP accused of falling short on travel pledge
Thursday, 12th January 2012
The Scottish National Party had promised to increase spending on transport methods that are active, low-carbon and sustainable. However, officials from Transform Scotland, a campaign group promoting sustainable travel in Scotland, said this week that funding to promote cycling and walking had been reduced by 33 per cent in the draft budget, dropping from £18.5 million in 2010/2011 to just £12.6 million in 2012/2013, despite an increase in the overall transport budget.
In response, hundreds of cyclist demonstrated outside of St Andrew's House and Scottish Government facilities in Edinburgh on Wednesday. The group also handed over a letter addressed to transport minister Keith Brown listing their concerns and calling for action.
Stop Climate Chaos Scotland chairman Tom Ballantine said that the SNP had had promised to increase funds for active travel in their manifesto, rather than reduce them. He said it was not acceptable that instead the funding was being reduced by a third and that Mr Brown’s argument that Westminster cuts were responsible was “nonsense” because there is an overall increase in transport spending in the new draft budget.
The Scottish Government is amid a commitment to reduce carbon emissions by 42 per cent in the next eight years, which Ballantine says is now at risk.
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