Transport Decision "Short Sighted"

12.00.00am GMT Wed 12th Dec 2007

Following the Finance Secretary's decision not to approve the Regional Transport Partnerships' strategies, Liberal Democrat Transport spokesperson Alison McInnes MSP has lodged a motion for debate in Scottish Parliament. The motion calls for the Government to end the uncertainty over the future of Regional Transport Partnerships by authorising or returning the regional strategies and supplying sufficient funding for RTPs in the Budget.

A meeting was held yesterday between the Finance Secretary and Regional Transport Partnerships where it is understood John Swinney refused to approve the regional transport strategies, which were due to have been ratified by the government by the end of June.

Commenting, Mrs McInnes said:

"In opposition the SNP were unequivocal that RTPs should be given 'the maximum possible powers', and that local authorities are by themselves too small to address regional transport needs. As with so many other issues, now the SNP is in government it is a different story.

"It is quite clear that the Scottish Government no longer understands the role of Regional Transport Partnerships either in delivering the national transport strategy or coordinating regional transport.

"RTPs can play a unique role in strengthening the planning and delivery of regional transport to serve the needs of people and businesses. They have been successful and effective in this role, and have a proven track record in delivering cohesive transport services across local authority boundaries.

"The Government have already placed a question mark over the future of RTPs with the significant cuts to their funding in the Spending Review. The levels of capital and revenue that have either been allocated to transport or rolled up in the local authority settlement falls far short of that required to make significant improvements to regional transport, meaning that key projects are likely to be delayed or scrapped.

"This refusal of the Government to approve or return the transport strategies is exceedingly short sighted. In contrast to their promises in opposition, the SNP Government is determined to place key transport projects across Scotland in jeopardy."