Transport Bill delivers suite of new powers to Councils to tackle Climate Emergency

The Transport Bill passed today (10/10/19) contains a raft of new powers for councils which campaigners say must now be used to cut climate emissions from how we travel around. Stage 3 of the Bill saw MSPs debating amendments relating to low emission zones, council-run bus services, pavement parking, and workplace parking levy powers.

The Transport Bill passes just two weeks after after MSPs unanimously agreed to increase Scotland’s 2030 climate emission reductions target to a 75% reduction from 1990 levels. Friends of the Earth Scotland say that, as transport is Scotland’s biggest emitting sector, these two new laws must work together coherently.

Key parts of the Bill debated and amended were:

• Workplace parking levy powers.
• Low Emission Zones.
• Public ownership of buses.
• Pavement parking and double parking.

Friends of the Earth Scotland’s Air Pollution Campaigner, Gavin Thomson, said:

“MSPs recently committed to rapidly bring down Scotland’s climate emissions. Transport is our worst polluting sector, and road transport emissions are actually higher than in 1990. The new powers delivered to councils must be used to discourage car use, improve public transport and make it easier and safer to walk or cycle. Local authorities, particularly our city councils, need to transition to greener transport, bringing benefits for air quality whilst also reducing our climate emissions.

“Air pollution is causing a public health crisis, with 2,500 premature deaths every year. Emissions from transport are responsible for a range of health problems, including heart attacks, stroke, and asthma, and young children and the elderly are particularly at risk. Low Emission Zones will improve the air we breathe, by restricting the most polluting vehicles from cities. It is hugely disappointing that MSPs chose to retain 6-year ‘grace periods’ which govern the speed of implementation of the Zones, as we know Councils need to move quicker to protect our health.

“The four city councils which will initially implement Low Emission Zones – Aberdeen, Dundee, Edinburgh, and Glasgow, now have the clarity they need, and we hope to see effective Zones that cover a wide area in cities being introduced quickly.

“Of all the proposals within the Bill, the workplace parking levy powers received the most coverage, and the most cynical distortion. Workplace parking levies have a track record of bringing much needed investment to transport infrastructure, and creating healthier places to live and work. They are an optional power being offered to councils, and Edinburgh and Glasgow Councils both formally asked the Scottish Government for this tool to cut traffic. It won’t be right for every area, but it will combat congestion and air pollution in our city centres. If MSPs are prepared to follow through on their climate commitments, they need to recognise this means changing our polluting, dangerous transport system. Cars must be deprioritised, and public transport needs investment and support.

“Let’s hope that all our councils covering towns and cities can look at this new suite of powers to plan a transport system free of fossil fuelled pollution.”

ENDS