Glasgow Transport Strategy underpins widespread switch to sustainable transport
Glasgow has announced plans to reduce the number of kilometres travelled by car in the city by 30 percent as part of efforts to achieve carbon neutrality by 2030.
With vehicle emissions accounting for a third of the city's carbon output, changes to the transport system are regarded as a vital component in Glasgow's effort to achieve carbon neutrality.
The newly published Glasgow Transport Strategy includes over 100 policies to encourage travellers to opt for sustainable transport choices such as walking, wheeling or cycling or public transport.
Support for the 30% target comes from initiatives such as council's Active Travel Strategy, which includes a proposal to build a city-wide network of segregated cycling infrastructure, and the Liveable Neighbourhoods initiative that will support more local access to essential services and enable shorter, local trips by walking, wheeling and cycling.
Major projects such as the Clyde Metro, which recently received backing in the Scottish Government's Strategic Transport Projects Review, and increased bus priority are seen as key components in the effort to provide a “world-class public transport network that draws people from their personal vehicles”.
With 27% of vehicle journeys in Glasgow one kilometre or less, Councillor Anna Richardson, City Convener for Sustainability and Carbon Reduction, believes there is significant potential for a widespread switch to sustainable transport.
Councillor Richardson said, "A great many trips in vehicles across the city are short and could realistically be achieved by other means. Our task as a council is to ensure there are viable alternatives to help reduce car use.
"Making in-roads on our car use is essential if we are to bring down the carbon emissions that drive climate change. But supporting sustainable transport choices also means we can make city streets safer and more attractive places to be, which in turns helps to improve quality of life for local residents.
The Scottish Government recently set a target of reducing car kilometres by 20% with the expectation that car use in rural and island communities will not necessarily reduce at the same rate as in towns and cities, and there is therefore the expectation that cities will contribute strongly to the national target.