SCOTLAND’S transport network will be “transformed” by an SNP-Green co-operation government if the agreement passes a vote of Green members, Patrick Harvie has said.
The Scottish Greens’ co-leader’s comments come ahead of a crunch vote on Saturday August 28 which will see his party’s membership vote on whether to accept the draft co-operation agreement with the SNP published late last week.
If Green members reject the agreement then the party will not enter government, a result the leadership are keen to avoid.
The draft deal would see the budget for safe walking and cycling routes treble to more than £300 million, as well as £5 billion for maintaining, improving and decarbonising Scotland’s railways.
The Greens also hope to put an end to new major road projects. They say that while the dualling of the A9 will be completed and safety improvements to the A96 will proceed, full dualling of the A96 will be subject to a review of its climate impact.
READ MORE: SNP councillor resigns from party over Greens co-operation agreement
Harvie has said he does not believe the project would pass such a review.
Speaking today, the Green co-leader hailed the “golden opportunity” to reform Scotland’s transport which the co-operation agreement presents.
Harvie went on: “If approved by our party membership, the Scottish Greens would take the lead on transforming Scotland’s transport network by investing in safe walking and cycling infrastructure and addressing affordability on public transport.
“Scotland has not met its climate commitments in recent years, and rising emissions from transport have been one of the main causes of this. Getting back on track means taking determined action to deliver a green, fair and affordable transport system for everyone.
“During lockdown the number of people cycling skyrocketed, as roads were far quieter than usual. But, as traffic levels have returned to normal fewer people have felt safe enough to continue cycling regularly. This agreement would put significant investment into safe routes to ensure everyone is able to walk, wheel and cycle safely in cities, towns and villages across Scotland.
“We also need action to make public transport cheaper, so the deal will mean a review of fares on buses, ferries and trains.
“We are proud to have led the way on introducing free bus travel for under 22s and we want to build on that to ensure Scotland’s public transport network is affordable and accessible to all as we set about building a transport network fit for the 21st century.”
The comments follow those made by Harvie at a Green party question and answer session on the day the co-operation agreement was published.
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Speaking to Green members, the MSP hinted at sweeping reforms for Scotland’s national transport agency.
Saying that Transport Scotland are effectively only “road builders”, Harvie said his party would aim to “transform the governance [of the body] so that their priorities are transport justice and transport sustainability”.
“If you liked what we did to the SQA recently, you’re going to love what we’re going to do to Transport Scotland,” he added.
The SQA will be scrapped under plans to reform Scotland’s examinations system. An expert panel tasked with overseeing the reforms was announced earlier this week.
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