| The need to establish an integrated transport network for the Highlands and Islands
Local authorities in the Highlands have been handed a golden opportunity to set up a special transport authority to run integrated services across the region.
This was highlighted by Scottish Office Transport Minister Calum MacDonald at a conference in Inverness.
The Western Isles MP, who is also Highlands and Islands minister, put the onus on the relevant councils to come with proposals which will decentralise all aspects of transport control - a move supported by Highlands and Islands Enterprise transport specialist Roy Pedersen.
The conference, entitled "Scottish Parliament: What can it do for rural transport", was organised by the Robert Gordon University in Aberdeen and held in the Highland Council chambers.
Also addressing the event were Dr John Farrington of Aberdeen University and Professor David Begg, chairman of transport at Robert Gordon University.
Mr MacDonald told delegates: "The islands, mountains and lochs which make up the distinctive physical geography of Scotland's rural areas present major transoprt challenges which can best be tackled by those who live there. That is why the Government is bringing transport closer to the people at a regional and local level.
We are encouraging every council to draw up local transport strategies for their area and recently published guidance asking them to prepare interim strategies by the end of July 1999. This is an opportunity for rural areas to think systematically and strategically about their transport problems and make major improvements to people's lives."
He added that, while councils would take centre stage in the delivery of local transport, he was also looking for them, where necessary to look beyond their own boundaries and draw up integrated systems with their neighbours. A regional transport body would 'ensure lifeline links were preserved and enhanced".
"This has vast implications for the Highlands and Islands," Mr MacDonald continued. "I have been greatly encouraged by the co-operation on transport issues shown by the Highlands and Islands Integrated Transport Forum and I would encourage this work to continue.
The region must ask itself what it can do with these new responsibilities and powers and what it can do differently and better. A Regional Transport Partnership in the Highlands and Islands would be a golden opportunity for a massive re-distribution of power and responsibility to the region. Local authorities working together could, themselves, manage and develop ferry services to the northern and Western Isles, airport and air services in the region and a range of other transport services."
The conference also heard that such a body was essential to cope with any growth in island economies and tackle travel pressures in the 21st century.
This warning was issued by Mr Pedersen, who forecast that even modest growth in island communities over the next 20 years could lead to a doubling of ferry traffic.
He called for closer co-operation between ferry operators, public agencies, the private sector and central government to ensure sea crossings play a meaningful role in the economic development of some of Scotland's most fragile areas.
"Many of our island communities currently face severe economic problems and suffer high rates of unemployment," he said. "As Highlands and Islands Enterprise and its partner organisations work to develop these economies through growing local businesses and attract inward investment, ferry services will need to match the increased demand."
Along with a transport authority, Mr Pedersen suggested a number of other ways in which these services might be developed. Among them were shorter crossing routes, to cut travel times and fares and faster and more specialised vessels.
He stressed the development of any ferry service suitable for the next century would require careful planning and development of new and existing regulations. This, he said, would only be possible if a specific transport authority for the whole of the Highlands and Islands was created with responsibilities for roads, public transport, airports, air services and ferries.
"The advantage of such a proactive authority would be its ability to plan the long-term development of the area's transport system on aholistic basis," said Mr Pedersen. "In turn, this would allow the Highlands and Islands as a whole to make the most of the development opportunities which will arise in the new millenium."
Meanwhile, delegates were told that new taxes enforced on motorists in cities could be used to benefit remote communities.
Dr Farrington and Prof Begg both made the claim against the backdrop of Highlands and Islands car users being doubly punished through high fuel costs and a reliance on private transport.
Dr Farrington, who has researched transport in remote communities since the 1970s, suggested setting up a rurla isolation fund which would be used to support the most fragile of areas. He added that revenue could be raised from fuel duty in rural areas, urban road pricing and taxes on parking in cities.
But he warned that Government plans for a six per cent annual rise in fuel tax would eventually double the price of fuel and have a significant effect on people in rural areas. While better-off families would cope with these increases, he said, they would pose a serious difficulty to a significant minority of the less well-off.
Prof. Begg - who is an adviser to Deputy Prime Minister John Prescott and is also Edinburgh's transport convener - argued that money raised from motorists through increasing taxes and then put back into public transport, could benefit poorer people.
He said: "However, in small rural communities it is very difficult to provide public transport.... and there is a social exclusion issue here in rural areas if fuel prices continue to rise." He explained that it was too simplistic just to keep rural prices down as, if costs were reduced, people may travel further to shops and to jobs, adversely affecting local services.
Calum MacDonald claimed the push for greater decentralisation was being backed by major additional funding for rural transport. This, he said, wou;d improve accessibility, increase public transport and safeguard lifeline services.
Mr MacDonald said that, this year, local authorities will receive £3.5 million for new public transport services; £1 million will go to 32 projects under the community transport intiative and a £90 million Public Transport Fund will allow the Government to channel funds into ambitious new projects in rural, as well as urban, areas.
"This does not mean we are ant-car," he stressed. "The government recognises that rural areas often depend on the car and that locally available and affordable fule supplies are vital. We are making available £400,000 per year to support rural petrol stations.
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