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One of the most politically sensitive issues in terms of the social change required to achieve a low carbon future is that of transport.
The Scottish Government is wedded to transport policies which pull primarily in the wrong direction as regards climate. Expenditure on motorways and trunk roads is high and rising, with rail funding down in the draft 16/17 budget and active travel investment (i.e. cycling and walking) stuck below 2% of total transport spending. Early populist policies including the abolition of Forth and other Bridge tolls and hospital parking charges are now followed by the intent to scrap Air Passenger Duty. Such policies redistribute resources from the general taxpayer to car owners and air passengers; they also encourage more use of unsustainable travel means and, in a vicious circle, the dispersion of jobs, homes, facilities and holidays - all of which impact negatively on sustainable transport modes and on emissions.
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