Swinney in bid to spend more on capital projects
I wonder what cycling's share will be? To my mind Capital Projects = Roads and Railways to nowhere. Cynic? Moi?
CityCyclingEdinburgh Forum » Debate!
Swinney in bid to spend more on capital projects
(26 posts)-
Posted 13 years ago #
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Whenever I see "capital projects" in this sort of context I tend to think "New Forth Bridge", I'm afraid... Is that going to have a cycle lane on it?
Posted 13 years ago # -
PS - no. The new Forth Crossing will be for motorised traffic only. The Scottish Government proposes keeping the current Forth Road Bridge open for buses, taxis, cyclists and pedestrians.
However, picture the scene...big tailback leading up to the new Forth Crossing at 7.30am. Scottish Minister stuck in traffic looks over at effectively empty Forth Road Bridge. Hmmm, wonder if we could use that "just at rush hour obviously"
Posted 13 years ago # -
Will it, I wonder, include conceding defeat over the tram, admitting it was a first class blunder... Yep, roll out that next project the NEW Third Forth Road Bridge... or perhaps more golf courses, you know really useful stuff!!
Posted 13 years ago # -
There was a time when it would mooted that the new Forth crossing would have a tram or light rail deck to it...
Posted 13 years ago # -
The Tram problems got a slot on R4 Today this morning. About 17 minutes from the end for anyone who wants to Listen Again.
Posted 13 years ago # -
"The Tram problems got a slot on R4 Today this morning."
http://andrewburns.blogspot.com/2010/11/10million-people-laughing-at-edinburgh.html
Posted 13 years ago # -
"
Environmental campaigners would love ministers to postpone the £2bn new Forth Road Bridge, the biggest item in their capital programme. They argue there is growing evidence the "hairdryer" treatment on the existing bridge is working, meaning there is no need to rush into spending massive amounts on a new crossing in hard times.But with the election looming it would be a bold move to retreat on pledges about a new bridge.
"Posted 13 years ago # -
Budget speech (rolling live!) -
Increased business rates on supermarkets and out of town developments - 'to support town centres'
Capital spending - 'prioritise existing transport projects' - presume that includes Borders line(?) UPDATE definitely new Forth Bridge.
Transition to low carbon economy - "report published on Monday" this/next??
More money for Climate Challenge Fund - has been used for transport/cycling in past.
Posted 13 years ago # -
JS: Forth Crossing project will be retained.
Posted 13 years ago # -
Borders Railway is going ahead.
Posted 13 years ago # -
JS: More money for the Climate Challenge Fund.
Posted 13 years ago # -
As above -
A Low Carbon Economic Strategy for Scotland: Scotland - A Low Carbon Society
http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Publications/2010/11/15085756/0
(Presume it mentions transport, but bicycles??)
Posted 13 years ago # -
YES IT DOES!
"
Cycling and WalkingMore cycling and walking brings major health as well as environmental benefits. The Cycling Action Plan for Scotland calls for a tenfold increase in the number of journeys undertaken by bicycle, and sets out a clear framework for its achievement with our partners in local government and other bodies. Road space reallocations, cycleways and other supporting infrastructure development will address safety concerns while cycle training will improve confidence. The creation of strategic routes for active travel is a key element of the Central Scotland Green Network initiative.
"Posted 13 years ago # -
9 mentions of cycling too -
"
Objective 10: Reducing the need for travel.
Promoting development which reduces the need to travel, facilitates travel by public transport and freight movement by rail or water, and provides safe and convenient opportunities for walking and cycling and securing the necessary infrastructure to do so.
"
"
Objective 11: Widening travel choices.
Encouraging lower carbon options, like public transport, car clubs, car sharing and cycling and walking.It is generally recognised that public transport, car clubs, car sharing, and cycling and walking represent lower cost and lower carbon options to the private car. Nevertheless, there is not as wide spread use of as there might be. Over 50% of all car journeys made are under 5km, and 40% are under 3km. Low carbon options can bring financial, health and environmental benefits to businesses and households
"
"
Cycling and WalkingMore cycling and walking brings major health as well as environmental benefits. The Cycling Action Plan for Scotland calls for a tenfold increase in the number of journeys undertaken by bicycle, and sets out a clear framework for its achievement with our partners in local government and other bodies. Road space reallocations, cycleways and other supporting infrastructure development will address safety concerns while cycle training will improve confidence. The creation of strategic routes for active travel is a key element of the Central Scotland Green Network initiative.
Government investment in the National Cycle Network (NCN) has obvious benefits not only for commuter trips but also for the Scottish tourism. Over 1,900 miles of NCN in Scotland provides long distance cycling opportunities, but they also provide important community links to encourage local sustainable journeys.
In 2007, over 39 million journeys were made on the NCN in Scotland. Initial research carried out by Sustrans estimates that every cyclist on the UK NCN spends on average just over £5 in communities along the routes. Further research is expected in 2011. Cyclists and pedestrians are more likely to support neighbourhood shops and, with users of public transport, contribute to higher ‘footfall’, which can benefit smaller retailers and businesses.
"Posted 13 years ago # -
"necessary transport infrastructure for Commonwealth Games" confirmed.
Aberdeen Bypass??
Posted 13 years ago # -
"Edinburgh signs up to Swinney's ultimatum"
http://edinburghnews.scotsman.com/topstories/Edinburgh-signs-up-to-Swinney39s.6630876.jp
Posted 13 years ago # -
"New Forth bridge plan to be approved by MSPs"
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-edinburgh-east-fife-11994671
http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/s3/bills/33-ForthCrossing/index.htm
Posted 13 years ago # -
Everyone wants a new Forth bridge you know ;-)
You can't have too many of these - especially when weather gets bad and one gets blocked ;-)
The Scottish Government are good at 'populist' measures and seem to shuffle their pack of transport projects with items like Borders Rail currently at bottom of pack. Business and the ever increasing number of people who drive longer distances to work will be pleased. I predict a mini housing boom in Fife again so capacity will soon be used.
Even political opponents (apart from Greens) will not disagree. The vote today will have good cross party support - everyone loves building bridges it seems!
But... why is a bridge so good?
Well -
- • it's highly visible and symbolic
• Millar Group may get contract so good for jobs
• it has a beginning and an end (unlike our shrinking tram route)
• you can build in 5 years (unlike Border rail)
• you have major infrastructure close to Labour controlled areas (unlike Border rail)
• you can nominate the old bridge as the 'green link' and increase bike capacity across the Forth to over 10,000 bicycles an hour
• you can let Stagecoach and First have use of a bridge for buses only
• you can let HGVs (or MSPs?)use if other one gets too busy
• you can use the new bridge as the excuse to increase road capacity on either sideThe bridge will of course run over budget but it will be finished. Meanwhile we can all imagine what £2million pounds could have done for public transport. eg You could have installed escalators at Haymarket station and still have some change! You could have trains that would work in winter etc.
But this is Scotland and the new Forth Bridge is a retro solution which has a kind of nostalgic / heroic feel that seems to attract common support amongst 'the public'.Posted 13 years ago # -
• it has a beginning and an end (unlike our shrinking tram route)
I could find some bits of the M8 in Glasgow where the bridges don't have a beginning and an end.
Posted 13 years ago # -
"bridges don't have a beginning and an end"
I thought they had one or both - which was the problem...
Posted 13 years ago # -
The ex bridge was one of them but there are other not quite bridges nearer the river and on the south side.
Posted 13 years ago # -
"Business chiefs' anger at bid to block Forth bridge"
http://edinburghnews.scotsman.com/topstories/Business-chiefs39-anger-at-bid.6662577.jp
Posted 13 years ago # -
"Business chiefs" - you gotta love 'em.
Just one question for Scotland's top suits, if the current bridge was part of your business, would you not stop to see whether you could get away with repairing it for £200m (or indeed next to nothing if the dehumidification works) rather than splash £2.3bn on a new one?
Come on top business brains - just imagine it was your cash.
Posted 13 years ago # -
Well put, Morningsider, "chief" (isn't that such an over-used word by the media?) is very quick to suggest how other people's money should be spent but loathe to chip in with his own! I'm re-re-re-re-reading the "High Girders" by John Prebble just now. Private individuals and business had a different attitude to contributing to the costs of public works in "them days". Although let's hope the new Forth crossing doesn't meet the same fate as the First Tay Bridge.
He - as a captain of industry - should also be asking why it is costing £2.3bn rather than half of that. Again, he would be if it was his own money!
Posted 13 years ago # -
"Is now the right time for a new Forth road bridge?"
http://www.guardian.co.uk/edinburgh/2010/dec/16/edinburgh-new-forth-bridge-audit-scotland?CMP=twt_gu
ALSO TransformScotland's submission (May 2006) - PDF
Posted 13 years ago #
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