The Huddle: How do we improve Scotland's transport infrastructure?

As the recent snowstorms and the deluge of rain illustrate, travel plans can be so easily scuppered. With a focus on transport, Holyrood asked a variety of experts for their thoughts on a big question: What one thing do you think could be done to improve Scotland’s transport infrastructure?

Alun Francis, chair of the Social Mobility Commission

For transport in Scotland to help, not hinder, social mobility, it is critical that policy takes a more place-based approach, explicitly linking up transport plans with local skills, education and local businesses strategies. A more joined-up process will enable local leaders to take a more strategic approach in ensuring young Scots can access further education, training and high-skilled employment to meet their ambitions, without leaving their home communities. We heard calls for this approach directly from local stakeholders when the commission visited Glasgow last year. 

Our State of the Nation 2025 report revealed extreme and entrenched disadvantages in Scotland’s former mining towns and several rural local authorities were experiencing declining job opportunities. This ‘rural effect’ was mirrored in England and, undoubtedly, long, expensive and inconvenient travel is partially to blame. It is therefore crucial that any transport reviews or reforms, at a local and national level, ensure affordability and discounts for young people as a top priority in order to improve social mobility.

Christian Wolmar, railway historian, writer and broadcaster specialising in transport

Scotland has been particularly successful in reopening railway lines in recent years. The longest of these revived railways is the Borders Railway which stretches down to Tweedbank from Edinburgh, but originally before the Beeching axe it went through to Carlisle. While it may seem a crazy idea to open a line that goes through such sparsely populated countryside, a line built as economically as possible would be a crucial economic lifeline to an area that has lost much of its original sources of employment. The first section of the Borders line has far exceeded predictions of passenger numbers and continuing the route through to Carlisle would not only stimulate the budding tourist industry but provide an alternative route when the West Coast Main Line is out of commission. 

Colin Howden, director of Transform Scotland

The one change that would transform the experience of people on Scotland’s local streets is also the cheapest – as it requires only the application of paint. In countries across Europe, towns and cities can provide cheap, simple zebra crossings that put people first. These crossings don’t need flashing belisha beacons and don’t require an electricity supply, providing a low-cost option to make it easier for people to cross the road.

Working with Edinburgh Napier University, we published research that demonstrated their potential. And the majority of Scottish local authorities have expressed their interest. But we’re blocked by the government’s agency Transport Scotland, which insists that it doesn’t have devolved powers – despite cities in England and Wales implementing on-road trials. It’s particularly galling that the SNP have failed to make any progress given that powers over road signage was one of the few concessions on transport in the 2014 devolution settlement.

Adrian Davis, professor of transport and health, Edinburgh Napier University
There is a political timidity of vision and resource allocation blocking more equitable and environmentally sustainable transport infrastructure. Where implemented, the pavement parking ban has improved conditions, especially for the mobility impaired. It touches on a central transport issue, the allocation of limited space. The politics of road transport is the politics of road space. Who gets what access to the highway – footways included. A key measure to improve transport infrastructure is, therefore, to reallocate urban road space according to travel mode space efficiency. 

Bus priority with protected lanes across all settlements comes top: to give and be seen to give priority to buses to dramatically improve reliability and attractiveness compared with competitor modes. Another reallocation is continuous footways, a significant step to actually place pedestrians top of the road user hierarchy, prioritising them over other modes crossing side streets. There is nothing to stop implementation except continued political timidity.

Rosie Hampton, Friends of the Earth Scotland 

Scotland’s bus network is failing passengers with more routes and jobs cut every year, while fares spiral in cost. Private companies are making millions from this broken system. Buses provide a lifeline service. Safe, affordable and accessible buses should not be treated as a luxury. Getting decent public transport is essential if we are to create a transition away from fossil fuels that improves lives.  

By taking the bus network back into public ownership through regional transport partnerships, the bus network can be made accountable to the communities who rely on it. This should be followed by major Scottish Government funding to create a bus system that connects isolated people and communities, cutting inequality and making a climate friendly and fairer Scotland much more likely.

Becky Kenton-Lake, Stop Climate Chaos Scotland

The next Scottish Government should make bus travel free, fast and accessible. This would be a big win for Scots, especially those on the lowest incomes, but also for the environment. Currently transport is the biggest contributor to Scotland’s total output of greenhouse gases, with cars generating more than 60 per cent of all road traffic emissions. More than three-quarters of public transport journeys are by bus, so these services are vital for many. In rural and island communities, free travel could include ferries, trains or community transport. Scotland already offers free bus travel for over-60s and under-22s, schemes which have massively increased the number of people using public transport.

Concessions should eventually be rolled out to everyone, helping to get cars off the roads. Creating a reliable, free, well-connected public transport network would cut living costs, tackle inequality, improve access to leisure and employment opportunities, cut air pollution and help tackle climate change.

Dr Neil Ferguson, senior lecturer at the University of Strathclyde

Changing weather patterns due to climate change mean that Scotland’s road network is facing increased risk of failure at critical locations. In the more remote parts of the country, a single incident can lead to lengthy detours on roads that are not always able to cope with the diverted traffic volume and vehicle type; and, as witnessed during recent storms, several failures can occur at the same time within relatively small areas, effectively cutting off parts of the network.

We know that the consequences for affected businesses and communities can be serious but knowing how best to adapt the network and interdependent systems and services remains a complex and urgent challenge. Whilst there are proposals at various stages of development to strengthen the network, one key step to take is to integrate adaptation planning fully with carbon reduction and economic development strategies to ensure investment delivers long-term resilience, supports net zero and underpins sustainable growth.