Public input fortravel strategy
Members of the Perth and Kinross public will soon be given the chance to have their say on how to improve travel options in the area.
Perth and Kinross Council (PKC) will launch an eightweek public consultation on its draft version of its Mobility Strategy later this month.
The strategy has been identified as playing a key part in delivering two of the local authority’s corporate plan objectives: “tackling climate change and supporting sustainable places; and developing a resilient, stronger, and greener local economy”.
It has 11 transport objectives at its core, with 44 strategic actions needed to achieve them.
They include: improving the affordability of Perth and Kinross transport; improving accessibility for rural communities; cutting the number of bridge and road closures each year caused by adverse weather; improving the reliability and efficiency of the local transport network; improving road safety for all transport users; and improving air quality.
PKC’S climate change and sustainability committee approved the Consultation Draft Mobility Strategy and associated Draft Action Plan when it met on Wednesday, May 1.
Moving the report, SNP councillor Richard Watters said it was a “pivotal step in shaping the future of transportation and mobility in our area”.
It was seconded by viceconvener Lib Dem councillor Liz Barrett who urged all councillors to “promote and encourage participation in the consultation”.
Climate Commission member Martin Mathers thought it was a “good initiative but its outcomes are unpredictable due to other forces”. He said strategic planning was “absolutely key”.
Mr Mathers added: “Where I live, every new house that’s built is effectively an extra car journey into Perth – approximately at least once a week – because people have to come to Perth to do their shopping because their local shops are poor, irregular and expensive.”
He added that the building of Destiny Bridge and “any dualling of the A9 increases traffic”.
Conservative councillor David Illingworth said: “I’m sceptical it will have a significant impact in 10/20 years’ time. Where I live – in Abernethy – there is still one bus service. Almost everybody has a car. Almost all of our journeys are in and out of Perth.”