Summary of assessment findings

Those on lower incomes are less likely to have access to or use a car or cycle and less likely to use a train. They are as likely as those on higher incomes to walk and more likely to use a bus. Those living in more deprived areas are likely to have poorer levels of health and wellbeing and more likely to suffer from the adverse health impacts of car use, including air and noise pollution, which can compound pre-existing ill health, as well as from injury due to road danger. Opportunities for physical activity through safe and accessible active travel are particularly important for those with poor underlying health and wellbeing. Affordable transport is also essential to facilitate access to employment, including to better quality employment, as well as to enable social interaction and avoid loneliness and isolation which are more prevalent in deprived areas.

For those that do drive, financial penalties and costs of car use, e.g. fuel duty, will inevitably have a disproportionate effect on people living on low incomes, thus increasing the negative aspects of living in a car dependent society (Health and Transport: A Guide). Those on lower incomes will therefore benefit from measures to reduce car use in Scotland if they enable them to rely less on personal cars.

The renewed policy statement for achieving car use reduction will be of particular benefit to those on lower incomes / those living in more deprived areas as they are less likely to use cars, but disproportionately suffer the negative impacts of others’ car use. Those on lower incomes will benefit from accessing services without the need to travel; improved local environments to enable access to key goods and services locally; greater access to and increased road space for use of alternative modes such as walking, cycling and bus; and facilitation of car sharing when active travel and public transport are less feasible.