Appendix B
Consultation Responses and Actions
Name/organisation withheld
There needs to be specific co-design activities and support for Island and Rural Communities.
Actions
The ICIA assessment highlights the potential impacts on island communities of approach to network planning which is potentially more suited to dense urban centres. Assessment recommends specific provision for rural and island communities should be considered within the Cycling Framework.
Name/organisation withheld
Needs to have some assessment on whether the proposed intervention will help deliver water resilient places or make it harder / more expensive to deliver water resilient places in the future.
Actions
A Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) Screening exercise has been completed and submitted to the SEA gateway. Screening assessment determined that a full SEA is not required of the Cycling Framework. However, Transport Scotland expect all partners to conduct an applicable assessment of environmental impacts associated with any active travel planning or project. There would also be an expectation that any likely significant effects identified through these processes would be monitored proactively at the plan and project level.
Name/organisation withheld
It has proved to be a great mode of public transport in more advanced countries, delivering benefits to social aspect of life , health in all forms , local finance , happiness levels , crime reduction and so on. Stop the bureaucracy, deliver quality active infra ASAP & of a good, smooth, quality.
Actions
Further details of the evidence for cycling interventions are contained within the SEQIA and the final Cycling Framework and delivery plan will set out the priorities for investment over the next 5-10 years.
Name/organisation withheld
Have island communities been involved in developing the draft assessment?
Actions
The process for developing the assessment is outlined in Section 2. There have opportunities for stakeholder and public input into the process at re-screening, screening and assessment stages. During this process feedback has been received from local authorities with island communities and RTPs representing island areas. The assessments have been updated and adapted accordingly..
Tim King
This always neglects rural, coastal communities.
Actions
Though the ICIA focuses solely on island communities, the assessment acknowledges problems of transport poverty in both rural and island communities identified within the evidence review and seeks to mitigate these though additions or changes to the Cycling Framework.
Name/organisation withheld
Too much focus on cycling and not enough focus on disabled access and the right infrastructure to support their travel. Let’s get disabled people more easily to their work or holidays and, in turn, that should also benefit cyclists and other road users.
Actions
Access to adaptive bikes is referred to under the theme of 'Fair Access' and further scrutiny of all policies in regard to disables access is incorporated into the SEQIA.
Jon Jewitt
Why do we need an impact assessment when we know what the impact would be. Look at the Netherlands...! Just look at what they have achieved and copy them. Don't spend half the budget on thinking about what we need to do. Just do it. Spend the money on the ground, not glossy brochures.
Actions
Noted
Name/organisation withheld
What waste of time can’t even get a bus or demand transport I’m not cycling 6 miles on the winding road as I can’t physically do so anyway.
Never mind bicycles try something with four wheels we are completely isolated.
Actions
Improving public transport in rural areas is outside the scope of the cycling framework. However, links to public transport and carriage of bikes on buses and trains are included as actions within the framework.
Paul Bailey
"Island communities may be either positively or negatively impacted by this proposed action, if any changes to the TRO process result in alteration to the level of consultation required."
When SpacesforPeople measures were installed, we were promised that there would be consultation because a TRO had to have consultation.
Now it appears that is not the case.
Absolutely unforgivable to put out a questionnaire like this with no links
Actions
Assessment has been updated to include recommendation that wording be added to ensure opportunities for consultation are retained, in-line with Scottish Government Guidance.
Name/organisation withheld
- CI.11 is listed as having "uncertain" impact; suggest this should be minor negative as stated in the comments/evidence: "Fast-track powers which do not include a sufficient element of consultation and engagement with local communities, including crofters could have potentially significant negative impacts."
- CI.12 is listed as having "uncertain" impact; suggest this should be major negative as stated in the comments/evidence: "This action has the potential to impact island communities by favouring an approach to network planning which is more suited to dense urban centres, unless specific provision island communities is considered."
- CI.15 is similarly listed as having "uncertain" impact; suggest this should also be major negative as stated in the comments/evidence: "This action has the potential to impact island communities by favouring an approach to network planning which is more suited to dense urban centres, unless specific provision island communities is considered."
- NPM.1 is listed as having "uncertain" impact; suggest this should be minor positive, as many short distance car trips are made in island communities which could be made on foot or by bicycle if people across the country were encouraged to question their travel choices.
Actions
- Assessment scores relating to consultation have been reviewed for consistency and updated to "Minor Negative" on application of mitigation that wording be added to ensure opportunities for consultation are retained, in-line with Scottish Government Guidance.
- The ICIA assessment highlights the potential impacts on island communities of approach to network planning which is potentially more suited to dense urban centres. Assessment recommends specific provision for rural and island communities should be considered within the Cycling Framework.
- As above.
- Agree, have updated score and wording in the assessment.
Name/organisation withheld
We are pleased to see the inclusion of island communities, as women from the Scottish islands have explained that transport infrastructure is poor. They have highlighted that the islands have poorer sports and exercise facilities, and as such walking, running, and cycling are key methods to stay active. However, due to a lack of walking or cycle paths which avoid main roads, or go through areas of natural beauty, they are prevented from doing so. It is therefore integral that the Scottish Government work to further advance the road and path quality across the islands to ensure women feel safe and comfortable to take part in active transport.
With this new healthcare hub they’re talking about, they’re going to take away the swimming pool…we just have so few ways to stay fit here.”
They’re telling us to get more active by walking, but we don’t have any safe paths. Also, we get lots of people visiting to cycle on the island – but no cycling routes? That just means there’s more likely to be an accident.”
I know friends of mine who live really rurally and have kids, they’ve had to fight to get the school bus to pick the kids up at a safe spot, they were having to stand on the verge with traffic going by at 60mph.”
Actions
Impact assessment demonstrates that active travel strategies could include policies and infrastructure directly targeted at these underrepresented groups such as segregated infrastructure, supporting Scottish Road Safety Framework and improved access to bikes through bike share.
Name/organisation withheld
The Island Communities Impact Assessment is strong in highlighting the benefits and concerns that could be felt across Scotland within the context of our Island communities. Whilst also highlighting specific benefits and concerns that are unique to Island communities such as the following three examples which are worth discussing:
- CI.7 is a strong point as it highlights the benefits that could make a difference for those living in the Isle of Skye. The ability to include more cycle network could have a positive impact on tourism to the Isle of Skye.
- FA.3 is good as it recognises the importance of local bus networks to island communities. It mentions how there is a need to consider impact on passenger capacity on busy routes at the same time. Therefore, it is important to support small private operators to help them benefit from increased provision for cyclists rather than feel overwhelmed, especially in tourism season.
- It is encouraging to see the recognition of the complex travel patterns that island communities have with reaching educational facilities. Perhaps increased emphasis could be made for multi-modal trips if that is possible in a scenario.
Actions
Noted
Aberdeen City Council
The wording of the actions subject to assessment does not match the wording of the actions in the overarching consultation document. While this is unlikely to impact on the overall assessment outcomes, consistency in the wording of the actions would be expected.
Actions
Wording corrected and assessment cross checked against previous order of actions. As noted, the outcome of the assessment is not significantly altered.
Name/organisation withheld
We welcome the recognition that local circumstances on islands are different from the rest of the country, and that cycling needs differ compared to the rest of Scotland. We would like to see more recognition of the need for integration of public transport and cycling infrastructure, which would encourage diversion from car use for everyday journeys.
We welcome the inclusion of tourism as an asset for island communities. Tourist cycling routes are a good example of support infrastructure in rural areas and could also be used for everyday journeys as they are also accessible to locals.
Actions
The ICIA assessment highlights the potential impacts on island communities of approach to network planning which is potentially more suited to dense urban centres. Assessment recommends specific provision for rural and island communities should be considered within the Cycling Framework. Improving public transport in rural areas is outside the scope of the cycling framework. However, links to public transport and carriage of bikes on buses and trains are included as actions within the framework.
The potential value of cycle tourism to island communities is highlighted in Section 3.4 and assessment of the creation of cycling strategies.