About Choose Another Way

Choose Another Way is an initiative of the Scottish Government and its partners in the public, private and voluntary sectors, designed to encourage more sustainable transport choices through the creation and implementation of Travel Plans.

Policy context

Choose Another Way supports the Scottish Government's strategic objectives for the economy, health, the environment and communities.

View the Scottish Government's strategic objectives »

Choose Another Way also complements the Government's commitment to tackling climate change.

Choose Another Way for the public sector supports the Best Value regime and this Government's pledge to deliver flexi and home working within the public sector.

Some current trends and impacts of travel

The evidence base that supports efforts to change our travel behaviour is considerable.

Travel to Work

67% by car or van
14% walked
16% bus or train
2% cycle

Source: Scottish Household Survey (2006)

Climate Change & Air Quality

Greenhouse emissions from Transport in Scotland grew by 11% between 1990 and 2005
Transport emissions accounted for 22.7% of total Scottish emissions in 2005. This proportion has increased from 17.3% in 1990
In 2005, road transport contributed the greatest amount of transport emissions, 10.3MtCO²e (84%)

Source: National Atmospheric Emissions Inventory

A number of local authorities in Scotland have declared Air Quality Management Areas, which means that National Air Quality objectives are not being met. Road transport is a direct contributor to air quality problems.

Evidence also shows that congestion is worsening on the trunk road network and local authorities are reporting similar problems on the local road network.

Growth in traffic and car ownership

In 2006, 34,302 million km were driven by cars on Scotland's roads, an increase of over 13% since 1996
Number of cars licensed in Scotland at 31 December 2006: 2,173,000 - a growth of around 30% since 1996
32% of Scottish Households don't have access to a car, whilst 44% households have access to 1 car

Congestion

12.8% of car drivers' journeys were reported as delayed by congestion in 2006
Around, 25% of car drivers' journey in weekday rush hours (7-9am & 4-6pm) were reported as delayed by congestion in 2005
On Scotland's trunks roads, 18% of the routes monitored experienced serious or severe congestion for more than one hour per day

Sources: Scottish Transport Statistics, Scottish Government 2007 and Congestion on Scottish Trunk Roads 2003, Scottish Executive March 2005

Health and Active Travel

Most men and women are failing to achieve the minimum recommended level of physical activity (30 minutes 5 times a week).

The 2003 Scottish Health Survey estimated that in Scotland 22% of men and 24% of women are obese - an increase from 16% of men and 17% of women in 1995.

Source: The Health Education Population Survey (HEPS), which samples adults aged 16 to 74 years old in Scotland.