THE idea of “20-minute neighbourhoods” in Scotland aimed at helping to reduce car use has been backed by road planners and engineers – but there are concerns about financing and how it would work in rural areas, a survey has suggested.
The findings from the Chartered Institution of Highways and Transportation (CIHT) have been published in a response to the Scottish Government’s consultation on the initiative centred around enabling people to access key services within a 10-minute “walk, wheel or cycle” and back to their home.
According to the CIHT results, 81% of respondents believes introducing the idea will help create social and economic opportunities, reduce car used and create safer and more liveable neighbourhoods.
However the survey, which analysed around 150 responses from members online and delegates attending a webinar, also found 7% were against the initiative and 12% were unsure if they supported it.
There were also concerns raised around the practicalities of introducing the policy, such as persuading people to get out of their cars, poor infrastructure such as roads being designed for vehicle users rather than walking or cycling and privatisation of buses which means the most profitable routes are priortised.
The risk of a lack of understanding of the idea among local communities, which has led to misinformation on social media and conspiracy theories, was also highlighted.
Meanwhile less than 1% said they thought local authorities have enough financial resources and government support for 20-minute neighbourhoods.
Nearly 80% also thought that achieving the policy in rural or island areas would be impossible.
CIHT said it supports the initiative as it believes it might bring multiple benefits such as reducing carbon emissions, encouraging active travel and bringing a positive health impact.
The Scottish Government consultation, which is seeking views on draft guidance, has now closed.
The response by CIHT said: “As stated in the Scottish Government consultation, local living and 20-minute neighbourhoods play an important role in addressing the challenges of the climate crises.
“The Balanced Surface Transport Pathway in the Climate Change Committee’s (CCC) 6th Carbon Budget sets out an emissions trajectory that will allow the UK to meet its target or reaching Net Zero emissions by 2050 (2045 in Scotland).
“The pathway and subsequent interventions by the CCC are clear that reduction in the demand for travel via internal combustion engine cars and vans must make a significant contribution to transport decarbonisation, particularly in the next decade when Zero Emission Vehicles will continue to make up a minority of the fleet.
"In this context, CIHT believes that 20-minute neighbourhoods clearly have a role to play alongside other interventions aimed at reducing demand and/or encouraging modal shift to public transport and active travel.”
