Transport Infrastructure – Commissioning Research on Inequalities
Argyll and Bute Council · 6 December 2024
Back to Argyll and Bute Community Planning Partnership - Management Committee — 6 December 2024 and its agenda
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Management Committee Date: 06 December 2024 Transport Infrastructure – Commissioning Research on Inequalities 1.0 Introduction To provide the CPP Management Committee with a proposal for research on transport-related inequalities, which will begin to address a number of transport infrastructure objectives within the 2024-2034 Outcomes Improvement Plan. 2.0 Recommendations The CPP Management Committee is asked to: • consider and agree the proposal to commission external transport-related inequalities research • consider what resources can be offered to support this • note the references section with previous and proposed research, strategies and reports on transport relating to Argyll and Bute • highlight any other related information 3.0 Background The Argyll and Bute Outcomes Improvement Plan 2024-2034 (ABOIP) highlights transport infrastructure as a top priority. It is recognised that actions to deliver the following 3 objectives under transport infrastructure require data and evidence to support a greater understanding of how transport impacts on equalities across Argyll and Bute: • Working with partners to enhance provision of bespoke transport services for those experiencing the greatest inequality in ease of movement • Contributing to local and national strategic transport plans to ensure the needs of communities experiencing inequalities in transport infrastructure are acknowledged and addressed • Co-producing partners’ plans for elements relating specifically to tackling inequalities in transport infrastructure 4.0 Purpose To obtain the data and evidence needed, a proposed action is to commission research. Previous and upcoming research, reports and strategies on transport linked to Argyll and Bute, have been explored and these do not contain the information on the inequalities of experience that we need as a CPP. Financial or in-kind contributions from partners is welcome, where possible.
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5.0 Proposal To take this action forward it is proposed that research commence in Spring 2025 and be completed within 12 months following a procurement process, using the council’s procedures for this. 5.1 Outline of the proposed research The research will collect detailed qualitative and quantitative data from the widest possible representation of Argyll and Bute residents on transport-related inequalities, leading to the creation of a framework around which actions are developed to improve transport infrastructure whilst addressing inequalities. 5.2 Outline of the scope From our engagement on the development of the ABOIP, we understand inequalities to be experienced through geographical setting, protected characteristics and may also include: • Affordability of public and low carbon private transport • Access to transport for work, services and health reasons • Lack of transport options and facilities for those living with disabilities Our intention is that the research will include specific work with harder to reach groups and communities, and those with protected characteristics. This research will enable an evidence base from which we can create the business cases for future funding of actions to address transport infrastructure and associated inequalities. 6.0 Implications Strategic Implications - Objectives under the ABOIP priority outcome of transport infrastructure will be addressed - The granularity of data from the research will allow the four Area Community Planning Groups to incorporate the findings into the development of their new Action Plans Consultations, Previous considerations - Prior research, reports and strategies may contain some information on transport-related inequalities in Argyll and Bute – See References section Resources - Funding for the research commission - CP team for analysis and report compilation - Financial and/or in-kind partner contribution Prevention Equalities - The research will include specific engagement with those with protected characteristics
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Climate Change - Elements of the research and data will be of relevance to the CPP climate change strategy For more information, contact: John McLuckie Partnerships Lead (Community Planning) john.mcluckie@argyll-bute.gov.uk References This section highlights a non-exhaustive list of reports, strategies and research into transport issues, a number of which focus specifically on Argyll and Bute. While these reports and strategies highlight a range of issues that remain current today and provide a useful narrative, their focus is at a regional or national level, on a number of specific case studies, or on one particular aspect of transport such as the economy. Also included in this list is a proposed commission for exploring options for future service delivery of school and public bus transport. Argyll and Bute Council (2024) – School and Public Transport: Options for Future Service Delivery https://www.argyll- bute.gov.uk/moderngov/documents/s211820/SCHOOL%20AND%20PUBLIC%20TRANSPORT%20OPTIONS%2 0FOR%20FUTURE%20SERVICE%20DELIVERY.pdf HIE (2016) – Argyll and Bute Transport Connectivity and Economy Research Report https://www.hie.co.uk/media/6412/argyllplusandplusbuteplustransportplusconnectivityplusandpluseconomyplusre searchplus-plusreport.pdf HITRANS (2018) - Regional Transport Strategy https://hitrans.org.uk/regional-transport-strategy/ Poverty and Equality Commission (2019) – Transport and Poverty in Scotland https://povertyinequality.scot/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/Transport-and-Poverty-in-Scotland-Report-of-the- Poverty-and-Inequality-Commission.pdf Public Health Scotland (2024) – Transport Poverty: A Public Health Issue https://publichealthscotland.scot/publications/transport-poverty-a-public-health-issue/transport-poverty-a-public- health-issue/?mc_cid=9e97267601&mc_eid=2c04aec15a SPT (2023) – A Call to Action: The Regional Transport Strategy for the west of Scotland https://www.spt.co.uk/media/nr2c0jjt/spt_regional-transport-strategy-2023-2038.pdf TfN (2022) – Transport-related social exclusion in the North of England https://transportforthenorth.com/wp-content/uploads/Transport-related-social-exclusion-in-the-North-of- England.pdf Transport Scotland (2020) – National Transport Strategy https://www.transport.gov.scot/media/47052/national-transport-strategy.pdf University of Stirling (2013) – Resolving Transport Issues in a Rural Area
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https://www.researchgate.net/publication/258023293_RESOLVING_TRANSPORT_ISSUES_IN_A_RURAL_ARE A_- ARGYLL_AND_BUTE/link/0deec526a23e2d7cc0000000/download?_tp=eyJjb250ZXh0Ijp7ImZpcnN0UGFnZSI6I nB1YmxpY2F0aW9uIiwicGFnZSI6InB1YmxpY2F0aW9uIn19