E.1 Introduction

An effective transport system is critical to the social and economic success of any area, and yet many parts of South Ayrshire suffer from increasing traffic congestion, worsening levels of pollution and rising accident casualty rates.

In response to this, South Ayrshire Council has carried out an extensive transport review exercise and has developed a new transport strategy that meets the requirements of the Councils corporate policies, aims and values, as well as satisfying its statutory obligation.

This document is the first (Integrated) Local Transport Strategy for South Ayrshire, and is the result of over two years of comprehensive analysis and public consultation with local residents, businesses and other stakeholders.

E.2 Vision for Transport in South Ayrshire

South Ayrshire Council and its key partners are working together in order that residents, businesses and visitors will enjoy a high quality integrated local transport system that:

• Is efficient, reliable, affordable and safe.
• Meets the travel needs of all the people and businesses of South Ayrshire.
• Secures a high quality environment, with the environmental impacts of traffic carefully managed in order to improve road safety and avoid compromising standards relating to noise, air quality and severance.
• Provides access to a wide range of goods and services without the need for private motorised transport; thus ensuring that car use is seen as a choice rather than a necessity.
• Does not have unacceptable effects on the local or global environment.

Achieving this Vision will require the development of high quality integrated public transport. It will also require the development of safer routes to all schools and stations, extensive cycle routes and other facilities for cyclists, an environment that encourages people to walk more and a more sustainable approach to the movement of freight.

The first (Integrated) Local Transport Strategy for South Ayrshire is an important step towards the achievement of this Vision.

E.3 Strategy Content

The South Ayrshire Transport Initiative has been prepared in accordance with guidance from The Scottish Government and:

• Considers problems and opportunities within the international, national, regional and local context.
• Sets objectives and targets, with defined indicators that will allow progress to be measured.
• Describes a comprehensive, integrated transport strategy to achieve the aims and objectives.
• Sets out a realistic funding and investment programme.
• Describes the ongoing development of monitoring of both transport indicators and scheme impacts.

The South Ayrshire Transport Initiative also:

• Sets out a longer term vision for transport development, with proposals for inclusion in the second (Integrated) Local Transport Strategy and indications of what more could be achieved within a five year period if more funds were available.