Healthy, sustainable transport

Improving physical activity and developing sustainable transport are high on political and public health agendas. The healthy sustainable travel programme was established in 2008 in order to:

  • Provide a clearer picture of patterns and trends in travel and transport in Glasgow and Clyde Valley area
  • Evaluate the probably impact of current strategy, policy and plans on active, sustainable travel
  • Influence action towards successful promotion of active sustainable travel

 Work undertaken has included:

  • Qualitative research using interviews and focus groups to explore cultural norms around urban travel
  • Exploration and appraisal of national/regional/local transport-related strategies, policies and plans to assess the translation of aspiration into reality on the ground
  • Analysis of secondary data from Census, Scottish Household Survey and other data sources to elicit patterns and trends in school travel, travel to work, and pedestrian road casualties

Briefing papers and reports have been produced on each strand of work.  Findings from qualitative research, conducted in 2009 to explore attitudes to different modes of travel in and around Glasgow are summarised in Briefing Paper Findings Series 22.  A film was created from 'vox-pop' style interviews carried out as part of the qualitative research for this project, and can now be viewed online.

A review and appraisal of strategy, policy and plans in relation to active, sustainable travel was published in 2010 in Briefing Paper Findings Series 26.  Two briefing papers have also been published summarising findings in relation to data on adult and child travel.

Research seminars were held in 2009 and 2010 to present and discuss findings. The most recent seminar, 'Active Travel in a Time of Austerity: Can We Turn Crisis into Opportunity?' took place on Tuesday 19 October 2010 at the Radisson Hotel, Glasgow, and a selection of podcasts, presentation slides and other resources can be accessed online.

For further information on this work contact Fiona Crawford, Public Health Programme Manager.