Diffley Partnership were responsible for this innovative deliberative project feeding into the National Transport Strategy (NS2) and its Delivery Plan for 2022-23.
A panel of 20 members of the public was brought together to focus on transport strategy and delivery in Scotland. People joined in from Scotland’s remote, rural, urban and island communities.
They took part in four deliberative online sessions. These were expertly designed and facilitated by Diffley Partnership. Sessions were designed to be varied and engaging, using talks, short films, polls and discussion questions.
Throughout, Diffley Partnership engaged with the panel, taking on their feedback and ensuring a positive experience.
Transport Scotland were provided with comprehensive reports throughout the project. These culminated in a report on the pilot process for their internal use, and a report on the findings about transport from the Pilot People’s Panel available on the Transport Scotland website.
Key Takeaways
Key data was presented against the four priorities of the National Transport Strategy (NS2). There was no single standout priority issue for participants in terms of the strategy’s delivery areas. Concessionary travel for older people and investment in technology and innovation were seen as the most important issues for Transport Scotland and partners to take forward.
- Reduces Inequalities
Participants were concerned that those with protected characteristics face a range of barriers to achieving equal access to transport.
Although panel comments highlighted affordability as a relative concept, participants were concerned about the cost of living and saw the linkages between affordable public transport to economic mobility and reduction in car use. Over and above affordability, value for money was only seen as achieved in cases where public transport proved reliable and safe.
- Takes Climate Action:
Participants thought that there were a range of barriers in the way of meeting net zero targets including existing habits of the public, availability of public transport in rural areas and the cost of public transport.
The idea of 20-minute neighbourhoods was received positively. Participants were especially enthusiastic about the potential of community connection and reducing isolation if neighbourhoods were designed using these principles.
- Helps Deliver Inclusive Economic Growth
In terms of innovation, participants were supportive of zero emission transport innovation and understood the benefits and the reasons behind innovation. There was concern that achievement of these benefits remains a long way off.
- Improves our Health and Well-being priority
Active travel and healthy travel choices were widely seen to be positive, with numerous and clear advantages for physical and mental health. However they highlighted how active travel may be unrealistic or, in fact, undesirable for groups with mobility limitations. Also active travel can also become a stressful experience if people do not feel safe and secure.
Key services used for project
- Deliberative research
- Sampling
- Quantitative
- Qualitative
- Participant recruitment
- Digital facilitation
- Research tools design
- Panel management
Key research method used for project
