Russell Imrie, Chairman of SESTRAN, said, "The report recommends that greater powers be given to sub-regional decision makers. In that respect Scotland leads the way in having established Regional Transport Partnerships, although there remains no clarity over the powers they will have. SESTRAN, as one of seven new Regional Transport Partnerships, needs to be empowered to deliver.

We also welcome the report's focus on the importance of large urban areas as drivers of the economy. In Edinburgh for example, there is already major congestion in all corridors in and out of the city. Also, good connectivity between Glasgow and Edinburgh - the major joint drivers of the Scottish economy - is essential, particularly the provision of a fast rail link."

SESTRAN's Draft Regional Transport Strategy, currently out for consultation, focuses network improvements on key transport corridors essential to the economic well being of the Region.

He added, "We also welcome Eddington's emphasis on a nationwide Road Charging Strategy instead of the previous approach of Government which was to support local road charging. We believe the national approach has more chance of working.

The report's strong support on providing land access at international gateways accords with ambitions in Scotland for both EARL and GARL.

And we also are encouraged by the prospect of bus franchising as an option for us to consider given its success in London."

However, Councillor Imrie stressed the report's findings were not all good news. "While the brief was to advise the Government on the long-term links between transport and the UK's productivity, it stops short of this by acknowledging it is for Scotland to decide its own policies.

Perhaps most disappointing is it dismisses the need for a high-speed north-south rail link, suggesting the UK is already well served. That is certainly not the case in Scotland.

If there are not sufficient alternatives to road travel there is bound to be a soaring demand for regional UK air travel which carbon trading charging, mentioned in the report, will be ineffective in deterring demand. A high-speed rail option is the obvious alternative.

While Eddington recognises that the majority of travel is relatively local - an estimated average of 15 miles - there is no recognition in the report to social inclusion or areas of multiple social deprivation or rural remoteness which we in Scotland must address.

In summary, where is the vision or reference to the Smarter Choices agenda which at least has the prospect of more carrot than stick? We look forward to the launch of Scotland's National Transport Strategy next week and sincerely hope it will be more visionary and relevant to the needs of Scotland."