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In 2007 Steer Davies Gleave was commissioned by the then Scottish Executive to carry out research on the links between transport and culture. The work explored the role of transport as a barrier to participation and attendance in cultural activity throughout Scotland, and makes recommendations on how accessibility by public transport could be improved, whilst also considering other modes where relevant (including walking, cycling and community transport).
Main findings
- The available literature indicates that transport may not be amongst the most significant barriers to participation in cultural activity, such as time, cost and lack of interest. However, transport is linked to these other barriers, particularly the time and cost of getting to events or activities.
- There are many examples of good practice in relation to public transport links to cultural sites, including the provision of public transport information, and integrated ticketing and entry packages. However, a number of barriers to enhancing public transport access to cultural activity exist across Scotland. These issues apply in general to more remote locations.
- Limited public transport information is provided by some cultural sites.
- There is limited motivation from funders, transport bodies and cultural providers to promote access by public transport to cultural sites.
- Some cultural organisations have difficulty relating access by public transport to other objectives.
- An information divide exists between cultural providers and those involved in delivery of public transport.
- There is a lack of clarity over responsibility for promoting public transport access.
- Non-scheduled services, such as community and demand responsive transport, are not always used to their full potential.
- Transport issues are not always flagged up at an early enough stage in event planning (with the exception of major events).
- There is scope for more knowledge sharing on successful transport related initiatives or ideas.
- There are opportunities for more integrated travel/entry ticketing promotions.
- There is scope for more consideration to be given to the end-to-end journey for potential visitors.
Introduction
To be able to fully enjoy the diversity of cultural experiences available in Scotland, access to the venues where these events or attractions take place is fundamental.
This research explored the role of transport as a barrier to participation and attendance in cultural activity throughout Scotland. It makes recommendations on how accessibility by public transport could be improved and considers other modes where relevant (e.g. walking, cycling and community transport).
The research objectives included:
- To map key cultural sites/events within Scotland and identify the scope and limitations of existing transport provision.
- To identify key cultural sites/events which are only accessible by private transport or have limited public transport availability, and explore the reasons for this.
- For these sites/events, assess how much of a barrier transport is perceived to be.
- Explore how we might overcome existing limitations in public transport provision to cultural sites/events, including identifying innovation or good practice from Scotland and beyond.
- Provide advice on actions to overcome limited public transport availability within different locations/contexts and the contributions different stakeholders can make.
The research involved the following key steps:
- A review of the policy background, across transport, tourism, culture and sustainable development.
- Interviews with a range of key stakeholders.
- Mapping of cultural sites and events across Scotland.
- Eight case studies to examine the issues of public transport access in more detail.
- A good practice review of approaches to enhancing public and sustainable transport.
- A Reference Group Workshop to discuss initial findings and possible solutions.
Policy Review
The key relevant Scottish policy documents at the time of the review were:
Scotland's Culture (2006): this sets out the cross-cutting importance of culture and aims to encourage more people to enjoy cultural activities. It notes the importance of local authorities working with partners to provide transport to cultural venues (within the authority or neighbouring authorities' areas) as part of a wider commitment to promoting access to cultural activity.
National Transport Strategy (2006) states that "transport has a key contribution to make to ensure that Scotland becomes an inclusive and just society by providing high quality and affordable public transport which will enable access to key services and leisure and cultural opportunities." It also emphasises the role of tourism in Scotland's economy, and the need for transport improvements to support this important industry.
Research Review
The mode of transport that people choose to travel by is influenced by a number of factors including: cost of journey, duration of journey, reliability of services, as well as personal factors.
Evidence for the role of transport as a barrier to participation in cultural activity exists, but indicates that it may not be amongst the most significant barriers such as time, cost and lack of interest. However, many barriers are inter-related - for example, the time or cost of an activity can be related to transport options or locations of cultural activities.
Issues Raised During Interviews
A number of individuals representing tourism, cultural and historical heritage, and transport were interviewed as part of this research. They identified the following issues as needing further investigation:
- Definitions of cultural activity and target audiences for increased participation.
- Potential tensions between economic development and social inclusion objectives.
- Perceptions of transport as a barrier and evidence for this.
- Mechanisms for promoting public transport access, including incentives and funding.
- Partnership working and communications.
- Responsibility for promoting public transport access to cultural activity.
- Individual travel behaviours and motivations.
Case Studies
Following an initial exercise to map 46 cultural sites, identified from the literature review and stakeholder interviews, a detailed public transport accessibility analysis was undertaken of 8 cultural sites in Scotland:
- Mull Theatre, Mull
- Kilmartin House Museum, Argyll
- The Burrell Collection, Glasgow
- Culzean Castle and Country Park, Ayrshire
- Scottish Seabird Centre, North Berwick
- Pittenweem Arts Festival, Fife
- Lyth Arts Centre, near Wick
- Eden Court Theatre, Inverness
Sites were chosen to reflect examples of poor accessibility by public transport, as well as sites where good accessibility by public transport had been achieved. Examples of good practice between transport and culture were also drawn from across the UK, as well as from Norway and New Zealand (countries with similar geographic issues).
The aims of the case study work were to learn from experiences, exploring the context for success and looking at how things could be improved in areas with poor accessibility by public transport.
Many of the sites, particularly those in the urban central belt, are well served in terms of proximity to public transport, whilst others in rural areas are less well served. Barriers and challenges for cultural sites in relation to access by public or sustainable transport include:
- Remote or dispersed site locations.
- Limited and infrequent bus services, particularly at certain times/days.
- Low populations to support extended public transport services.
- Lack of public transport information.
- Inadequate facilities or challenging environments for pedestrians or cyclists.
- Limited or unwelcoming waiting areas for public transport.
- Limited information on how people travel to the site on which to base future planning decisions.
- Despite these challenges, many examples of good practice exist:
- Using car sharing, hired mini-buses or shuttle buses, and informal taxi services to take people to/from sites.
- Providing clear signage and estimated journey times for walking to a site.
- Upgrading cycle and foot paths.
- Providing public transport information on venue/event website and other publicity materials.
- Offering integrated ticketing and entry packages, in conjunction with public transport providers.
- Improving public transport services and information: e.g. bus shelters, real time information, space for cycles on trains.
Conclusions & Recommendations
From the research it can be concluded that a number of barriers to enhancing public and sustainable transport access to cultural activity exist across Scotland:
- Limited information on existing public transport and other travel options is provided by some sites.
- There is scope for more knowledge sharing on successful initiatives or ideas.
- There is limited motivation to promote and achieve access by public transport.
- There is a lack of know-how and clarity over who is responsible for promoting public transport access
- Community transport and demand responsive transport solutions are often underutilised.
- Transport issues are not always flagged up at an early enough stage.
- There are opportunities for more integrated entry and travel ticketing options.
- There is scope for more consideration to be given to the end-to-end journey for the visitor.
These issues need to be recognised and addressed where possible. It should be stated that many of the barriers to public transport access identified within this study are common to any effort to promote access by public transport, whatever the type of activity, destination or group of people being discussed. It is therefore incumbent upon a range of policy and decision makers to play a role in reducing and/or eliminating these barriers where possible through a range of mechanisms at their disposal.
Some general recommendations are made as possible solutions to the key barriers:
Improve the use of existing public transport information resources
Good sources of public transport information exist, which could be promoted and utilised more than at present. For example, cultural activity providers could provide links to the Traveline Scotland website and phone number on marketing and information sources. Interested cultural activity providers could use the case studies detailed in the full report for this research as examples of good practice.
Promote the importance of public transport access for audience growth
In many cases, complacency about current audiences and how they reach venues appears to override consideration about alternative ways to access sites than the private car. Importantly for audience figures, promoting public transport access to cultural sites and events can help to open up such attractions to those with no or limited access to a car.
Clarify processes and responsibilities to deliver improved public transport facilities or services to venues
Cultural activity providers may need to work with local authorities to improve signage, the condition or availability of pathways, lighting and other infrastructure. They may wish to contact transport operators to negotiate new or amended services.
Local authorities, specifically land use planners, could encourage more take up of public transport through use of appropriate planning conditions and agreements.
This document, along with "Exploring the Links Between Transport and Culture" the full research report of the project and further information about social and policy research commissioned and published on behalf of the Scottish Government, can viewed on the Social Research website at: www.scotland.gov.uk/socialresearch. If you have any further queries about social research, or would like further copies of this Research Findings summary document, please contact us at socialresearch@scotland.gsi.gov.uk or telephone 0131 244 7573.
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