Edinburgh Napier University

  The nature of the relationship between transport and economic development has long been viewed with uncertainty. This paper draws on recent research to investigate one aspect of the debate, namely the importance afforded to transport infrastructure in commercial location decisions with respect to 'new build' industrial and business premises. The findings are considered in the context of a case-study based upon data from Strathclyde in Scotland. The paper is divided into three main sections. The context for the study is introduced with reference to the current understanding of the relationship between transport and economic development. Following this, the survey is described. The survey, which was conducted by Strathclyde Regional Council (SRC) was concerned with new premises completed on industrial and business class land in the ten year period 1981-91. Finally, an analysis of the data is presented. Evidence of the effects of transport infrastructure on location decisions and the implications of the findings for transport policy are discussed and conclusions drawn concerning the nature of such links. (A)