Paul Sweeney

8 Feb 2023 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government how it will support Glasgow City Council's proposal to cover the M8 between junctions 17 and 19 with a "garden cap", in light of the project not receiving funding in the second round of UK Government Levelling Up funding, and whether it will investigate the potential for platform deck st…

Answer · Jenny Gilruth: I am aware of Glasgow City Council’s unsuccessful bid for Levelling up Funding for their proposed M8 ‘garden cap’ project. However the Levelling Up Fund is a UK Government initiative which clearly encroaches on devolved areas of transport policy. The Scottish…

8 Feb 2023 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on any plans to develop Glasgow Central Station so that it is capable of acting as the northern terminus of the HS2 network.

Answer · Jenny Gilruth: The procurement of HS2 trains and their operation are the responsibility of the UK Government, and therefore the information provided within this answer reflects the information the Scottish Government has received from the UK Government to date. Despite the…

8 Feb 2023 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether the design of the planned overhead line equipment to be installed on the East Kilbride railway line will incorporate passive provision for dual tracking the entire route in future.

Answer · Jenny Gilruth: The design being taken forward on the East Kilbride Line would not prevent the route being dual tracked in future if required.  

8 Feb 2023 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether (a) Transport Scotland, (b) Network Rail and (c) Strathclyde Partnership for Transport has engaged with Landsec regarding the proposed £850 million redevelopment masterplan for the Buchanan Galleries in Glasgow, and any potential investment opportunities for infrastructure improv…

Answer · Jenny Gilruth: The Chief Executives of Transport Scotland and Glasgow City Council met with Landsec on 9 November 2022 to discuss the proposed redevelopment of Buchanan Galleries. Since then Transport Scotland and Network Rail officials have been engaged with Landsec to d…

8 Feb 2023 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether Network Rail has presented a revised proposal to Transport Scotland for the proposed North Hanover Street improvement project at Glasgow Queen Street Railway Station, following its deferral in the 2020 Scottish Government Capital Spending Review.

Answer · Jenny Gilruth: Transport Scotland and Network Rail officials have continued to discuss options for the North Hanover Street site. These discussions have concluded that Network Rail should come forward with a revised proposal, at an appropriate time, when the strategic value…

8 Feb 2023 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what the anticipated timescale is for the electrification of the Maryhill railway line in Glasgow.

Answer · Jenny Gilruth: No date has been set for the electrification of the Maryhill railway line. However in line with the Rail Services Decarbonisation Action Plan this route will be considered by Transport Scotland, who will, in turn, provide advice to Scottish Ministers for deci…

8 Feb 2023 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to identify alternative sources of capital funding for Glasgow's seven unsuccessful bids for the second round of the UK Government's Levelling Up Fund.

Answer · Richard Lochhead: As noted in my statement on February 7, the Levelling Up Funds should be devolved to the Scottish Government to disburse in partnership with our regions, including Glasgow City Region. Scottish Ministers are calling for a meeting with UK Government Ministers …

8 Feb 2023 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it is the case that the removal of the M8 Woodside Viaducts between junctions 16 and 17 was not to be considered prior to commissioning a propping and repairs programme, and, if this is the case, what process was followed to determine such an approach, and who was authorised to m…

Answer · Jenny Gilruth: The M8 Woodside Viaduct is a vital element of the motorway and road network serving Glasgow, the wider region and country, carrying approximately 150,000 vehicles per day. The decision to restrict traffic lanes on the viaducts was made for safety reasons by T…

8 Feb 2023 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it is developing a discrete semiconductor strategy to complement the UK Government semiconductor strategy, and whether it has given particular consideration to the development of a flexible semiconductor manufacturing capability in Scotland.

Answer · Ivan McKee: The Scottish Government recognises the importance of the semiconductor sector in a global context. We are privileged in Scotland to have a number of strong semiconductor companies, several of which I have had the pleasure to visit recently. I have also recent…

8 Feb 2023 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will pause procurement of the permanent repair works programme for the M8 Woodside Viaducts in order to hold a consultation to consider alternative options for delivery of the trunk road infrastructure through central Glasgow prior to making a firm decision on the long-term fu…

Answer · Jenny Gilruth: The M8 Woodside Viaduct is a vital element of the motorway and road network serving Glasgow, the wider region and country, carrying approximately 150,000 vehicles per day. The viaducts are generally in good condition, with the exception of areas of the concre…

8 Feb 2023 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what engagement (a) it and (b) Transport Scotland has had with Glasgow City Council about potential future rationalisation of the Townhead Interchange at junction 15 of the M8 and its local feeder roads as part of the Council's consultation on the Townhead District Regeneration Framework…

Answer · Jenny Gilruth: Glasgow City Council published the City Centre Strategic Development Framework in late 2019. Transport Scotland detailed in its response dated January 2020, that plans to improve connections across Junction 15, indeed any plans which affect the motorway throu…

8 Feb 2023 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what the expected timeline is for applications to the 2024-25 round of the Vacant and Derelict Land Investment Programme (VDLIP).

Answer · Tom Arthur: The fourth round of the Vacant and Derelict Land Investment Programme (VDLIP) will open for stage 1 applications shortly for projects seeking funding in financial year 2024-2025.

8 Feb 2023 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S6W-13041 by Jenny Gilruth on 10 January 2023, whether it will itemise the sub-contracts placed with Scottish firms by Cemre Marin Endustri to supply the build programme for the new Islay vessels, including the total value of those respective sub-contra…

Answer · Jenny Gilruth: Cemre have signed an agreement with Kongsberg for Fins Stabilisers with the production facility in Dunfermline. Neither the Scottish Government, nor CMAL as procuring authority, have details of the value of this commercial contract between the manufacturer an…

7 Feb 2023 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what the latest estimate is of the total capital cost for the entire scope of repair works to the Woodside Viaducts of the M8 between junctions 16 and 17.

Answer · Jenny Gilruth: This is a complex repair of an expansive structure that is trafficked by approximately 150,000 vehicles on a daily basis. Although temporary works are well underway, the final design for the permanent repairs is yet to be completed, which will then inform the…

7 Feb 2023 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will instruct Transport Scotland to fully remove graffiti from the concrete piers of the category-C listed Kingston Bridge in Glasgow instead of masking it with grey primer paint, and whether it will consider commissioning professionally-painted murals on the piers as a perman…

Answer · Jenny Gilruth: Any proposals for artwork on the bridge piers should be commissioned via Glasgow City Council. Whilst Scottish Ministers and Transport Scotland are responsible for the structure including the bridge piers, Glasgow City Council (GCC) own the land below the bri…

7 Feb 2023 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what support it is providing to NHS boards to identify and deliver sustainable new uses for historic NHS-owned properties that are currently on the Buildings at Risk Register.

Answer · Humza Yousaf: We are fully supportive of the need to properly maintain and invest in our existing estate. This is why we are committed to doubling our annual funding for maintenance over the capital spending review period. This means that we will invest around £1 billion i…

6 Feb 2023 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what engagement it is having with (a) Scottish-based shipbuilding firms and (b) Shetland Islands Council to help ensure that the procurement exercise for a new roll-on, roll-off ferry for Fair Isle is responded to and won by a Scottish shipyard, in light of the UK Government's £27 millio…

Answer · Jenny Gilruth: The Scottish Government recognise the challenge for local authorities that have responsibility for ferries and welcomes all extra funding for Scotland. However, it is unacceptable for the UK Government to decide how money is spent in areas of devolved respons…

5 Feb 2023 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will instruct Transport Scotland to repair any existing defective lighting installations and generally improve the lighting of the public realm underneath the Kingston Bridge approach viaducts on the M8 at Anderston Cross, at the intersection point with Argyle Street and th…

Answer · Jenny Gilruth: The Roads (Scotland) Act 1984 places the statutory responsibility for local roads improvement, maintenance and repair with local road authorities. As the area in question, is local authority owned, we would advise Mr Sweeney to contact Glasgow City Council fo…

5 Feb 2023 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what measures it is taking to ensure that the Scottish National Investment Bank's £50 million funding of North Star Shipping's new offshore wind service operations vessel (SOV) shipbuilding programme is best utilised to develop a Scottish industrial supply chain by constructing the fleet…

Answer · John Swinney: Although guided by the missions set for it by Scottish Ministers, the Scottish National Investment Bank is operationally independent and makes investment decisions based on its own investment process and strategy. On the specific matter of North Star, it is…

3 Feb 2023 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether any defects have been identified with the half joints or expansion joints on the approach spans of the Kingston Bridge, particularly in the vicinity of junction 18.

Answer · Jenny Gilruth: The South West trunk road operating company (AMEY) undertakes a range of maintenance inspections on the approaches to the M8 Kingston Bridge. These include weekly driven inspections and 3 monthly safety inspections of the approaches (including all joints), wi…

3 Feb 2023 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of the number of maritime studies apprentices required to support the future demand for maritime industries in Scotland.

Answer · Jamie Hepburn: The Maritime sector is supported by a range of apprenticeships. Recent employer led developments include a full review of the Aquaculture provision to ensure that skills programmes support current and emerging needs. There is work ongoing to refresh Engineer…

3 Feb 2023 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government how many businesses have offered a maritime apprenticeship place in Scotland since 2018.

Answer · Jamie Hepburn: Data from Skills Development Scotland is that the number of employers of individuals who started the Maritime Occupations framework is: 2018/19 – 5 2019/20 – 5 2020/21 – 1 2021/22 – 4 2022/23, up to end Quarter 3 – 3

3 Feb 2023 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government how many types of maritime studies apprenticeships have been successfully completed in Scotland since 2018.

Answer · Jamie Hepburn: The number of individuals successfully completing the Maritime Occupations Modern Apprenticeship framework across each year since 2018/19 is detailed in the following table. All MA statistics are published on the SDS website at Modern Apprenticeships | Skill…

3 Feb 2023 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what plans it has to support maritime apprenticeships and training schemes for people seeking a career in the rapidly expanding sectors of (a) windfarm, (b) aquaculture and (c) marine construction projects.

Answer · Jamie Hepburn: I refer the member to the answer to question S6W-14764 on 2 March 2023. All answers to written Parliamentary Questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at https://www.parliament.scot/chamber-and-committees…

3 Feb 2023 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what funding is available to ensure that businesses can offer apprenticeships to fulfil future demand for maritime roles, including (a) skilled offshore wind, (b) workboat, (c) aquaculture and (d) marine construction roles.

Answer · Jamie Hepburn: Skills Development Scotland has operational responsibility for the funding of Modern Apprenticeship (MA) training on behalf of Scottish Government. There are apprenticeships available across these sectors, such as Maritime Occupations, Boat Building and Repai…

2 Feb 2023 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on whether there may be a need for secondary legislation for the Glasgow School of Art reconstruction project, to ensure that the restoration of the building is as faithful to Charles Rennie Mackintosh's original design as possible, and whether (a) it would be possib…

Answer · Jamie Hepburn: The Scottish Government currently has no plans at this stage to introduce secondary legislation under the Building (Scotland) Act 2003 or Climate Change (Scotland) Act 2009, regarding the Glasgow School of Art’s (GSA) rebuild of the Mackintosh building. The …

2 Feb 2023 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what interim steps it is taking, in advance of its proposed Learning Disability, Autism and Neurodiversity Bill being introduced in the Scottish Parliament, to improve mental health support for people with autism and other learning disabilities.

Answer · Kevin Stewart: We know that currently not everyone has the same experiences or outcomes when they engage with mental health services and supports. We want to ensure that everyone’s needs are met, including those with learning disabilities and autism. We are committed to pu…

2 Feb 2023 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what its response is to the joint report by the National Autistic Society and Scottish Autism, Closing the Accountability Gap.

Answer · Kevin Stewart: The Scottish Government welcomes the results of this survey from Scotland’s two main autism charities. This Bill extends further than autism and includes people with a learning disability and potentially a wider range of neurodivergent conditions. However, fr…

2 Feb 2023 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government when the consultation on its proposed Learning Disability, Autism and Neurodiversity Bill will begin.

Answer · Kevin Stewart: The Scottish Government intends to launch a public consultation on the Bill in the second half of 2023. We will confirm the exact dates of the consultation in due course. The consultation will provide an opportunity for people across Scotland to express thei…

30 Jan 2023 · Portfolio Question

To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it has had with Transport Scotland about the future of the railway industry, including its supply chain in Scotland.