Tim Eagle

30 Jan 2025 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government for what reason its partial island communities impact assessment (ICIA) for the Visitor Levy (Scotland) Bill did not recommend carrying out a full ICIA on the basis that the measures in the Bill were "not likely to have an effect on an island community which is significantly differe…

Answer · Ivan McKee: The Visitor Levy is a discretionary power for local authorities to use. In doing so, a local authority will have to comply with its duties under the Islands (Scotland) Act 2018. Additionally, Local authorities have the power to charge different rates and exem…

30 Jan 2025 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government how many signs are located along the (a) A82, (b) A828, (c) A83, (d) A835, (e) A85, (f) A86, (g) A87, (h) A887, (i) A889, (j) A9, (k) A95, (l) A96 and (m) A99, and what proportion does not meet current standards for visibility and effectiveness, broken down by Category (i) 1 and (ii) 2 …

Answer · Fiona Hyslop: Category 1 defects are defined within the term maintenance contract as those that present, or could present, an immediate hazard to trunk road users. They are typically detected during the twice weekly driven safety related inspections. Category 2 defects are…

30 Jan 2025 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government how many signs located along the (a) A82, (b) A828, (c) A83, (d) A835, (e) A85, (f) A86, (g) A87, (h) A887, (i) A889, (j) A9, (k) A95, (l) A96 and (m) A99 that were categorised as having a Category 1 defect did not receive a temporary or permanent repair by 6.00 am on the day following i…

Answer · Fiona Hyslop: Transport Scotland’s Operating Companies are required to either repair or make safe Category 1 sign defects within 24 hours of detection. The following table provides the number of Category 1 sign related defects that were not recorded as either repaire…

29 Jan 2025 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government how the Freight Facilities Grant (FFG) contributes to its efforts to reduce road freight traffic, and what impact this has had on (a) road congestion and (b) air quality.

Answer · Fiona Hyslop: Since 1997, Freight Facilities Grants have removed over 50 million lorry miles from Scotland's roads. The exact impact on road congestion and air quality of each project cannot be confidently described due to the effect of other local influences on transport …

29 Jan 2025 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what proportion of Freight Facilities Grant (FFG) funding has been allocated to projects that aim to improve rail freight infrastructure, and how this compares to funding for road and maritime projects.

Answer · Fiona Hyslop: A total of £70,443,984 has been allocated through the Freight Facilities Grant (FFG) since its introduction in 1997. Of this the spend on rail projects was £44,708,510, or 63% of the FFG budget. The spend on water projects was £25,735,474 wh…

29 Jan 2025 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government how it monitors the long-term efficacy of projects funded through the Freight Facilities Grant (FFG).

Answer · Fiona Hyslop: Traffic monitoring is undertaken after a facility funded under the grant scheme becomes operational.Transport Scotland requires applicants to provide a return of traffic passing through the grant-aided facility. Transport Scotland will require verified tonnag…

29 Jan 2025 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what steps it is taking to ensure that the Freight Facilities Grant (FFG) supports projects in both urban and rural areas equally.

Answer · Fiona Hyslop: Any company, in either a rural or urban area, which wants to move freight by rail or water rather than by road and which is proposing to invest in new freight handling facilities in Scotland or re-invest in existing facilities in Scotland may apply for Freigh…

29 Jan 2025 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government how many jobs have been created or supported by projects funded through the Freight Facilities Grant (FFG), and what sectors have seen the most job growth as a result.

Answer · Fiona Hyslop: The information on potential job creation as a result of an award is unavailable to the Scottish Government as it does not form part of the criteria for an applicant to receive a grant under the scheme.

29 Jan 2025 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government how much funding from the Freight Facilities Grant (FFG) has been directed to initiatives promoting the use of low-carbon or zero-emission freight transport solutions.

Answer · Fiona Hyslop: To date, no applications under Freight Facilities Grant have been received specifically promoting low carbon or zero emission solutions. However, the movement of freight by rail rather than road, especially over long distances, can result in lower emissions.

29 Jan 2025 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government how it ensures that projects funded through the Freight Facilities Grant (FFG) align with its (a) economic, (b) environmental and (c) transport strategy.

Answer · Fiona Hyslop: Taking freight off congested roads and moving it by rail or water can ensure that freight is moved in an efficient, flexible and sustainable manner. Freight Facilities Grant (FFG) can act as an enabler for companies investing in facilities that without FFG, w…

29 Jan 2025 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what the most common types of transport projectsfunded through the Freight Facilities Grant (FFG) have been since 2016, and howthese projects align with its transport and sustainability goals.

Answer · Fiona Hyslop: The most common type of schemes funded under Freight Facilities Grant since 2016 has been for the creation and expansion of rail terminals.Heavy goods vehicles are a major contributor to emissions within the Scottish economy. Emissions from rail are considera…

29 Jan 2025 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what the process is for businesses to apply for the Freight Facilities Grant (FFG), and how long it typically takes for an application to be processed and assessed.

Answer · Fiona Hyslop: Any company which wants to move freight by rail or water rather than by road and which is proposing to invest in new freight handling facilities in Scotland or re-invest in existing facilities in Scotland may apply for FFG. Before making a formal application …

29 Jan 2025 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether the Freight Facilities Grant (FFG) has been used to support the integration of digital technologies in freight transport and, if so, which projects have received this support.

Answer · Fiona Hyslop: To date, no applicant has sought to include within an award of Freight Facilities Grant the integration of digital technologies as a specific element of a funded project.

29 Jan 2025 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what proportion of applicants to the Freight Facilities Grant (FFG) are small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), and what specific support is provided to ensure SMEs can access this funding.

Answer · Fiona Hyslop: Freight Facilities Grants are open to any company, including SMEs, who can demonstrate that they can transfer freight from road to rail or water.SMEs represent the minority of awards made under the scheme. However, Transport Scotland officials are available t…

29 Jan 2025 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what criteria is used to assess applications for the Freight Facilities Grant (FFG), and how often these criteria have been updated or revised.

Answer · Fiona Hyslop: Any company which wants to move freight by rail or water rather than by road and which is proposing to invest in new freight handling facilities in Scotland or re-invest in existing facilities in Scotland may apply for Freight Facilities Grant (FFG).The amoun…

29 Jan 2025 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government how the Freight Facilities Grant (FFG) contributes to the reduction of carbon emissions in Scotland, and what quantifiable impact has been recorded in terms of emissions reductions from FFG-funded projects in each year since 2021.

Answer · Fiona Hyslop: The Freight Facilities Grants (FFG) is intended to bring about a number of benefits from the removal of freight from roads to other modes of transport. This includes but is not limited to emissions reduction.The impact of Freight Facility Grant awards is meas…

29 Jan 2025 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether the Freight Facilities Grant (FFG) has supported projects aimed at improving the efficiency of inland waterways and, if so, which projects have been funded.

Answer · Fiona Hyslop: Since the introduction of Freight Facilities Grant in 1997, the Scottish Government has received no applications for an inland waterways project.

29 Jan 2025 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government how many projects funded by the Freight Facilities Grant (FFG) are directly linked to the development of intermodal transport facilities, and what the expected benefits of these developments are.

Answer · Fiona Hyslop: Detailed below is a table containing Freight Facilities Grant awards linked to the development of intermodal transport facilities with the commodities that were removed from being transported by container from road onto rail or water instead.AwardCommodities …

29 Jan 2025 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what support is available to applicants of the Freight Facilities Grant (FFG) to help them develop their project proposals and ensure that they meet the eligibility requirements.

Answer · Fiona Hyslop: With all applications, Transport Scotland officials are available to discuss any proposal and provide assistance on what information should be included in an application and what evidence is required prior to any formal decision being made on awarding a grant.

29 Jan 2025 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what the total amount of funding allocated for the Freight Facilities Grant (FFG) has been in each year since 2021.

Answer · Fiona Hyslop: The Freight Facilities Grant funding allocated in each year since 2021 was:2021-22 - £1,350,000;2022-23 - £1,400,000;2023-24 - £1,400,000; and2024-25 - £0.00.

29 Jan 2025 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what steps it is taking to ensure that the Freight Facilities Grant (FFG) supports projects that contribute to improving connectivity between Scotland and international markets.

Answer · Fiona Hyslop: Freight Facilities Grant (FFG) was introduced in recognition that taking freight off roads and moving it by rail or water can have environmental and wider social benefits but can be more expensive.Improving international connectivity is not a specified aim of…

29 Jan 2025 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government how the Freight Facilities Grant (FFG) supports the reduction of freight transport congestion in urban areas, and what specific measures have been implemented to address this issue.

Answer · Fiona Hyslop: The Freight Facilities Grant scheme is demand-led. All applications are assessed on their own merits. There is no specific consideration given to freight in urban areas.

29 Jan 2025 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government how the Freight Facilities Grant (FFG) supports the transition to greener technologies in freight transport, particularly in the use of alternative fuels such as hydrogen or electric power.

Answer · Fiona Hyslop: To date, no applicant has applied for a grant under the Freight Facilities Grant with the specific purpose of supporting the transition to greener technologies such as alternative fuels.

29 Jan 2025 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it has any plans to expand the Freight Facilities Grant (FFG) programme to include new types of projects or industries, and, if so, what these new areas of focus would be.

Answer · Fiona Hyslop: There are currently no plans for the Scottish Government to include new types of projects or industries within the criteria for the Freight Facilities Grant scheme.

29 Jan 2025 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government how many applications to the Freight Facilities Grant (FFG) have been rejected in each year since 2021, and what the reasons for rejection have been.

Answer · Fiona Hyslop: No applications for a Freight Facilities Grant have been rejected between 2021 and January 2025.

29 Jan 2025 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government how many businesses have received support through the Freight Facilities Grant (FFG) scheme in each year since 2021, broken down by parliamentary region.

Answer · Fiona Hyslop: Two businesses were funded in 2021-22, with payments totalling £750,000, located within Mid Scotland & Fife (Region) and North East Scotland (Region).Two businesses were funded in 2022-23, with payments totalling £570,000, both located within …

29 Jan 2025 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government how many successful applications have been made for the Freight Facilities Grant (FFG) in each of the past three financial years, and what the total funding awarded has been for each year.

Answer · Fiona Hyslop: There has been no new awards made under Freight Facilities Grant in any of the previous three financial years but funding for the Freight Facilities Grant is contained in the 2025-26 Scottish budget

29 Jan 2025 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government how the Freight Facilities Grant (FFG) scheme has supported the growth of Scotland’s ports and logistics infrastructure, and what improvements have been made to port facilities as a result of this funding.

Answer · Fiona Hyslop: Freight Facilities Grants of over £25 million have been made to Scottish ports since 1997. This has enabled ports to purchase shore based handling equipment, has allowed piers and berths to be built or refurbished and enabled rail lines to be built into…

29 Jan 2025 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government on how many occasions the businesses that have submitted an application for a Freight Facilities Grant (FFG) have asked for the information that they provide to be treated as confidential and therefore not subject to disclosure under the Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act 2002.

Answer · Fiona Hyslop: Information provided in any application for Freight Facilities Grant (FFG), including personal information, may be subject to publication or disclosure in accordance with legislation including the Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act 2002 (FOISA), the Enviro…

29 Jan 2025 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what proportion of Freight Facilities Grant (FFG) funding has been directed towards projects that aim to reduce freight transport’s reliance on fossil fuels, and what the anticipated outcomes of this investment are.

Answer · Fiona Hyslop: The Freight Facilities Grant (FFG) is intended to bring about a number of benefits from the removal of freight from roads to other modes of transport. These include environmental and social effects including improved public health through reduced local air po…