Parliamentary questions

Des McNulty

1,840 questions tabled in the Scottish Parliament, most recent first.

2 Aug 2007 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what concerns have been previously highlighted by officials regarding value for money and conformity with guidance and regulations in relation to proposals for a ferry service linking Campbeltown to Ballycastle and whether there has been any significant change in circumstances.

Answer · Stewart Stevenson: This Executive isaware of the value for money issues regarding previous tender exercises for theCampbeltown to Ballycastle ferry service. I understand that Accountable OfficerDirections were issued by previous Ministers to Executive officials in 2002 and2005 …

2 Aug 2007 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive why Argyll and Bute Council was able to grant permission for the new linkspan at Dunoon as a variation to planning permission for the breakwater without the matter having to be referred to the Scottish Ministers.

Answer · Stewart Stevenson: I refer the memberto the question S3W-2904 on 23 August 2007. All answers to writtenparliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facilityfor which can be found at <ahref="http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/webapp/wa.search">htt…

2 Aug 2007 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive why no separate planning permission was required for the new linkspan at Dunoon.

Answer · Stewart Stevenson: Argyll and Bute Councilwas responsible for the new breakwater and linkspan at Dunoon. Planning permissionfor the original breakwater scheme was granted through due process in consultationwith Scottish ministers. The linkspan was a late addition to the breakwa…

2 Aug 2007 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether any organisation offered to contribute towards the cost of the linkspan at Dunoon and, if so, why any such offer was not taken up.

Answer · Stewart Stevenson: Dunoon Pier is ownedby Argyll and Bute Council and the Council was responsible for the improvement worksat the pier. The Scottish Executive’s role was as a co-funder of the project. Thecouncil, the Scottish Executive and HITRANS contributed to the cost of the…

2 Aug 2007 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether there were any discussions with Western Ferries regarding proposals for the new linkspan at Dunoon.

Answer · Stewart Stevenson: I understand thatthere were discussions between Argyll and Bute Council and Western Ferries and CalMacregarding the new linkspan at Dunoon. These discussions focussed on ensuring thateach operator’s vessels could be accommodated at the new linkspan.

2 Aug 2007 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S3W-1808 by Stewart Stevenson on 20 July 2007, what maximum level of subsidy it would be prepared to provide in revenue support of a ferry service linking Campbeltown and Ballycastle.

Answer · Stewart Stevenson: This Scottish Governmentis committed to re-examining the case for reinstating a ferry service between Campbeltownand Ballycastle. The Scottish Executive has also proposed that the appraisal considerthe possibility of extending the service to Ayrshire. Such a …

2 Aug 2007 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether it is considering transferring any roads currently under local authority control to the trunk road network.

Answer · Stewart Stevenson: The strategic network was last reviewed overall in the public consultation Shaping the Trunk Road Network in 1994-95 (the previous review was 1946). This was linked to the reorganisation of local government at the time. Following this, a number of tru…

2 Aug 2007 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive how many vehicles have used the A82 between the Glasgow City Council area boundary and the Erskine Bridge in each of the last five years.

Answer · Stewart Stevenson: The Scottish Executivecollects traffic data relating to the trunk road network for which it is responsiblethrough its agency Transport Scotland. The Executive does not hold centrally anytraffic flow information for the local road section of the A82 between Gl…

2 Aug 2007 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what criteria were applied when the decision was made that the A82 between the Glasgow City Council area boundary and the Erskine Bridge be transferred to local authority control in April 1996.

Answer · Stewart Stevenson: I refer the memberto the answer to question S3W-2868 on 23 August 2007. All answers to written parliamentary questions are availableon the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at <ahref="http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/webapp/wa.…

2 Aug 2007 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what criteria were applied when the decision was made that the A720 Edinburgh City bypass east of the M8 extension and the A95 from Aviemore to Keith become part of the trunk road network in April 1996.

Answer · Stewart Stevenson: I refer the member to the answer to question S3W-2868 on 23 August 2007. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament''s website, the search facility for which can be found at <a href="http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/webapp…

2 Aug 2007 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what criteria were applied when the decision was made that the A7 from near Edinburgh to near Galashiels and the A91 from the M90 to St Andrews be transferred to local authority control in April 1996.

Answer · Stewart Stevenson: The strategic networkwas last reviewed overall in the public consultation Shaping the Trunk Road Networkin 1994-95 (the previous review was 1946). This was linked to the reorganisationof local government at the time. Following this, a number of trunkin…

2 Aug 2007 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what its estimates are of the annual number of vehicles using each trunk road in (a) south-west and (b) north- west Scotland.

Answer · Stewart Stevenson: The measure of trafficflow on trunk roads is the Annual Average Daily Flow (AADF). The minimum and maximum AADF for each trunk roadin the south-west and north-west trunk road operating company areas is as follows:<table border=1 cellspacing=0 cellpadding=…

2 Aug 2007 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether any estimate has been made of the extent to which construction of the North Clyde Development Route will support the achievement of its regeneration, as well as transport, objectives in the west of Scotland.

Answer · Stewart Stevenson: The construction of the North Clyde Development Route is a matter for West Dunbartonshire Counciland Glasgow City Council as the relevant local roads authorities. Accordingly, the Executive has not made a specific estimate of the contribution which the route …

2 Aug 2007 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S3W-1864 by Stewart Stevenson on 17 July 2007, when it will be in a position to confirm that it is satisfied with the (a) accuracy of the cost and (b) assessment of risk involved in dualling the A9.

Answer · Stewart Stevenson: As I stated in myanswer to question S3W-1864 on 17 July 2007, further scoping work is underway andthis will feed into the Strategic Transport Projects Review (STPR). The STPR willassess potential future investment options against the Government’s strategic ob…

2 Aug 2007 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S3W-1819 by Stewart Stevenson on 17 July 2007, whether ministers requested that the Forth Estuary Transport Authority notify employees involved in toll collection prior to the announcement of the abolition of tolling and when employees were informed of m…

Answer · Stewart Stevenson: Ministers did notrequest that the Forth Estuary Transport Authority (FETA) notify its employees priorto the announcement to abolish tolls. When employees were informed is a matter forFETA.The proposals to abolishthe tolls were well publicised and conta…

2 Aug 2007 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S3W-1820 by Stewart Stevenson on 17 July 2007, whether ministers requested that the Tay Road Bridge Joint Bridge Board notify employees involved in toll collection prior to the announcement of the abolition of tolling and when employees were informed of …

Answer · Stewart Stevenson: Ministers did notrequest that the Tay Road Bridge Joint Board notify its employees prior to the announcementto abolish tolls. When employees were formally informed is a matter for theboard.The proposals to abolishthe tolls were well publicised and cont…

2 Aug 2007 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive, when options were prepared in 2004 for the Aberdeen Western Peripheral Route, what the relative cost-benefit ratios were of the (a) Murtle, (b) Pitfodels, (c) Miltimber Brae, (d) Peterculter/Charleston and (e) Peterculter/Stonehaven routes.

Answer · Stewart Stevenson:  (a) 1:4.6(b) 1:4.7(c) 1:3.8(d) 1:3.4(e) 1:3.2.

2 Aug 2007 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive, when options were prepared in 2004 for the Aberdeen Western Peripheral Route, what the relative costs were of the (a) Murtle, (b) Pitfodels, (c) Miltimber Brae, (d) Peterculter/Charleston and (e) Peterculter/Stonehaven routes.

Answer · Stewart Stevenson:  (a) £210 million to£280 million(b) £245 million to£335 million(c) £265 million to£365 million(d) £270 million to£370 million(e) £295 million to£405 million.All costs are predictedout-turn costs at time of…

1 Aug 2007 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether any additional overtaking lanes are planned for the A82 in advance of any announcement in summer 2008 about the next stage of strategic transport developments.

Answer · Stewart Stevenson: I refer the memberto the answer to question S3W-2790 on 23 August 2007. All answers to written parliamentary questions are availableon the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at: <ahref="http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/webapp/wa…

1 Aug 2007 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what the cost would be of adding an extra lane for overtaking on the A82.

Answer · Stewart Stevenson: The cost of addingan extra lane for overtaking on the A82 has not been estimated.

1 Aug 2007 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what the cost would be of adding an extra lane for overtaking on the A9.

Answer · Stewart Stevenson: The cost of addingan extra lane for overtaking on the A9 has not been estimated.

1 Aug 2007 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive which road project in its current capital programme costing in excess of £100 million has the lowest benefit-to-cost ratio.

Answer · Stewart Stevenson: On a like for likebasis, A876 Kincardine Bridge has the lowest benefit to cost ratio.

1 Aug 2007 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive which road project in its current capital programme costing in excess of £100 million has the highest benefit-to-cost ratio.

Answer · Stewart Stevenson: On a like for likebasis, M8 Baillieston to Newhouse has the highest benefit to cost ratio.

1 Aug 2007 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive how it is taking forward the resolution of the Parliament on 27 June 2007 in relation to the Edinburgh Airport Rail Link project.

Answer · Stewart Stevenson: Transport Scotland is reviewing project governance issues identified in the Audit Scotland Edinburgh Transport Projects Review Report on the EARL project, as well as investigating more cost effective investments than the EARL scheme. Results will be r…

1 Aug 2007 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether it or Transport Scotland has instructed TIE Limited that work should cease on the Edinburgh Airport Rail Link project.

Answer · Stewart Stevenson: Transport Scotland has instructed TIE Limited that no more money shouldbe spent on the EARL project than is strictly unavoidable during the current reviewof its governance and future.

1 Aug 2007 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether any of the rail projects in its current capital programme were of sufficient significance at UK level to have merited consideration by the Strategic Rail Authority; which projects were considered by the SRA, and what comments were made.

Answer · Stewart Stevenson: Until October 2005the Strategic Rail Authority (SRA) had statutory responsibility for the improvementand development of railway facilities across Great Britain and therefore considered all proposed railway enhancementsin Scotland up to that date. The SRA prov…

1 Aug 2007 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what discussions have taken place with Network Rail regarding the maintenance of track and signalling for the Waverley railway line; whether the annual costs have been identified, and by what mechanism these costs would be met.

Answer · Stewart Stevenson: The promoter has indicatedto the Scottish Executive that no discussions have taken place with Network Railregarding the maintenance of track and signalling for the Waverley railway line. However, The Scottish Executive understandsthat early discussions betwee…

1 Aug 2007 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether First Scotrail has indicated a willingness to run trains on the Waverley railway line and whether it is willing to do so without any operational subsidy.

Answer · Stewart Stevenson: First ScotRail hasindicated an interest in the operation of the Waverley railway line, and would expect to do so on a basis consistent with the restof the ScotRail network.

1 Aug 2007 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether Scottish Borders Council or the Executive would be expected to meet the cost of any operational deficit linked to the Waverley railway line.

Answer · Stewart Stevenson: It is expected thatany operational deficit would require to be funded in a comparable manner to therest of the ScotRail network. The impact of this requirement forms part of the currentdue-diligence assessment by Transport Scotland of the Borders railway proj…

1 Aug 2007 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether any estimates have been made of the subsidy that would be required to meet the expected operational deficit linked to the Waverley railway line.

Answer · Stewart Stevenson: As I announced inmy statement to Parliament on 26 June 2007, Transport Scotland is continuing a due-diligencereview of the Borders railway as it prepares to take on the role of Authorised Undertakerfor the railway, a role that it is assuming at the behest of …