Questions · Des McNulty

3 Jul 2007 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether, in order to ensure that Glasgow Crossrail delivers value for money and benefits travellers and the economy, it will invite Audit Scotland to review plans for the project.

Answer · Stewart Stevenson: Transport Scotlandunderstands that Audit Scotland will shortly commence its value for money studyMajor Capital Projects Review. It is for Audit Scotland to determine whichspecific projects will be studied.As with all projects of thisscale we will asses…

3 Jul 2007 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether, in order to ensure that the Aberdeen Western Peripheral Route delivers value for money and benefits travellers and the economy, it will invite Audit Scotland to review plans for the route.

Answer · Stewart Stevenson: Transport Scotlandunderstands that Audit Scotland will shortly commence its value for money studyMajor Capital Projects Review. It is for Audit Scotland to determine whichspecific projects will be studied.

3 Jul 2007 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether, in order to ensure that a new Forth crossing delivers value for money and benefits travellers and the economy, it will invite Audit Scotland to review plans for the crossing.

Answer · Stewart Stevenson: Transport Scotlandunderstands that Audit Scotland will shortly commence its value for money studyMajor Capital Projects Review. It is for Audit Scotland to determine whichspecific projects will be studied.

3 Jul 2007 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether, in order to ensure that the Glasgow Airport Rail Link (GARL) delivers value for money and benefits travellers and the economy, it will invite Audit Scotland to review plans for GARL.

Answer · Stewart Stevenson: Audit Scotlandhave previously published an overview of the performance of transport in Scotland(September 2006). This report included a position statement on 15 major roadand rail projects, including the Glasgow Airport Rail Link.Audit Scotlandwill sho…

3 Jul 2007 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether, following the transport strategic spending review, it is satisfied with the (a) accuracy of the cost of and (b) assessment of risk involved in dualling the A9.

Answer · Stewart Stevenson: The review relatedto the current inherited programme as set out in the Transport Scotland websiteat:<ahref="http://www.transportscotland.gov.uk/uploads/documents/Scottish-Motorways-Trunk-Road-Programme-June2007-final.pdf">http://www.transportscotland.g…

3 Jul 2007 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether, following the transport strategic spending review, it is satisfied with the (a) accuracy of the cost of and (b) assessment of risk involved in the Aberdeen Western Peripheral Route project.

Answer · Stewart Stevenson: I refer the member to thequestion S3W-1811 answered on 24 July 2007. All answers to written parliamentaryquestions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility forwhich can be found at:<ahref="http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/webapp/…

3 Jul 2007 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether, following the transport strategic spending review, it is satisfied with the (a) accuracy of the cost of and (b) assessment of risk involved in the M8 Baillieston to Newhouse project.

Answer · Stewart Stevenson: The cost estimate inheritedfrom the previous administration is based on the risks as currently identifiedbut we will continue to monitor this in light of prevailing tender prices forroads contracts. <del cite="mailto:u205526"datetime="2007-07-24T13:29"> </del…

3 Jul 2007 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether, following the transport strategic spending review, it is satisfied with the (a) accuracy of the cost of and (b) assessment of risk involved in the M80 Stepps to Haggs project.

Answer · Stewart Stevenson: The cost estimateinherited from the previous administration is based on the risks as currentlyidentified and the final cost will be known when tenders are returned earlynext year.

3 Jul 2007 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether, following the transport strategic spending review, it is satisfied with the (a) accuracy of the cost of and (b) assessment of risk involved in the electrification of the Glasgow to Edinburgh rail line

Answer · Stewart Stevenson: The Review related to the currentinherited projects committed for funding, as set out on the Transport Scotland website<a href="http://www.transportscotland.gov.uk/projects">www.transportscotland.gov.uk/projects</a>.Transport Scotland is leadingwork…

3 Jul 2007 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether, following the transport strategic spending review, it is satisfied with the (a) accuracy of the cost of and (b) assessment of risk involved in the Glasgow Crossrail project.

Answer · Stewart Stevenson: The Review undertaken byAudit Scotland related to the current inherited projects committedfor funding, as set out on the Transport Scotland website <ahref="http://www.transportscotland.gov.uk/projects">www.transportscotland.gov.uk/projects</a>.Strathcl…

3 Jul 2007 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether, following the transport strategic spending review, it is satisfied with the (a) accuracy of the cost of and (b) assessment of risk involved in the Glasgow Airport Rail Link.

Answer · Stewart Stevenson: As I announced inmy statement to Parliament on 26 June Strathclyde Partnership for Transport (SPT)and Network Rail (NR) are working together to combine the Glasgow Airport Rail Link(GARL) with NR’s Paisley Corridor Renewal (PCR) project.Transport Scotl…

3 Jul 2007 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether, following the transport strategic spending review, it is satisfied with the (a) accuracy of the cost of and (b) assessment of risk involved in the Waverley railway project.

Answer · Stewart Stevenson: AsI announced in my statement to Parliament on 26 June 2007,Transport Scotland is continuing a due-diligence review of the Bordersrailway as it prepares to take on the role of Authorised Undertaker for therailway, a role that it is assuming at the behest of t…

3 Jul 2007 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what principles it considers should be applied when charging for water and sewerage services between 2006 and 2010.

Answer · Stewart Stevenson: Ministers previously set theirprinciples of charging for 2006-10 in their statement of policy regarding chargesof 28 September 2005. This is available at: <ahref="http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Resource/Doc/1057/0022138.pdf">http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Reso…

3 Jul 2007 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what its response is to the question from the Chairman of the Water Industry Commission in respect of Scottish Water: “Are ministers prepared to guarantee that some £200 million per year will be forthcoming from the public purse for a long-term capital programme, or are they ready to see …

Answer · Stewart Stevenson: The Scottish Executive willensure that Scottish Water has access to the funds it requires to enable it todeliver its regulatory settlement.

3 Jul 2007 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to extend the water and sewerage charges exemption scheme for charitable and voluntary organisations.

Answer · Stewart Stevenson: I refer the member to the answer to question S3W-326 on 8 June 2007. All answers to written parliamentaryquestions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility forwhich can be found at <ahref="http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/webapp/wa.sear…

3 Jul 2007 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what the up-to-date cost estimates are for the (a) Edinburgh to Gorebridge and (b) Edinburgh to Tweedbank routes of the Waverley railway project.

Answer · Stewart Stevenson: ThePromoter for the Waverley Railway Project has reported their up-to-date costestimate for the Edinburgh to Tweedbank route as £174.45 million. This has been calculated from their £129.5 millionoriginal estimate at 2002 prices indexed at 3.5% per annum. No u…

3 Jul 2007 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what the benefit to cost ratios are for the (a) Edinburgh to Gorebridge and (b) Edinburgh to Tweedbank routes of the Waverley railway project.

Answer · Stewart Stevenson: The Promoter for theWaverley Railway Project has reported a benefit to cost ratio of 1.3 in theirmost recent Outline Business Case for the Edinburgh to Tweedbank route. No comparison cost to benefitratio exists for an Edinburgh to Gorebridge option.

3 Jul 2007 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what its priority road projects are in the west of Scotland.

Answer · Stewart Stevenson: Details and timescalesfor our major and important planned road projects can be found on the TransportScotland website at:<ahref="http://www.transportscotland.gov.uk/uploads/documents/Scottish-Motorways-Trunk-Road-Programme-June2007-final.pdf">http://ww…

3 Jul 2007 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what studies have been carried out into the economic and social benefits that would accrue to West Dunbartonshire following construction of the North Clyde Development Route.

Answer · Stewart Stevenson: Any studies conducted inconnection with the construction of the North Clyde Development Route are a matterfor West Dunbartonshire and Glasgow City Councils.

3 Jul 2007 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will commit to construction of the North Clyde Development Route.

Answer · Stewart Stevenson: The construction of the North Clyde Development Route is a matter for West Dunbartonshire Council andGlasgow City Council as the local roads authorities responsible for the areawithin which the scheme would be constructed.

3 Jul 2007 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what consideration has been given to extending improvements to the A82 road southwards of the work being done under the £90 million Tarbet to Fort William Route Action Plan.

Answer · Stewart Stevenson: Future investmenton the trunk road network, including the A82, will emerge from the Strategic TransportProjects Review which is due to report in summer 2008.Details and timescalesfor our major and important planned road projects can be found on the Tra…

3 Jul 2007 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what calculation has been made of the additional impact of carbon emissions from vehicles if the A9 from Perth to Inverness is dualled and how this is being factored into benefit to cost ratio calculations.

Answer · Stewart Stevenson: Future investmenton the trunk road network, including the A9, will emerge from the Strategic TransportProjects Review which is due to report in summer 2008.The review involvesa Scottish Transport Appraisal Guidance based appraisal which will include an…

3 Jul 2007 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will publish any reports on the cost of the proposed dualling of the A9 from Perth to Inverness.

Answer · Stewart Stevenson: The most recent studyon dualling sections of the A9 was the A9 Perth to Blair Atholl Route ImprovementStrategy Study which is available on the Transport Scotland website at:<ahref="http://www.transportscotland.gov.uk/defaultpage1221cde0.aspx?pageID=109…

3 Jul 2007 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether, in line with the terms of amendment S2M-3837.2 by Fergus Ewing, it (a) acknowledges the importance of aviation in the prime aim of growing the Scottish economy, (b) will seek to remove barriers to further success in aviation policy, (c) will audit and review the Air Route Develop…

Answer · Stewart Stevenson: The Scottish Executiveacknowledges the importance of direct air connections in making Scotlandeasier and more attractive for business, investment and inbound tourism. Weintend to promote and encourage the maintenance and expansion of Scotland’sinternational a…

3 Jul 2007 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether there have been economic advantages to the Scottish economy as a result of implementation of the Air Route Development Fund and the reduced need for short-haul flights through hub airports.

Answer · Stewart Stevenson: The Scottish Executive’sRoute Development Fund has contributed substantially to the growth of direct internationalair routes to and from Scotland. As a result, Scotland is now much betterconnected to the rest of Europe and served by a growing number of interc…

2 Jul 2007 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what discussions were held between 16 and 31 May 2007 with employees involved in toll collection at the Tay Road Bridge Joint Board concerning their employment.

Answer · Stewart Stevenson: This is a matter forthe Tay Road Bridge Joint Board (TRBJB).

2 Jul 2007 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what discussions were held between 16 and 31 May 2007 with employees involved in toll collection at the Forth Estuary Transport Authority concerning their employment.

Answer · Stewart Stevenson: This is a matter forthe Forth Estuary Transport Authority (FETA).

2 Jul 2007 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what guidance is in place in respect of the closure of the Forth and Tay road bridges to traffic in the event of wind speeds in excess of 50 mph and what guidance on closure during high winds will be issued if the new Forth crossing is a bridge.

Answer · Stewart Stevenson: Both the Forth Estuary Transport Authority (FETA) and the Tay Road BridgeJoint Board (TRBJB) maintain procedural manuals for dealing with the impact of highwinds on the bridges.A decision on thetype of replacement crossing for the Forth will be made in…

2 Jul 2007 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what consideration will be given to the study commissioned by the South East of Scotland Transport Partnership and Strathclyde Partnership for Transport concerning a high-speed rail link between Edinburgh and Glasgow.

Answer · Stewart Stevenson: The study commissioned bythe South East of Scotland Transport Partnership and Strathclyde Partnershipfor Transport will be considered as part of the wider options for the Edinburghto Glasgow route to improve reliability, attractiveness and journey timesthroug…

2 Jul 2007 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what information it has on the expected form and content of scrutiny by the European Commission of a single bundle tender for Calmac ferry services.

Answer · Stewart Stevenson: The principle of bundlingroutes together for tendering purposes was recognised by the EuropeanCommission in a December 2003 Communication (“Communication from the Commissionto the European Parliament, the Council, the European Economic and SocialCommittee of …