Parliamentary questions

Murray Tosh

706 questions tabled in the Scottish Parliament, most recent first.

10 Dec 1999 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether work on the M77 (Malletsheugh to Fenwick) will be allowed to commence prior to the resolution of all outstanding issues surrounding the Glasgow South Orbital Road and, if not, why this decision has been made and what the implications for the proposed M77 Extension of the Glasgow S…

Answer · Sarah Boyack: Scottish Executive officials have already met officials of East Renfrewshire and South Lanarkshire Councils, the promoters of the Glasgow Southern Orbital (GSO), to discuss co-ordination of the M77 (Malletsheugh to Fenwick) and the GSO. One key objective will…

9 Dec 1999 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether, in the event that the proposed Public Private Partnership for the M77 Fenwick to Malletsheugh motorway cannot demonstrate value for money, it intends to fund the proposed stretch of motorway from its budget.

Answer · Sarah Boyack: I refer the member to my answer to question S1W-2395.The Executive's expenditure plans for the years after 2001-02 will be set following the review of expenditure programmes planned next year.

8 Dec 1999 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive, in the light of the Minister for Transport and the Environment's reply to my letter of 5 October 1999 in which she states her support for the A8000 project announced in the Strategic Roads Review, whether it is actively supportive of all other projects referred to local authorities in Th…

Answer · Sarah Boyack: The M74 Northern Extension is the only other scheme referred back to local authorities to take forward. The views of the Scottish Executive on that project are set out in The Strategic Roads Review - Scheme Decisions, pages seven and eight.

8 Dec 1999 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will commission research into the potential impact on the Scottish economy of the areas of serious traffic congestion on the trunk roads network identified in England and Wales by the Highways Agency.

Answer · Sarah Boyack: There is no intention to commission such research at present. In assessing ways of tackling traffic congestion in England and Wales, no distinction is made between Scottish, English or Welsh traffic. The solutions implemented as part of the English and Welsh …

8 Dec 1999 · General Question

Answer · Sarah Boyack: I refer the member to my answer to question 2395.The Executive's expenditure plans for the years after 2001-02 will be set following the review of expenditure programmes planned next year.

3 Dec 1999 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will confirm that a report was commissioned by Scottish Enterprise to analyse the potential economic benefits of completing the M74 northern extension and if so, whether it will publish the report.

Answer · Sarah Boyack: I refer Mr Tosh to the answer given to question S1W-2823.

3 Dec 1999 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether, given the specific invitation in the Strategic Roads Review - Scheme Decisions to local authorities to consider congestion charges and motorway tolling in respect of the M74 northern extension, and the absence of any such invitation in relation to the A8000, it does not intend to…

Answer · Sarah Boyack: As I announced on 4 November, it is for City of Edinburgh Council to take forward any scheme to replace the A8000.

3 Dec 1999 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what its estimate is of the costs of the consultancy work outlined in the Strategic Roads Review in relation to the proposed A876 Kincardine Bridge Scheme.

Answer · Sarah Boyack: The estimated cost of the consultancy work at Kincardine is £1.65 million inclusive of VAT. This includes the fees of the two main consultants, their sub-consultants and the survey and modelling needed for the design.

3 Dec 1999 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what timescale it envisages for the multi-modal appraisals in each of the A68 Dalkeith bypass schemes in The Strategic Roads Review - Scheme Decisions.

Answer · Sarah Boyack: Multi-modal appraisal will be carried out on the A68 (Dalkeith Bypass) schemes if, following consideration alongside other emerging priorities, the schemes remain worthwhile projects for inclusion in a future trunk road programme. I refer Mr Tosh to my answer…

3 Dec 1999 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what it estimates to be the timescale and cost of works on the A96 Keith to Fife trunk road to fulfil its commitment in The Strategic Roads Review - Scheme Decisions to a traffic calming regime and what local consultation it intends to hold on its proposals.

Answer · Sarah Boyack: The Scottish Executive has considered the recommendations set out in the A96 Keith Traffic Calming Inception Report. The implementation of a traffic calming scheme estimated at a cost of £340k is accepted as a high priority scheme and has been included in the…

3 Dec 1999 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether it was invited to participate in the "Road Summit" held by the Secretary of State for Environment, Transport and the Regions on 29 November 1999, or whether it has been briefed subsequently on his proposals to accelerate major road projects in England and Wales.

Answer · Sarah Boyack: The "Road Summit" dealt with issues mainly relating to England and invitations were extended to those for whom this was directly relevant. Roads in Scotland are devolved and decisions on projects, timing of investment and the allocation of resources…

3 Dec 1999 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether it intends, in the event that the A876 Kincardine Bridge Scheme is progressed, to refer it to local authorities for their consideration, and whether it will invite them to consider the use of road tolls as a means of funding the scheme.

Answer · Sarah Boyack: Decisions on procurement and funding of the A876 Kincardine Bridge scheme will be taken later. The next steps are to progress the 2 major consultancies referred to in the Report on the Strategic Roads Review.

3 Dec 1999 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive when and how it will examine practical local options to improve road safety on the A9 Preston to Balfarg Route, and what local consultations it intends to hold on its proposals.

Answer · Sarah Boyack: Officials of the Scottish Executive Development Department expect very soon to discuss, initially with Fife Council, the development of possible solutions to address transport problems on the single carriageway section of the A92 between Preston and Balfarg.

3 Dec 1999 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive which bridges and tight bends on the A9 Helmsdale to Ord of Caithness route will be replaced or upgraded; what the estimated costs and timescales are for these works to be carried out, and what local consultation it intends to hold on its proposals.

Answer · Sarah Boyack: Works to replace the Ord Bridge, which also involved minor realignment and widening, were completed in November 1999. The cost of the work was £800,000.I also refer Mr Tosh to my answer to question S1W-2899. It explains how we wil…

3 Dec 1999 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether the decision not to refer the proposed M8 and M80 schemes to local authorities for further consideration indicates that, if these schemes are progressed, it will develop proposals itself for their procurement and funding.

Answer · Sarah Boyack: The A8/M8 and A80/M80 are trunk roads and responsibility therefore lies with the Scottish Executive. As the Report on the Strategic Roads Review stated the Executive will commission multi-modal studies of these transport corridors. Following the studies, the…

3 Dec 1999 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has ruled out tolling as a means of funding the M8 and M80 Schemes.

Answer · Sarah Boyack: I refer Mr Tosh to my answer to question number S1W-2966.

3 Dec 1999 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will include the three Ayrshire local authorities in the "consultation with other authorities in the Wider Area" in relation to the proposed M74 northern extension.

Answer · Sarah Boyack: As I made clear when announcing the conclusions of the Strategic Roads Review on 4 November, this road is to be promoted by the City of Glasgow and South Lanarkshire Councils. It will be for them to decide about consultation with neighbouring authoriti…

3 Dec 1999 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether, further to the Minister for Transport and the Environment's statement on the Strategic Roads Review, it will identify those multi-modal corridor studies which have already been (a) completed or (b) commissioned.

Answer · Sarah Boyack: We have advertised for consultants to begin the M80 and M8 corridor studies announced in the Roads Review.

3 Dec 1999 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the Minister for Transport and the Environment's statement on the Strategic Roads Review, when it will make an announcement of further corridor studies, and whether the announcement and implementation of such studies will be accelerated in the light of the Department of Transp…

Answer · Sarah Boyack: The Executive's proposals for corridor studies were set out in the Report of the Strategic Roads Review published on 4November. These studies will be set in hand as soon as practicable.

3 Dec 1999 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether, in the event that the construction of the M74 northern extension and the upgrading of the A8000 proceeds, it intends that the completed roads will be trunk roads.

Answer · Sarah Boyack: The Executive has no plans to increase the trunk road network.

3 Dec 1999 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has safeguarded the routes of each of the proposed M8 Baillieston-Newhouse (both options), M80 Stepps-Haggs, M74 northern extension, A8000, A876 Kincardine Bridge, A68 Dalkeith Bypass, A90 Balmedie to Tipperty and A985 Rosyth Bypass in the relevant structure and local plans.

Answer · Sarah Boyack: It is for local Councils, as planning authorities, to consider whether a particular route should be safeguarded in the structure and local plan for the area. In doing so they should have regard to all material considerations, including guidance contained in N…

3 Dec 1999 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has safeguarded the routes of each of the of the proposed M8 Baillieston-Newhouse (both options), M80 Stepps-Haggs, M74 northern extension, A8000, A876 Kincardine Bridge, A68 Dalkeith Bypass, A90 Balmedie to Tipperty and A985 Rosyth Bypass in the relevant structure and local pl…

1 Dec 1999 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will publicise the targets for road traffic reductions identified by each local authority in their interim Road Traffic Reduction Act reports; whether it has accepted these targets, and what action it will take in the event that it does not accept the local authority targets.

Answer · Sarah Boyack: Local authorities were invited to submit interim Local Transport Strategies and Road Traffic Reduction Reports in July 1999. Not all local authorities chose to submit an interim report on road traffic reduction, since the provisions of the Road Traffic Reduct…

1 Dec 1999 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether the refurbishment work required on the Kingston Bridge, noted in paragraph 2.6 of Travel Choices for Scotland, is programmed in the Transport and Environment budget and when it anticipates that the Kingston Bridge will become fully operational.

Answer · Sarah Boyack: Finance is committed to complete the current phase 1 strengthening contract. In addition provision has been made in the Motorway and Trunk Road Programme for 2000-02 to commence the programme of refurbishment work.Until the progra…

1 Dec 1999 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what representations it has made to Her Majesty's Government regarding the upgrading to full motorway status of the section of the M6/M74 corridor which is the responsibility of Her Majesty's Government.

Answer · Sarah Boyack: I met recently with the Secretary of State for Scotland and Lord Macdonald of Tradeston to emphasise the importance of this section of the route to Scotland and the north west of England. The Executive is also represented by an official on the Steering Group …

1 Dec 1999 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether the contribution of sleep apnoea to fatal road accidents is being considered as part of the UK-wide review of speed policy in which it is participating.

Answer · Sarah Boyack: The GB Road Safety Strategy for the period to 2010, which is nearing completion, will address issues related to driver fatigue including sleep related accidents. The GB Speed Policy review itself, however, is not looking at the contribution of sleep apnoea to…

1 Dec 1999 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what action it is taking to assess the residual life of non-trunk road surfaces in Scotland and to ensure that grant-aided expenditure allocations to local authorities resource them adequately to maintain that part of the roads network which is their responsibility.

Answer · Sarah Boyack: The assessment, maintenance and improvement of such road surfaces is entirely a matter for the Councils as local roads authorities. The total of grant-aided expenditure which the Scottish Executive allocated to local authorities in 1999-2000 allowed for a rea…

1 Dec 1999 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what mechanism exists for roads not included in the recent Scottish Strategic Roads Review to be assessed in future for major upgrading by the Scottish Executive.

Answer · Sarah Boyack: The Executive has prepared Route Profiles of all routes in the trunk road network. These Profiles summarise the key aspects of each route in terms of its operation, safety and maintenance. These profiles are currently being updated and will be used to highlig…

1 Dec 1999 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether, following publication of the Standing Advisory Committee on Trunk Road Assessment report, it will issue guidance to local enterprise companies and local authorities on how to assess potential local economic benefits from potential trunk road improvements.

Answer · Sarah Boyack: In the light of the SACTRA report, officials are considering how local economic impact assessments could be improved. The Executive is currently developing guidance to assist with the multi-modal corridor studies which I announced following the Strategic Road…

1 Dec 1999 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-1493 by Sarah Boyack on 9 September 1999, whether it plans to erect safety barriers along the dualled section of the A82 in Dumbarton.

Answer · Sarah Boyack: There are no plans to install central reserve safety fencing on the urban section of the A82 trunk road in Dumbarton, which is subject to a 40 mph speed limit.