Claire Baker

26 Jul 2007 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to implement the principles of the Strategic Funding Review.

Answer · John Swinney: The work of theStrategic Funding Review concluded in February 2007, with the agreement of theConvention of Scottish Local Authorities and the Scottish Council for VoluntaryOrganisations. The final two papers from the review, on support services andfull cost r…

26 Jul 2007 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether it still fully supports the principles of A Vision for the Voluntary sector: The Next Phase of Our Relationship.

Answer · Jim Mather: The Scottish Governmentis committed to supporting the third sector. We believe that the third sector hasa major role to play in delivering our overarching purpose which is to focusgovernment and public services on creating a more successful country, with oppo…

6 Jul 2007 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what it considers to be a tolerable minimum lifespan for the proposed new Forth road crossing.

Answer · Stewart Stevenson: Any new crossing will beconstructed with a 120 year design life. This assumes a regular and appropriatemaintenance cycle in order to sustain the structure.</p>

6 Jul 2007 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has ruled out charging tolls on the new Forth road crossing once it has been completed.

Answer · Stewart Stevenson: Further work on fundingoptions for the crossing will take place over the summer to allow a decision tobe made in autumn 2007.</p>

6 Jul 2007 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to consult the people, communities, businesses and voluntary organisations of Fife on the new Forth road crossing other than through the public information exhibitions announced by the Minister for Transport, Infrastructure and Climate Change (Official Report c.1132).

Answer · Stewart Stevenson: The public information eventswill present the facts which underpin the published study reports. Statutoryconsultation will be undertaken as part of the authorisation for the crossing.</p>

6 Jul 2007 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive where and when the public information exhibitions on the new Forth road crossing announced by the Minister for Transport, Infrastructure and Climate Change (Official Report c. 1132) will take place.

Answer · Stewart Stevenson: Transport Scotland iscurrently planning a programme of events for the end of August. The details andlocations will be confirmed as soon as possible with advertisements appearingthe local press.</p>

6 Jul 2007 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to consult the people, communities, businesses and voluntary organisations of Fife regarding (a) the location of the new Forth road crossing, (b) whether the new crossing takes the form of a tunnel or bridge, (c) the timetable for starting and completing the construction…

Answer · Stewart Stevenson: Transport Scotlandwill hold public information events over the summer to present the finding of the Forth Replacement Crossing Study reports. This will involve hearing theviews of people who may be affected by any of the crossing options and willinclude discu…

6 Jul 2007 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether it plans to include a rail crossing, or other public transport provision, with the new Forth road crossing.

Answer · Stewart Stevenson: Provision for enhancedpublic transport will be incorporated into the replacement crossing in order tomanage predicted increase in demand for cross Forth travel. However, thecrossing will not include heavy rail since sufficient capacity exists on theexisting F…

6 Jul 2007 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether the new Forth road crossing will be additional to the current Forth Road Bridge or a replacement.

Answer · Stewart Stevenson: The primary purpose of theForth Replacement Crossing study was to investigate the form, function andlocation of a replacement for the existing crossing. The study has alsoreflected on the potential role of two crossings being operated in future.</p>

6 Jul 2007 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive how many journeys were made by HGVs across the Forth Road Bridge in each of the last three years.

Answer · Stewart Stevenson: This information is a matterfor the Forth Estuary Transport Authority (FETA) and can be accessed on FETA’swebsite at: <a href="http://www.feta.gov.uk/">www.feta.gov.uk</a>.</p><p>FETA records information fortraffic and revenue purposes on vehicles that cross …

6 Jul 2007 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what its estimates are of the financial costs per year to (a) Fife, (b) the Lothians and (c) Scotland of closing the Forth Road Bridge to HGVs before a new crossing is complete.

Answer · Stewart Stevenson: The estimated cost to the Scottish economy of a ban on HGVs crossing the Forth Road Bridge before a new crossing is completed is estimated to be in the order of £20 million a year at current prices. This represents the cost to Scotland as a whole and comprise…

6 Jul 2007 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what contingency plans it has in place to ensure that HGV vehicles are able to cross the Firth of Forth in the event that the current Forth Road Bridge has to close to HGVs before a new crossing is built.

Answer · Stewart Stevenson: Detailed planning work isbeing undertaken by officials from Transport Scotland, Scottish Executiveand the Forth Estuary Transport Authority to examine what measures might berequired.</p>

6 Jul 2007 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive when it expects to complete construction of a new road crossing for the Firth of Forth.

Answer · Stewart Stevenson: The earliest date forcompletion of a Forth crossing is 2016.</p>

6 Jul 2007 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive on what date it expects the Forth Road Bridge to have to close to HGVs.

Answer · Stewart Stevenson: It is currently not knownwhen, or if, restrictions to HGVs will be required on the Forth Road Bridge. Thebridge is owned and operated by the Forth Estuary Transport Authority.Transport Scotland is working closely with FETA to ensure that it is aware inadvance…