Rural Economy and Connectivity Committee

Meeting date: Wednesday, October 25, 2017

Official Report 621KB pdf

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Subordinate Legislation

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M8/M73/M74 (30mph, 40mph and 50mph Speed Limit) Regulations 2017 (SSI 2017/286)

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Railway Closures (Exclusion) Scotland) Order 2017 (SSI 2017/280)

Item 2 is consideration of two negative instruments as detailed on the agenda. Members should note that no motion to annul has been received and there have been no representations on either instrument. Does anyone want to make any comments?

I refer to the M8/M73/M74 (30mph, 40mph and 50mph Speed Limit) Regulations 2017, which arise as a result of road improvements that were made on the M8, the M73 and the M74. The regulations reduce the speed limits in some cases from the national motorway speed limit of 70mph to 30mph, 40mph or 50mph. I note that most of the reductions are on the M8, the M73 or the M74, but the A725 and A726 are also affected. Most of the reductions are on slip road exits or entries to the motorways, but certain parts of the eastbound, westbound and circular carriageways of some of the roads are also affected.

I am not against the regulations, but what action will be taken to inform drivers of the change to the speed limits? The limits on certain parts of the motorways have been in place for a number of years. I would like drivers to know that there will be a change, because otherwise the police who go along the motorways may capture drivers who do not know that the speed limit has changed on certain sections. I would like the committee to comment on that.

As you are not objecting to the regulations, are you happy for the committee to raise the matter with the minister in writing, stating that we feel that the speed limits should be properly signposted so that people are aware of them? Would that satisfy you?

Yes. I would be obliged for that.

The other instrument is about the closure of a railway station. I am afraid that I cannot say anything other than that, as it does not exist any more—it has been landscaped into the ground and removed—I assume that no one has any comments.

For the benefit of the casual listener who may hear this, I note that it has been replaced by a superb piece of infrastructure. I think that it is appropriate to commend the improvement work that has gone on in the area.

I absolutely agree. The new station is infinitely better. I am glad that it has been built—as, I am sure, everyone is. However, the other one no longer exists.

Subject to our writing to the minister regarding the speed limits, is the committee happy not to make any recommendation in relation to the instruments?

Members indicated agreement.

That concludes our business. Thank you.

Meeting closed at 12:04.