Chamber and committees

There is no specific allocation within consequentials arising from support for large self-catering though we have ensured that they have received financial support via the Strategic Framework Business Fund, and Business Restart Grants as well as a tailored package of support to help mitigate against the impact of the single household restrictions via the large self-catering and exclusive use support funds. This is in addition to the 100% Business Rates Relief that we have provided for all businesses in the Hospitality, Retail and Leisure Sectors for both the 20/21 and 21/22 Financial Years. We also ensured businesses not on the NDR roll were eligible for equivalent Strategic Framework Business Fund support via the small accommodation providers council tax fund (SAP-CT).

I refer the member to the answer to question S6W-00322 on 16 June 2021. All answers to written Parliamentary Questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at https://www.parliament.scot/chamber-and-committees/written-questions-and-answers

We have a record number of people registered with a NHS dentist, more than 95% of the population of Scotland.

We intend to build on this success story which is why as part of this Government’s Manifesto Commitment, all NHS dental charges will be removed in the lifetime of this Parliament.

We are committed to improving safety on our trunk roads including the A77. We have invested over £88.7 million on the A77 since 2007 to ensure its safe and efficient operation. In addition, we have spent approximately £35 million on four separate road schemes on the A77 and are currently constructing the Maybole Bypass at a cost of £29 million.

We carry out an annual road safety review on the entire trunk road network including the A77. From this review a number of schemes were completed in the last year including the installation of safety measures at the A77 / A751 junction north of Cairnryan, upgraded road markings on the approach to Dutchhouse Roundabout and a scheme is programed for construction shortly to upgrade the street lighting columns at the Holmston Roundabout with passively safe columns.

Other schemes currently under design include the signalisation of the Doonholm Road junction at Ayr, further safe systems measures including upgraded traffic signs, safety barriers and footway improvements at the A751 junction and measures to manage speed of traffic through Girvan.

Additional average speed cameras were installed and became operational on 29 April 2021 on the A77 Ayr Bypass between Whitletts Roundabout and Bankfield Roundabout.

As part of a package of measures to encourage active travel, removing barriers to accessibility and improve pedestrian and cycle safety we are also investigating upgrades to the existing footway from Bogend Toll to Dutchhouse Roundabout, increasing the width of the shared use path from Holmston to Whittlets Roundabout and a pedestrian crossing assessment is currently ongoing in Kirkoswald.

The roll out of 1140 hours will be completed across all 32 local authorities in August 2021 when the statutory duty on local authorities comes into force.

I refer the member to the answer to question S6W-00577 on 16 June 2021. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at http://www.parliament.scot/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx

I have recently written to Ms Vicky Ford MP, Parliamentary Under- Secretary of State for Children and Families, to request a meeting to discuss this issue.

As I have confirmed to Parliament, I am open to constructive and viable suggestions for improving matters and we are actively exploring opportunities for chartering additional tonnage to increase resilience across the network.

Chartering an additional freight vessel for the Stornoway-Ullapool route from June to September, in order to free up deck capacity for resident and visitor vehicles, was identified as a short-term option in recent Outer Hebrides Scottish Transport Appraisal Guidance (STAG) study report. However, charter options for such a freight vessel have not been readily available. We would also need to carefully consider the business case around charter, purchase or new build of a vessel as part of work for the Islands Connectivity Plan.

The chartering of the MV Pentalina was considered in late 2019 when it became surplus to Pentland Ferries requirements with the introduction of their new vessel. At that point however the proposed charter terms would not allow the vessel to be meaningfully deployed to support the network .

Transport Scotland officials meet regularly with their counterparts at Caledonian Maritime Assets Ltd (CMAL) and CalMac Ferries Ltd to discuss future investment in vessels and harbours for the Clyde and Hebrides network, primarily but not exclusively at a formal bi-monthly programme board. Discussions have produced a forward programme which was summarised for the next five years in Annex D of the Scottish Government's Infrastructure Investment Plan published 4 February 2021 and is also reflected in the CMAL Business Plan 2021-2024 published 9 April 2021.