Question reference: S1W-02674
- Asked by: Kenneth Gibson, MSP for Glasgow, Scottish National Party
- Date lodged: 19 November 1999
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Current status: Answered by Sarah Boyack on 10 December 1999
Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what it anticipates will be the net loss or gain in jobs and investment in the west of Scotland if the M74 Northern Extension is not built.
Answer
The recent report by the Standing Advisory Committee on Trunk Road Assessment (SACTRA) on "Transport and the Economy" highlighted the complexities associated with analysing the local economic impacts of transport schemes. They cautioned against exaggerated claims for the significance of such impacts, and argued that studies of local economic development impacts should take full account of the likely displacement of jobs from other areas. The report set out a number of recommendations on how such studies should be carried out. The Executive is currently considering, with the Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions, the implications of the SACTRA report for its future appraisal methodology.The appraisal carried out for the Strategic Roads Review indicated that the M74 Northern Extension would be likely to have an overall positive impact on the local economy. At this stage, it is impossible to be more precise than this.