A total of 102 inspections were undertaken between 2022 and 2024, broken down as follows:

2022 – 18 Inspections

2023 – 52 Inspections

2024 – 32 Inspections

The inspections indicated that all of the bridges are in an acceptable condition. There are a number of new structures on AWPR, which are not yet due their first planned inspection. When these are inspected they are expected to be in good condition.

All trunk road structures and assets are subjected to regular inspections to ensure the continued integrity of the structures and identify any necessary repairs.

All the decisions made by the Energy Consents Unit and determinations made by Scottish Ministers are publicly available on our Energy Consents website: https://www.energyconsents.scot/ApplicationSearch.aspx

Ministers whose responsibilities included making determinations in the last year are: Dr Alasdair Allan MSP as Minister for Climate Action, myself as Cabinet Secretary for Net Zero and Energy, Miri McAllan MSP as Cabinet Secretary for Net Zero and Energy, and Neil Gray MSP as Cabinet Secretary for Wellbeing Economy, Fair Work and Energy. Decisions made by Scottish Ministers are done so on the basis of collective responsibility. All decisions reached by the Scottish Ministers, individually or collectively, are binding on all members of the Government.

Scottish Government is committed to minimising disruption to scheduled surgeries and is working in collaboration with the Centre for Sustainable Delivery (CfSD) and NHS Boards to ensure appropriate clinical pathways are in place to meet demand, and ensure patients are seen at the right place, right time.

In addition to existing policies in place that address situations where patients who are deemed ready for discharge refuse to leave hospital, the Scottish Government continues to meet with NHS Boards to understand what actions can be taken to inform policy development and seek assurances on the implementation of Discharge without Delay and Home First principles, and reduce instances of patients refusing to leave hospital after being deemed fit for discharge.

I refer the member to the answer to the question S6W-33259 on 11 February 2025. 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

I refer the member to the answer to the question S6W-34080 on 13 February 2025. 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

I refer the member to the answer to the question S6W-33259 on 11 February 2025. 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

Maintenance/replacement costs for road studs on the A90 from August 2022 can be seen in table A.

Table A

I refer the member to the answer to the question S6W-34080 on 13 February 2025. 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

Where a patient deemed ready for discharge refuses to leave hospital, there is a clearly defined procedure in place: