- Asked by: Alex Neil, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish National Party
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Date lodged: Monday, 05 December 2005
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Current Status:
Answered by Cathy Jamieson on 15 December 2005
To ask the Scottish Executive, in light of the answers to questions S2W-20244 and S2W-20247 by Cathy Jamieson on 9 November 2005 and the level of media publicity regarding the case referred to in these answers, whether it is able to release any further information and whether it is able to comment on those matters beyond the fact that the case is active and what the reasons are for its position on the matter.
Answer
The case remains sub judice and I am not able to comment further.
- Asked by: Alex Neil, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish National Party
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Date lodged: Wednesday, 30 November 2005
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Current Status:
Answered by Tavish Scott on 15 December 2005
To ask the Scottish Executive what it considers the benefits to be of the new Auchenkilns grade separated junction on the A80.
Answer
The new junction has removed a significant bottleneck from the A80. It will greatly ease traffic flow, improving journey times, reliability and removing pollution generated as a result of queueing traffic.
- Asked by: Alex Neil, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish National Party
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Date lodged: Wednesday, 30 November 2005
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Current Status:
Answered by Tavish Scott on 15 December 2005
To ask the Scottish Executive what the latest cost estimates are for (a) upgrading the A80 from Stepps to Haggs through Cumbernauld to full motorway status and (b) constructing a motorway through the identified Kelvin Valley route to join the M80 at Stepps to the M80 at Haggs.
Answer
The estimated total scheme cost of the on line route lies in the range £127 million to £146 million excluding VAT at 2004 quarter 1 prices. The equivalent range for a route through the Kelvin Valley is £239 to £271 million.
- Asked by: Alex Neil, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish National Party
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Date lodged: Wednesday, 30 November 2005
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Current Status:
Answered by Tavish Scott on 15 December 2005
To ask the Scottish Executive whether an upgrade to the A80 from Stepps to Haggs through Cumbernauld to full motorway status would accommodate the volume of traffic expected on that route in (a) 10, (b) 20 and (c) 30 years time.
Answer
The M80 on line upgrade is not designed for unconstrained growth. If required, integral demand management measures will be deployed to maintain an acceptable level of service on the route.
- Asked by: Alex Neil, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish National Party
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Date lodged: Wednesday, 30 November 2005
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Current Status:
Answered by Tavish Scott on 15 December 2005
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will allow for sufficient room for the construction of a hard shoulder in any new motorways it plans to build.
Answer
Hard shoulders will be included where practicable and economic.
- Asked by: Alex Neil, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish National Party
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Date lodged: Wednesday, 30 November 2005
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Current Status:
Answered by Tavish Scott on 15 December 2005
To ask the Scottish Executive what its policy is on the construction of motorways through major urban settlements.
Answer
There is no pre-defined policy. The options for the route of a new motorway are judged against the Governments five assessment criteria of Integration, Economy, Safety, Environment, and Accessibility.
- Asked by: Alex Neil, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish National Party
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Date lodged: Wednesday, 30 November 2005
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Current Status:
Answered by Tavish Scott on 15 December 2005
To ask the Scottish Executive what its strategy is for increasing the use of public transport.
Answer
In 2005-06, for the first time, we are spending over £1 billion on transport, increasing to almost £1.4 billion by 2007-08. 70% of this will be spent on public transport over the period of the long-term investment plan.
This investment will lead to sustained improvements in public transport and encourage people to use sustainable forms of transport in preference to the car.
In terms of longer term strategy, the Executive is in the process of developing a National Transport Strategy (NTS) for Scotland. The NTS will give a long-term strategic framework for developments in all modes of transport, including public transport.
- Asked by: Alex Neil, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish National Party
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Date lodged: Wednesday, 30 November 2005
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Current Status:
Answered by Cathy Jamieson on 15 December 2005
To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S2W-20863 by Cathy Jamieson on 29 November 2005 and if it is the case that failure to meet a particular contractual commitment is not a breach of contract, what the definition is of a breach of contract.
Answer
I have asked Tony Cameron, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service to respond. His response is as follows:
The responsibilities of each of the contracting parties are fully defined in the Minute of the Agreement to the contract which can be viewed at www.sps.gov.uk.
- Asked by: Alex Neil, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish National Party
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Date lodged: Wednesday, 30 November 2005
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Current Status:
Answered by Tavish Scott on 15 December 2005
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it takes the impact on the (a) environment and (b) health of the local population into consideration when deciding on the route of any motorway which it is considering constructing.
Answer
Yes. These issues are covered in an Environmental Statement which is published with the draft scheme orders.
- Asked by: Alex Neil, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish National Party
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Date lodged: Wednesday, 30 November 2005
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Current Status:
Answered by Tavish Scott on 15 December 2005
To ask the Scottish Executive what the impact would be on air pollution and noise pollution in the immediate vicinity of the A80 through Cumbernauld if it was upgraded to full motorway status.
Answer
In terms of air quality, more locations will experience beneficial rather than adverse impacts. The benefits would be greatest in the bypassed communities of Muirhead, Chryston and Moodiesburn. Between Mollinsburn and Haggs the majority of impacts will be insignificant. In terms of noise, the proposed scheme would result in a mostly beneficial impact on the area.
