Transport Scotland is leading work to provide firm proposals forthe most cost-effective ways to improve reliability, bring down journey times andprovide capacity for the expected continuing growth in rail passenger numbers betweenEdinburgh and Glasgow. Electrification is one possible option for achieving thisand the environmental impacts of this will be assessed as part of this work. Theresults of this will be reported in September and will be considered as part of the Strategic Transport Projects Review.

The Scottish Executiveagreed to support a hovercraft trial via SESTRAN. The trial was a public/privatepartnership involving a range of key interests - councils, SESTRAN and the operatorStagecoach. Results from the hovercraft trial will feed into the report commissionedby SESTRAN on cross-Forth ferry commuting possibilities. This report has not yetbeen finalised.

I refer the memberto the answer to question S3W-233 on 7 June 2007. All answers to written parliamentary questions are availableon the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/webapp/wa.search.

I refer the memberto the answer to question S3W-2702 on 23 August 2007. All answers to written parliamentary questions are availableon the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/webapp/wa.search.

Details and timescalesfor our major and important planned road projects, including those on the A82, canbe found on the Transport Scotland website at:http://www.transportscotland.gov.uk/index.aspx?pageID=1.

Future investmenton the trunk road network, including the A82, will emerge from the Strategic TransportProjects Review (STPR) which is due to report in summer 2008. Options emerging fromthe STPR will be assessed against the government’s strategic objectives and willbe formally appraised in accordance with the STAG (Scottish Transport AppraisalGuidance) process.

The Scottish Executivedoes not hold centrally the information in the form requested. However, ScottishTransport Statistics, published in 2006, shows in table 5.6 the condition oflocal authority roads by council area using an amber/red designation. This indicateswhether further investigation should be undertaken to establish if treatment isrequired or that repairs are required to prolong the life of the road structure.

This is a matter forAberdeen City and Aberdeenshire Councils.

Transport Scotlandcommissioned Network Rail to undertake a study into the potential electrificationof the Edinburgh to Glasgow rail route. This GRIP Stage 1 study included a summaryof the key issues by engineering discipline, a high level programme and estimatesof likely costs to +/- 50% quality. It was taken forward by Network Rail in consultationwith Transport Scotland and was published in June 2007. Electrification of the Edinburghto Glasgow line is now being considered as part of the wider work of improving reliability, reducing journey timesand providing capacity for the expected continuing growth in rail passenger numberson this route. First ScotRail and Network Rail are participating in this work. Theresults of this will be reported in September and will be considered as part of the Strategic Transport Projects Review.

Transport Scotland is leading work to provide firm proposals forthe most cost-effective ways to improve reliability, bring down journey times andprovide capacity for the expected continuing growth in rail passenger numbers betweenEdinburgh and Glasgow. Electrification is one possible option for achieving thisand the costs, risks and economic benefits of such a project will be consideredin the wider context of the above service improvements. The results of this willbe reported in September and will be considered as part of the Strategic TransportProjects Review.

Gateway reviews willbe scheduled at the appropriate points in the project development.