- Asked by: Jamie McGrigor, MSP for Highlands and Islands, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
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Date lodged: Thursday, 09 April 2009
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Current Status:
Answered by Stewart Stevenson on 8 May 2009
To ask the Scottish Executive what consultation local authorities are required to undertake with local businesses and other stakeholders before granting permission to utility companies to undertake major works involving digging up streets that may lead to disruption and loss of amenity.
Answer
There is no statutory requirement on local authorities to consult with local businesses regarding planned road works.
Before carrying out major works, it is normal practice for most utility companies to consult local businesses and other stakeholders in order to minimise the inconvenience caused by their activities. The Transport (Scotland) Act 2005 places a requirement on road authorities and utility companies to co-ordinate and plan works where possible. The Office of the Scottish Road Works Commissioner has been established to oversee compliance with the provisions of the 2005 act.
- Asked by: Jamie McGrigor, MSP for Highlands and Islands, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
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Date lodged: Thursday, 09 April 2009
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Current Status:
Answered by Stewart Stevenson on 8 May 2009
To ask the Scottish Executive what guidance is given to local authorities on the most appropriate time of year for giving planning permission to utility companies for works that involve digging up streets such as infrastructure upgrades.
Answer
No specific guidance is issued to local authorities. In most circumstances the Town and Country Planning (General Permitted Development) (Scotland) Order 1992, as amended, grants a general planning permission that allows many utility companies and other statutory undertakers to carry out works, including the laying of underground pipes and other apparatus, without the need for the submission of a formal planning application. In the event that an application for formal planning permission was required, the requirements for neighbour notification, advertising and consultation with statutory bodies would depend on the circumstances of the case.
Before starting works, utility companies are required by law to notify the relevant roads authority of their intention by placing a notice on the Scottish Road Works Register. Information on the register is available and accessible to all users of the road. Information on current and planned road works can be accessed at www.roadworksscotland.org. The Office of the Scottish Road Works Commissioner has been established to oversee compliance with the provisions of the legislation.
- Asked by: Jamie McGrigor, MSP for Highlands and Islands, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
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Date lodged: Thursday, 09 April 2009
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Current Status:
Answered by Stewart Stevenson on 8 May 2009
To ask the Scottish Executive what its response is to the concerns of local businesses, especially in towns that depend on income from summer tourism, that utility companies are given permission to undertake major works that involve digging up streets during the summer months.
Answer
While it is appreciated that road improvements and road works by utility companies can be an inconvenience, they are a necessary fact of life, both to improve the road network and to supply consumers with the services they require. Although the vast majority of works are of a relatively short timescale and are unlikely to have any significant effect on business, other long-term works can and do cause disruption on a longer term basis.
In many instances, major road works need to be carried out during the summer months when there is less risk of inclement weather preventing the roads authorities or utilities from completing their works within agreed timescales.
Before starting works, utility companies are required by law to notify the relevant roads authority of their intention by placing a notice on the Scottish Road Works Register. Information on the register is available and accessible to all users of the road. Information on current and planned road works can be accessed at www.roadworksscotland.org. The Office of the Scottish Road Works Commissioner has been established to oversee compliance with the provisions of the legislation.
- Asked by: Jamie McGrigor, MSP for Highlands and Islands, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
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Date lodged: Thursday, 23 April 2009
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Current Status:
Answered by Jim Mather on 8 May 2009
To ask the Scottish Executive whether the people on the island of Barra were consulted about the internet package that they were to receive, as set up by Highlands and Islands Enterprise, and whether the Scottish Government is aware of subsequent concerns that have been expressed about the reliability of this package.
Answer
Highlands and Islands Enterprise, which deals with all operational matters around the design, delivery and management of Connected Communities, has stated that it is not aware of any broadband provider which has consulted communities before delivering a service. The Scottish Government has been made aware of some concerns which have been raised about the reliability of the package offered by Connected Communities and has immediately drawn these to the attention of HIE and Connected Communities.
- Asked by: Jamie McGrigor, MSP for Highlands and Islands, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
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Date lodged: Thursday, 23 April 2009
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Current Status:
Answered by Jim Mather on 8 May 2009
To ask the Scottish Executive what its response is to concerns that the Connected Communities initiative offering broadband internet connection to the people on the island of Barra may not be suited to the hilly terrain of the island and that this may have affected the reliability of the service.
Answer
I am advised by Highlands and Islands Enterprise, which deals with all operational matters around the design, delivery and management of Connected Communities, that the terrain in Barra is no different to all the other areas across the Western Isles being served successfully with the same network equipment, and that it would appear that reliability of a broadband internet connection is not therefore affected by the hilly terrain.
- Asked by: Jamie McGrigor, MSP for Highlands and Islands, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
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Date lodged: Thursday, 23 April 2009
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Current Status:
Answered by Jim Mather on 8 May 2009
To ask the Scottish Executive what its response is to local concerns about whether Concom, which supplies parts of the Western Isles with broadband internet access, is on an equal footing in terms of quality and reliability with BT Broadband, which is used by the rest of the United Kingdom.
Answer
Customer satisfaction of Connected Communities'' broadband service is a matter for Highlands and Islands Enterprise, which deals with all operational matters around the design, delivery and management of the Connected Communities network.
- Asked by: Jamie McGrigor, MSP for Highlands and Islands, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
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Date lodged: Thursday, 23 April 2009
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Current Status:
Answered by Jim Mather on 8 May 2009
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it considers that the people on the island of Barra are satisfied with their internet service provided by the Connected Communities initiative.
Answer
The Scottish Government is aware of a local campaign, predominantly in Northbay, from existing and potential users who would prefer a BT solution.
- Asked by: Jamie McGrigor, MSP for Highlands and Islands, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
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Date lodged: Thursday, 23 April 2009
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Current Status:
Answered by Jim Mather on 6 May 2009
To ask the Scottish Executive how many residents of the island of Barra have had access to reliable broadband internet under the Connected Communities initiative.
Answer
Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE), which deals with all operational matters around the design, delivery and management of Connected Communities, has confirmed that 23 Barra residents currently have access to a reliable broadband service through Connected Communities, with another 21 live orders which are ready for installation now. Connected Communities'' orders in Barra therefore currently total 44. This comprises 26 connections in the Northbay area, and also another 18 in the Castlebay area, from premises unable to receive a BT broadband service due to distance from the exchange. Furthermore, HIE is unaware of any resident who wishes to order a service but who has been unable to do so, in the Connected Communities designated coverage area in Barra (Eoligarry and Northbay).
- Asked by: Jamie McGrigor, MSP for Highlands and Islands, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
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Date lodged: Thursday, 23 April 2009
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Current Status:
Answered by Jim Mather on 6 May 2009
To ask the Scottish Executive whether residents of the Western Isles who are linked to the Connected Communities initiative, such as people on the island of Barra, have access to a choice of broadband service provider.
Answer
The Connected Communities network is a wholesale network which is open to any broadband provider who wishes to offer its services, however currently, only one such provider has taken advantage of this opportunity. Highlands and Islands Enterprise, which deals with all operational issues around the network''s design, delivery and management, continues to market the network to other broadband providers, and is currently in discussion with a number of providers who may be interested in providing an alternative service over the network.
- Asked by: Jamie McGrigor, MSP for Highlands and Islands, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
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Date lodged: Thursday, 23 April 2009
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Current Status:
Answered by Jim Mather on 6 May 2009
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it would be possible to transfer the Connected Communities network, established by Highlands and Islands Enterprise, to a different broadband service on the island of Barra and whether any other service might provide wider internet coverage.
Answer
Highlands and Islands Enterprise, which deals with all operational matters around the design, delivery and management of Connected Communities, has advised me that there is no alternative broadband service covering the whole of Barra, to which to transfer the Connected Communities network. It is not possible to know if an alternative broadband service would provide wider coverage than that provided by the Connected Communities network. Furthermore, the Connected Communities network is providing broadband services to those end-users unable to obtain a broadband service from the BT broadband-enabled exchange in Castlebay in the south of Barra. There have been no reported instances of any end-user from the Northbay and Eoligarry areas in the north of Barra who has requested a service from Connected Communities but who has been unable to be provided with one.
