- Asked by: Kenny MacAskill, MSP for Lothians, Scottish National Party
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Date lodged: Thursday, 09 September 2004
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Current Status:
Answered by Nicol Stephen on 23 September 2004
To ask the Scottish Executive what access improvement projects it has supported, and is currently supporting, for train stations.
Answer
The Scottish Executive is funding works to improve access at specific points on the network in Scotland.
| Local Authority Area | Type of Works |
| Angus Council | Montrose footbridge, lifts at Arbroath |
| East Renfrewshire Council | Disabled access at: Williamwood Clarkston. Giffnock, Patterton, Thornliebank, Neilston, Whitecraigs and Barrhead |
| Fife Council | Footbridge at Inverkeithing, Markinch and Rosyth |
| South Lanarkshire Council | Access Ramp to platform from car park at Newton. |
| Dumfries and Galloway Council | Footbridge at Lockerbie |
In addition, access improvements are being supported by the Scottish Executive through funding awards to the regional transport partnerships and a station platform lengthening programme.
- Asked by: Kenny MacAskill, MSP for Lothians, Scottish National Party
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Date lodged: Wednesday, 08 September 2004
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Current Status:
Answered by Nicol Stephen on 23 September 2004
To ask the Scottish Executive how much traffic has been removed from the roads as a result of the Freight Facilities Grant awarded to BP at Grangemouth.
Answer
A total of 5.9 million lorry miles were removed from Scotland’s roads as a result of this award of grant during the first two years of operation from April 2002 to March 2004.
- Asked by: Kenny MacAskill, MSP for Lothians, Scottish National Party
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Date lodged: Wednesday, 08 September 2004
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Current Status:
Answered by Nicol Stephen on 23 September 2004
To ask the Scottish Executive what progress has been made with the installation of the disabled access footbridge at Lockerbie rail station.
Answer
Network Rail have now allocated their own staff resources to this project, enabling detailed design work to proceed and a realistic work programme to be drawn up.
- Asked by: Kenny MacAskill, MSP for Lothians, Scottish National Party
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Date lodged: Wednesday, 08 September 2004
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Current Status:
Answered by Nicol Stephen on 23 September 2004
To ask the Scottish Executive what progress is being made with the delivery of the Gourock interchange.
Answer
We understand that Inverclyde Council and Network Rail, as the main parties, have made progress in agreeing outline development and design proposals for the Gourock transport interchange.
- Asked by: Kenny MacAskill, MSP for Lothians, Scottish National Party
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Date lodged: Wednesday, 08 September 2004
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Current Status:
Answered by Nicol Stephen on 23 September 2004
To ask the Scottish Executive who will be responsible for future maintenance costs associated with the disabled access footbridge at Lockerbie rail station.
Answer
Provision for maintenance until the end of the current Office of the Rail Regulator control period will be included in the cost analysis that will be part of the project development work. A key consideration is that any additional infrastructure will require the maintenance and station long-term charge costs to be underwritten by others. This area will be explored in more detail during the project development work.
- Asked by: Kenny MacAskill, MSP for Lothians, Scottish National Party
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Date lodged: Wednesday, 08 September 2004
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Current Status:
Answered by Nicol Stephen on 23 September 2004
To ask the Scottish Executive whether there is a list of rail stations that have been prioritised for access improvements and, if so, what the criteria are for such prioritisation.
Answer
The Strategic Rail Authority intends to consult shortly on its proposed Access for All programme, which seeks to identify stations that are a high priority for access improvements. It will consider – amongst other things – station usage, geographic criteria, and a project’s interaction with initiatives by third parties. Additionally, there are a number of on-going projects in Scotland which will enhance access to stations and their services. These improvements include better provision for disabled people and enhanced public transport, cycle and pedestrian access.
- Asked by: Kenny MacAskill, MSP for Lothians, Scottish National Party
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Date lodged: Wednesday, 08 September 2004
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Current Status:
Answered by Nicol Stephen on 23 September 2004
To ask the Scottish Executive who will operate and manage the Stirling-Alloa-Kincardine railway line once it has been completed.
Answer
Once constructed, it is intended that the line will be transferred by Clackmannanshire Council to Network Rail to own, operate and maintain.
- Asked by: Kenny MacAskill, MSP for Lothians, Scottish National Party
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Date lodged: Wednesday, 08 September 2004
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Current Status:
Answered by Nicol Stephen on 23 September 2004
To ask the Scottish Executive, in light of the proposal to devolve further powers to it in respect of railways, whether rail funding will be allocated through the block grant or the National Track Access regime; what its powers over Network Rail will be; whether it or the Office of the Rail Regulator will have the power to direct Network Rail’s investment in Scotland; in what way Network Rail will be accountable to (a) it and (b) the Parliament, and whether the devolution of additional powers will enable the Executive to control the operation of railway infrastructure and to lead its development, including operational maintenance and renewal.
Answer
It has been agreed with the UK Government that, in future, the Scottish Executive will specify network outputs to be delivered by Network Rail and fund Scottish infrastructure costs. This agreement is subject to a fair and appropriate transfer of funding to enable the Executive to undertake these additional responsibilities. Network Rail will be responsible for operating the network and for its performance.
The Office of Rail Regulation will have the same responsibilities in Scotland as in England and Wales, covering safety, performance and cost. In reportingon its performance, Network Rail will separately identify activity in Scotland.
- Asked by: Kenny MacAskill, MSP for Lothians, Scottish National Party
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Date lodged: Wednesday, 08 September 2004
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Current Status:
Answered by Nicol Stephen on 23 September 2004
To ask the Scottish Executive who will (a) own and (b) fund the proposed Edinburgh Airport rail station.
Answer
Ownership of the station is under discussion between Transport Innovative Edinburgh Limited, the British Airports Authority and Network Rail. The detailed funding arrangements for the Edinburgh Airport Rail Link has not yet been agreed.
- Asked by: Kenny MacAskill, MSP for Lothians, Scottish National Party
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Date lodged: Wednesday, 08 September 2004
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Current Status:
Answered by Nicol Stephen on 23 September 2004
To ask the Scottish Executive what criteria were applied in the provision of funding for the disabled access footbridge at Lockerbie rail station.
Answer
The decision by the Scottish Executive to make available funding of up to £750,000 for a new footbridge at Lockerbie rail station, allowing disabled access to the southbound platform, was taken largely because of the station’s isolation within the rail network, and the infrequency of stopping passenger services. Passengers with disabilities who cannot access the existing footbridge at Lockerbie must make a return journey of an additional 50 miles to Carlisle, which has obvious significant impacts on both length of journey and the times of day when such a journey can be made.
