Chamber and committees

Transport Scotland officials will engage with interested local authorities, and proceed with shared discussions to consider the potential risks, benefits and opportunities of trialling and ultimately introducing side road zebra crossings in Scotland. Transport Scotland officials are also engaging with the Department for Transport regarding on-site trials conducted in England.

In considering the provision of specialist services, NHS Boards are expected to plan capacity in line with population need and service demand, supported by regional and national collaboration where appropriate.

We are aware of pressures within some specialist services, including in the West of Scotland, and expect Boards to take these into account as part of their ongoing service planning and prioritisation.

The planning and delivery of services sits with NHS Boards, who are responsible for ensuring appropriate pathways are in place for assessment, diagnosis and treatment based on the needs of their local populations.

The Scottish Government supports NHS Boards through wider work to improve access to specialist services and strengthen pathways across primary, community and specialist care, with a particular focus on reducing unwarranted variation and ensuring the sustainability of services.

The Road Safety Framework to 2030 sets out Scotland’s ambition to reduce deaths and serious injuries by 50% and to have the best road safety performance in the world by 2030.

To support this ambition, the Scottish Government is investing £41 million in road safety in 2026-27. This includes £750,000 to our established Road Safety Framework Fund in 2026-27. This fund enables local authorities and partners to develop and deliver targeted road safety initiatives, any applications for Community Speed Watch initiatives would be considered through this fund. These projects play an important role in promoting safer driving behaviours, supporting communities, and helping to reduce casualties across Scotland’s road network.

The Scottish Government is committed to supporting the transition to electric vehicles (EVs) by ensuring that charging infrastructure is comprehensive, convenient, and accessible to all. I understand the importance of enabling those without access to off street parking to charge their vehicles conveniently, safely and cost-effectively.

The Road (Scotland) Act 1984 identifies that responsibility for private installations sits with local roads authorities. Under Section 109 of the New Roads and Street Works Act 1991, local authorities have the power to issue permits for the installation of private apparatus, such as cross-pavement charging. Decisions about permitting cross-pavement charging are therefore the responsibility of Scotland’s local authorities.

On 22 May, the Scottish Collaboration of Transport Specialists (SCOTS), a strategic collaborative body representing Scotland’s 32 local authorities and seven regional transport partnerships, published guidance on cross-pavement charging, following a consultation with Scotland’s roads authorities. This guidance addresses legal, safety, and accessibility issues and supports local authorities to make decisions on cross-pavement charging.

Through our Cross-Pavement Charging Grant Fund, this Government is providing up to £3,500 to households to support the installation of cross-pavement charging solutions for domestic properties that lack off-street parking, subject to local authority approval.

I can confirm that the Scottish Government has recently amended the Minimum Requirements for the Location of a Border Control Post through The Official Controls (Location of Border Control Posts) (Scotland) Regulations 2026.

This amendment came into force on 21 March 2026. This amendment allows goods to arrive at a point of entry and then transit to an appropriately designated Border Control Post (BCP), provided that both the point of entry and the BCP are located within the same Scottish Green Freeport zone or within the outer boundary of that Freeport.

The Scottish Government committed to implement 20mph speed limits on those roads where it is appropriate to do so across Scotland. Assessment criteria were prepared in conjunction with the Society of Chief Officers of Transportation in Scotland (SCOTS), Police Scotland, Transport Scotland and various local authorities to identify which roads can be considered as ‘appropriate’

A total of 104 locations were assessed by Transport Scotland for introduction of 20mph speed limits in line with the assessment criteria. Of the 104 locations, 75 were identified as being suitable for a 20mph speed limit. It has been agreed that implementation of one of the two sections of 20mph speed limit on the A78 in Greenock will be delayed until completion of major roadworks in the area.

Of the remaining 74 locations, all are currently operating with a 20mph speed limit in place.

Since the lodging of the members question, NatureScot have now received a licence application to permit the taking of gannets on Sula Sgeir.

In determining an application for a licence, NatureScot must consider whether the hunt is sustainable, in that it would not have an adverse effect on the conservation status of the species concerned.

NatureScot will assess the application in accordance with existing legal frameworks, including provisions of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 (as amended) and the obligations set out in the Conservation (Natural Habitats, &c) Regulations 1994 (‘the Habitats Regulations’), which provide protection to the qualifying features of North Rona and Sula Sgeir Special Protection Area (SPA).

The assessment undertaken by NatureScot will be informed by the latest scientific evidence including an updated population viability analysis model.

The Scottish Government recognises the importance of supporting biodiversity, including addressing the decline in species such as swifts, and acknowledges the significance of initiatives such as World Migratory Bird Day.

The Natural Environment (Scotland) Act 2026 includes provision to introduce regulations requiring the installation of swift nest boxes in specified new buildings where reasonably practicable and appropriate. We anticipate that these provisions will be brought forward as part of a phased implementation programme. We will set out further details about the timetable for commencing and implementing the individual provisions in the Act, in due course. We will continue to fully engage with stakeholders throughout the commencement and implementation phases. This will include engagement in relation to changes to building regulations and consultation arrangements. We will ensure stakeholders and members of the public have sufficient time to prepare before we commence any provisions that would directly impact on them.

12 local authorities have completed their rollout of 20 mph speed limits on appropriate roads with a further 4 due to complete by September. Officials are working closely with the remaining local authorities to support delivery across Scotland.