Chamber and committees

Questions and answers

Parliamentary questions can be asked by any MSP to the Scottish Government or the Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body. The questions provide a means for MSPs to get factual and statistical information.

Written questions must be answered within 10 working days (20 working days during recess)
Other questions such as Topical, Portfolio, General and First Minister's Question Times are taken in the Chamber

Urgent Questions aren't included in the Question and Answers search. There is a SPICe fact sheet listing Urgent and emergency questions.

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Question reference: S2W-24881

Asked by: Richard Baker, MSP for North East Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Thursday, 30 March 2006
Current Status: Answered by Johann Lamont on 26 April 2006

To ask the Scottish Executive what methodologies it has considered using in respect of non-domestic buildings in order to comply with Article 3 of the EU Energy Performance of Buildings Directive and what the estimated cost per survey would be of using each methodology.

I have asked Dr. PaulStollard, Chief Executive of the Scottish Building Standards Agency (SBSA), toanswer. His response is as follows:

The SBSA has to dateconsidered using the Simplified Building Energy Model for non-domesticbuildings, although it is likely that in the future some commercial detailedsimulation models will be available and suitable for use. No assessments havebeen undertaken regarding the cost of using the different methodologies ashourly and daily rates vary from company to company or from sole trader to soletrader. Independent research has, however, established the following datacollection times for existing buildings:

Three days for very largebuildings.

One day for average sizebuildings.

Question reference: S2W-24883

Asked by: Richard Baker, MSP for North East Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Thursday, 30 March 2006
Current Status: Answered by Johann Lamont on 26 April 2006

To ask the Scottish Executive whether the methodology that it will use to comply with Article 3 of the EU Energy Performance of Buildings Directive will require any input from unqualified or non-accredited individuals.

I have asked Dr. PaulStollard, Chief Executive of the Scottish Building Standards Agency (SBSA), toanswer. His response is as follows:

No. The Article 3methodologies adopted will not require any input from unqualified ornon-accredited individuals. However, any Article 3 methodologies that do haveinput from an unqualified or non-accredited individual, will be subject to thescrutiny of a verifier or local authority, acting as the accredited experts.

Question reference: S2W-23282

Asked by: Richard Baker, MSP for North East Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Friday, 17 February 2006
Current Status: Answered by Tavish Scott on 15 March 2006

To ask the Scottish Executive how it will ensure vehicle through traffic is channelled onto the Aberdeen Western Peripheral Route.

The Aberdeen WesternPeripheral Route will provide quicker more direct and more reliable journeys toand from points north, west and south of Aberdeen, and this will naturallyencourage through traffic to use it. Road signing will also ensure thattravellers are aware of destinations served by the road.

Transport Scotland hasthe operational responsibility for this area, and can be contacted for moreinformation if required.

Question reference: S2W-23281

Asked by: Richard Baker, MSP for North East Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Friday, 17 February 2006
Current Status: Answered by Tavish Scott on 15 March 2006

To ask the Scottish Executive what impact it expects the Aberdeen Western Peripheral Route to have on traffic levels on roads surrounding the roads corridor.

Traffic levels on roadssurrounding the Aberdeen Western Peripheral Route are generallyexpected to fall significantly as through traffic transfers to the new road. Trafficmodelling is still being refined and the impact at junctions will be assessedin discussion with Aberdeen City and Aberdeenshire Councils.

Transport Scotland hasthe operational responsibility for this area, and can be contacted for moreinformation if required.

Question reference: S2W-23284

Asked by: Richard Baker, MSP for North East Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Friday, 17 February 2006
Current Status: Answered by Tavish Scott on 15 March 2006

To ask the Scottish Executive whether the design brief for the bridges over the rivers Don and Dee as part of the Aberdeen Western Peripheral Route will include an option for a light user path to enable cyclists and walkers to benefit from the route.

We do not at the present timeenvisage such options being included as the Aberdeen Western Peripheral Routeis proposed as a Special Road on which cyclists and pedestrians will be prohibitedfor reasons of safety. Discussions are on-going with local authority partners onthe best way to integrate local paths and cycleways into the final design, however,and no final decisions have been taken.

Transport Scotland hasthe operational responsibility for this area, and can be contacted for more informationif required.

Question reference: S2W-23279

Asked by: Richard Baker, MSP for North East Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Friday, 17 February 2006
Current Status: Answered by Tavish Scott on 15 March 2006

To ask the Scottish Executive what action it will take to minimise the disruption to cyclists and walkers using the area around the Aberdeen Western Peripheral Route.

Question reference: S2W-23278

Asked by: Richard Baker, MSP for North East Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Friday, 17 February 2006
Current Status: Answered by Tavish Scott on 15 March 2006

To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to ensure that cyclists and walkers benefit from the Aberdeen Western Peripheral Route.

Question reference: S2W-23283

Asked by: Richard Baker, MSP for North East Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Friday, 17 February 2006
Current Status: Answered by Tavish Scott on 15 March 2006

To ask the Scottish Executive what action it is taking to ensure that sustainable transport users benefit from the Aberdeen Western Peripheral Route.

The Aberdeen Western Peripheral Route will connect existing and proposed park and ridesites around the city. Removal of through traffic and reduction of traffic oncity streets will allow the reallocation of road space to buses and cyclistsand make bus journeys particularly on radial routes much more reliable. Reductionof traffic will make walking safer and more pleasant. This will all benefitexisting users and encourage greater take up by others.

Transport Scotland hasthe operational responsibility for this area, and can be contacted for moreinformation if required.

Question reference: S2W-23280

Asked by: Richard Baker, MSP for North East Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Friday, 17 February 2006
Current Status: Answered by Tavish Scott on 15 March 2006

To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it is making to include cycling provision as part of the new roads corridor arising from the Aberdeen Western Peripheral Route.

Question reference: S2W-23179

Asked by: Richard Baker, MSP for North East Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Monday, 13 February 2006
Current Status: Answered by Tavish Scott on 10 March 2006

To ask the Scottish Executive what progress is being made on the Aberdeen Crossrail project.

In line with our PartnershipAgreement Commitment, we continue to support the development of feasibility workfor the Aberdeen Crossrail scheme. The proposal is being led by NESTRANS who areresponsible for ensuring delivery of the completed feasibility work by end 2006.

Transport Scotland Officialscontinue to work closely with NESTRANS and rail industry partners on maintainingproject progress and momentum.