Chamber and committees

Depending on the procurement route taken, the current intended target date for this procurement is autumn/winter 2026-27. The timescales for completing the Corridor Action Plans will be confirmed following procurement and appointment of consultants. Further details are available at: South West Scotland Strategic Corridor Improvements | Transport Scotland

The development of the Corridor Action Plans marks an important step in identifying and prioritising specific future investment projects for both routes. The plans will ensure that this is targeted to sections of both corridors where the need is greatest and that they are phased in an affordable and meaningful way. Decisions on investment need to be based on robust evidence and stakeholder support.

LGBT Health and Wellbeing is a national charity. The Scottish Government does not hold information on funding received by charities from bodies other than the Scottish Government. Details of charities funding arrangements may be obtained from the organisation directly or through their published accounts.

NHS Boards and Local Authorities are responsible for their own operational decision-making, including how they engage with and respond to the needs of the communities they serve.

As part of the new CHFS3 contract, CalMac is introducing an increased programme of regular maintenance across the network. This is intended to improve reliability and resilience by reducing the likelihood of breakdowns, which can cause significant disruption to island connectivity.

CalMac has been working with the Raasay community, as with communities across the network, to introduce such maintenance in a way that minimises disruption.

Engagement with stakeholders during development of the Corridor Action Plans will be an important part of the process. It is anticipated that a wide range of engagement techniques and formats will be used to ensure that all individuals and organisations are able to participate in the process. Further details are available at: South West Scotland Strategic Corridor Improvements | Transport Scotland

The Scottish Government remains committed to our longstanding intention to ban the sale of peat for horticulture, as set out in our 2026 Climate Change Plan.

Following discussion during passage of the Natural Environment Act 2026, and to overcome the challenges posed by the UK Internal Market Act, Scottish Ministers called on UK Ministers to support a collaborative cross-UK approach. We are now engaged in preparatory work with the other UK nations towards joint legislation to establish an effective ban.

As part of the new CHFS3 contract, CalMac is introducing an increased programme of regular maintenance across the network. This is intended to improve reliability and resilience by reducing the likelihood of breakdowns, which can cause significant disruption to island connectivity.

CalMac has been working with the Raasay community, as with communities across the network, to introduce such maintenance in a way that minimises disruption.

Protecting, managing and restoring degraded peatlands is a vital part of mitigating and adapting to the linked climate and nature emergencies.

Improving the condition of degraded peatlands contributes to mitigation by reducing atmospheric greenhouse gases, and to adaptation by increasing ecosystem resilience and reducing flood risk and the severity of wildfires.

Our Climate Change Plan and carbon budgets incorporate the modelled emissions reductions associated with the measures we set out in the Plan to protect, manage and restore Scotland’s peatlands.

CalMac and NorthLink are currently able to operate within their existing budget allocation, which includes fuel. Transport Scotland has financial oversight and monitors these budgets.

Local Authority ferry services are funded via the Block Grant but at this time there has been no additional funding for fuel. The Scottish Government will continue to engage constructively with COSLA, individual local authorities and the UK Government.

Transport Scotland continues to invest in the A75 and A77 through ongoing maintenance and improvement works. A substantial programme of resurfacing, drainage, signage, landscaping, geotechnical and active travel improvements will continue to be delivered across both routes during 2026-27.

For example, road safety improvement works on the A75 Glasgow Road / Cuckoo Bridge Roundabout, including roundabout signalisation, footway upgrades, crossing installation, and carriageway widening in an effort to reduce collisions is due to begin in November 2026.