Chamber and committees

Network Rail is on track to meet our innovative growth target for rail freight. Despite the health pandemic, rail freight demand has held up well and 216 new freight trains ran on the network in Scotland in the past 12 months. Supported by Scottish Government and third party investment more new freight services in Scotland are planned in the next 18 months, in addition to new cross border express logistics services. Modal shift to rail will play a key part in decarbonising the overall transport network to meet our ambitious climate change targets.

Since becoming Minister for Transport, I have prioritised issues on our ferry networks. I have met with senior CalMac representatives to provide support and with local MSPs (25 May) to hear their concerns. I have agreed to continue with regular dialogue given the importance of the issue.

Following these discussions and in light of the recent issues with the MV Loch Seaforth, funding has now been agreed which will allow officials to work with CalMac Ferries Ltd to implement the process of chartering the MV Pentalina. Berthing trials are happening this week to assess the suitability of the vessel across the network.

In relation to the issue with the MV Hebridean Isles, I understand all goods were shipped early Saturday morning and the remainder later that afternoon (29 May 2021) on the MV Isle of Lewis.

(a) Scottish Government normally meets railway trade union representatives as part of the routine STUC meeting cycles to discuss any issues at hand. However due to Covid these meetings have not taken place in the normal manner. Arrangements for a meeting with railway trade union representatives are now being made.

(b) Individual matters in relation of the Dignity and Respect policy are for Abellio ScotRail and the employee(s) concerned.

Collective bargaining agreements are a matter for the relevant employer and employees. The employer in each case would depend on the type of charter entered into. If a vessel is chartered on a ‘bare boat’ basis and crewed by CalMac staff then existing contract arrangement regarding collective bargaining arrangements would apply. If a time charter on a temporary basis is progressed, for example the MV Pentalina, then the employer of the crew would not be CalMac and different arrangements would apply.

The cause of the breakdown remains subject to ongoing investigation. It would be inappropriate to comment further until that investigation is complete.

There is no specific allocation within consequentials arising from support for large self-catering though we have ensured that they have received financial support via the Strategic Framework Business Fund, and Business Restart Grants as well as a tailored package of support to help mitigate against the impact of the single household restrictions via the large self-catering and exclusive use support funds. This is in addition to the 100% Business Rates Relief that we have provided for all businesses in the Hospitality, Retail and Leisure Sectors for both the 20/21 and 21/22 Financial Years. We also ensured businesses not on the NDR roll were eligible for equivalent Strategic Framework Business Fund support via the small accommodation providers council tax fund (SAP-CT).

Physical distancing has been an important element in controlling the spread of COVID which is key to keeping our economy open and moving forward to recovery from the impacts of the virus.

Much work has been undertaken by operators in order to safely maximise capacity on ferries. The exemption from 10 July 2020 to allow 1 metre distancing on ferries, with appropriate risk mitigations, significantly increased passenger capacity, and continues to ensure that ferry services can support the reopening of the tourism sector that is so essential for the sustainability of island and rural economies, as well as enabling islanders to travel to the mainland.

The Scottish Government is reviewing physical distancing including its impact on transport, and an announcement of the outcome of this review is due shortly. Sectoral guidance will be updated to reflect the outcome of the review. Physical distancing has been an important tool for controlling the virus but, as with all restrictions, we will only have this in place as long as is necessary.

We are committed to improving safety on our trunk roads including the A77. We have invested over £88.7 million on the A77 since 2007 to ensure its safe and efficient operation. In addition, we have spent approximately £35 million on four separate road schemes on the A77 and are currently constructing the Maybole Bypass at a cost of £29 million.

We carry out an annual road safety review on the entire trunk road network including the A77. From this review a number of schemes were completed in the last year including the installation of safety measures at the A77 / A751 junction north of Cairnryan, upgraded road markings on the approach to Dutchhouse Roundabout and a scheme is programed for construction shortly to upgrade the street lighting columns at the Holmston Roundabout with passively safe columns.

Other schemes currently under design include the signalisation of the Doonholm Road junction at Ayr, further safe systems measures including upgraded traffic signs, safety barriers and footway improvements at the A751 junction and measures to manage speed of traffic through Girvan.

Additional average speed cameras were installed and became operational on 29 April 2021 on the A77 Ayr Bypass between Whitletts Roundabout and Bankfield Roundabout.

As part of a package of measures to encourage active travel, removing barriers to accessibility and improve pedestrian and cycle safety we are also investigating upgrades to the existing footway from Bogend Toll to Dutchhouse Roundabout, increasing the width of the shared use path from Holmston to Whittlets Roundabout and a pedestrian crossing assessment is currently ongoing in Kirkoswald.

The Scottish Government's Infrastructure Investment Plan published 4 February 2021 stated that:

"We will produce and maintain a long-term plan and investment programme for new ferries and development at ports to improve resilience, reliability, capacity, and accessibility, increase standardisation, and reduce emissions to meet the needs of island communities, supported by investment of at least £580 million during the next five years as well as completing two new ferries for the Isle of Arran and the Uig Triangle"

A National Mission with Local Impact - draft infrastructure investment plan 2021-2022 to 2025-2026: consultation - gov.scot (www.gov.scot)

We will produce this long-term plan as part of the Islands Connectivity Plan that will replace the Ferries Plan from January 2023. In the meantime, our investment programme continues to be based on the Vessel Replacement and Deployment Plan; additional detail of the current programme is included in Annex D of the Infrastructure Investment Plan and updates have recently been shared with key island stakeholders.

vrdp-annual-report-2016-30-january-2018.pdf (transport.gov.scot)

This is an operational matter for ScotRail in negotiation with its staff through established collective bargaining arrangements.

I understand that established rest day working agreements remain in place for all ScotRail operational staff. The exceptional supplementary arrangements for Ticket Examiners and Conductors came to an end following successful recruitment, training and deployment of some 140 additional staff.

Similarly, 160 new drivers have been recruited, but Covid safety restrictions governing training in driving cabs have prevented their full training and deployment and therefore the exceptional supplementary arrangements remain in place until their training and deployment can be completed.