Chamber and committees

All heavy goods and light commercial vehicles are used by our Marine and Agriculture and Rural Economy directorates to support their business needs. This includes transportation of supplies and equipment to our marine research and compliances vessels, conducting field research, legislative and compliance inspections, animal welfare inspections and the transportation of livestock.

Pool cars are allocated to specific areas who have a business need for their use which cannot be met by public transport or other sustainable methods of travel. This includes conducting legislative and compliance inspections, animal and horticulture inspections, delivery of equipment and the transportation of Ministers.

Transport Scotland conducts machine-based surveys using specialist vehicles each year to gather information on the surface integrity of the road; the friction characteristics of the surface; and the structural capacity (strength) of the underlying road construction. The data obtained provides an annual snapshot of the road condition across the network and is used to determine a Road Condition Index for each section of road. The Index values can then be used to identify where detailed engineering investigations should be focused in order to determine maintenance requirements.

The proportion of the A90 that has been assessed as requiring further preliminary investigation to determine whether structural maintenance is required is currently 18%. This compares with 17% across the whole of the trunk road network.

There are a total 4,552 road traffic signs on the A90 trunk road network. Of these, a total of 185 signs do not meet the current standards for visibility and effectiveness and are on a works programme for future replacement. Where regulatory signage and warning signage are noted as defective they are categorised as Category 1 defects. These are required to be made safe when identified, following which a temporary or permanent repair must be undertaken as soon as possible and no later than 24 hours following first identification. Where possible, Category 2 sign replacement is coordinated with other works on the network to mitigate disruption to road users.

There have been no official complaints logged regarding the overall condition of the A90 in the last five years. However, there has been a total of 171 individual complaints with resulting reports:

The patient travel expenses reimbursement schemes provide financial assistance for patients and authorised escorts travelling to hospital appointments, according to eligibility criteria and medical requirements.

The focus of the schemes is the provision of financial support to those on low incomes in receipt of certain benefits and residents of the Highlands and Islands, recognising the access challenges faced by these patient groups. However, Health Boards also have the discretion to reimburse patient travel expenses where it is viewed to be an extension of treatment costs and deemed to be clinically necessary. This allows flexibility within the schemes for Boards to provide support, where appropriate, to those who need it but would not otherwise qualify.

Where travel is necessary, Health Boards are expected to support patients and their families in identifying and accessing available support. NHS Boards provide advice on eligibility and assistance available with bookings and advance payments, where necessary.

The information requested is not held centrally by the Scottish Government the member may wish to contact NHS Boards directly for information locally.

The information requested is not held centrally by the Scottish Government.

The member may wish to contact the British Transport Police and ScotRail for this information.

This information is not held by the Scottish Government. The member may wish to contact Network Rail.

This information is not held by the Scottish Government and responsibility for such rests with the British Transport Police and Police Scotland respectively.