Chamber and committees

Transport Scotland would be more than welcome in Dundee, if you are looking at other locations, cabinet secretary. [Laughter.]

Thank you.

Yes—apologies.

Cabinet secretary, you said that the A9 is a key priority, but clearly meeting climate change targets is also a key priority. My assessment is that Scotland is under severe pressure in meeting the 2030 net zero target and that the transport sector will be a key priority in terms of emissions reductions. Is there any conflict between project completion and meeting our climate targets, particularly in the context of the 2030 target?

You mentioned economic regeneration. We have rightly focused on the actual road, but I wonder whether the relevant road infrastructure will be fit for purpose. You mentioned electric charging points. There is the issue of whether service stations might link to third sector and local community groups rather than multinationals. Can you explain the wider vision for the road?

Once we have received the response, it might be worth while hearing from the minister on this. After all, the proposed code of practice is voluntary, which, clearly, means that it will not be mandatory for factors. Again, we have not seen the publication, but it might be worth hearing from the minister and perhaps other stakeholders on this point.

Okay.

Do you consider the road order processes used to authorise major road projects to be fit for purpose?

Okay.

I have a brief follow-up on that. I would like the A9 to showcase Scotland, Perthshire and the Highlands. For me, that would mean not going into a service station that could be located anywhere in Scotland; indeed, anywhere in the world. There are fantastic examples of communities getting involved in community cafes by the roadside in a service station environment. Is there any way that you can make that happen if you share that vision?

Witnesses have mentioned guidelines not being adhered to. I am particularly interested in the local authority perspective. Do you think that that is a result of resource constraints or culture—or both? Do you have an assessment of how local authorities across Scotland are adhering to guidance? Are there examples of best practice or worst practice? Is it a similar picture across the country? Do you have that information?

Thanks for that. Finally, could the size and turnover of relevant public boards hamper island representation? Are there opportunities arising or is it the case that even when they do come up, islanders are overlooked for those positions?