- Asked by: Elaine Murray, MSP for Dumfries, Scottish Labour
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Date lodged: Thursday, 27 May 2004
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Current Status:
Answered by Nicol Stephen on 22 June 2004
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has received European funding towards the costs of improvements to sections of the A75 and, if so, what percentage of the total costs are covered by such funding.
Answer
The Scottish Executive received the residue of an award made to The Scottish Office in 1997 from the Trans European Network funds towards the construction costs of the A75 improvement at the Glen west of Dumfries. Construction costs are eligible for 10% funding.
- Asked by: Elaine Murray, MSP for Dumfries, Scottish Labour
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Date lodged: Monday, 24 May 2004
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Current Status:
Answered by Nicol Stephen on 21 June 2004
To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S2W-7282 by Mrs Mary Mulligan on 18 May 2004, what progress has been made on Dumfries and Galloway Council's application under section 75 of the Roads (Scotland) Act 1984 for construction of a public road over navigable waters in respect of the proposed footbridge over the River Nith and when a decision on the application will be made.
Answer
Dumfries and Galloway’s application under section 75 of the Roads (Scotland) Act1984 for construction of a public road over navigable waters in respect of the proposed footbridge over the River Nith is currently being considered.
Before reaching a decision on this matter, the Scottish ministers must be fully aware of all the facts surrounding the case. Further information is still required and significant objections remain. It has been decided that the case should be referred to a public local inquiry. Given this, it would not be appropriate to make any comment on the timing of a decision on the scheme.
- Asked by: Elaine Murray, MSP for Dumfries, Scottish Labour
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Date lodged: Friday, 04 June 2004
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Current Status:
Answered by Nicol Stephen on 21 June 2004
To ask the Scottish Executive what measures have been undertaken to improve and upgrade the A701 between Moffat and Dumfries since 1 July 1999 and what funding has been allocated to each of these measures.
Answer
Junction improvement works have been undertaken at the A701/B7020 Buckrigg south of Beattock. The works, which included visibility improvements and widening of the carriageway from 6.7m to 7.3m to provide a wide verge on the east side of the existing embankment, were completed in June 2001 at a cost of £404,000.
In addition, routine and structural maintenance has been carried out. Information on the nature and costs of such work is not available by route or part route.
- Asked by: Elaine Murray, MSP for Dumfries, Scottish Labour
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Date lodged: Friday, 04 June 2004
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Current Status:
Answered by Nicol Stephen on 21 June 2004
To ask the Scottish Executive what measures will be undertaken to improve and upgrade the A76 between Kirkconnel and Dumfries in each of the next five years and what funding has been, or will be, allocated to each of these measures.
Answer
Two major schemes are currently under consideration. Options to provide guaranteed overtaking at Glenairlie on the A76 are being examined. A preferred scheme has still to be identified and it is too early in the preparation process to be definite on funding and programme timing. The likely cost of the scheme is in the region of £3.5 million at current prices.
We have also examined a scheme between Gateside and Knockenjig. This failed to achieve value for money and attempts to develop the scheme to add value ran into difficulties over farm access arrangements. It became clear that a scheme which would be acceptable to both the Scottish Executive and landowners, and which would provide value for money, could not be achieved. A possible replacement scheme to provide overtaking opportunities between Gateside and Sanquhar is currently being investigated. Costs and programme timing have not yet been identified.
In addition, routine and structural maintenance will be carried out. Information on the nature and costs of such work is not available by route or part route.
- Asked by: Elaine Murray, MSP for Dumfries, Scottish Labour
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Date lodged: Friday, 04 June 2004
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Current Status:
Answered by Nicol Stephen on 21 June 2004
To ask the Scottish Executive what measures will be undertaken to improve and upgrade the A7 between Langholm and the border between Scotland and England in each of the next five years and what funding has been, or will be, allocated to each of these measures.
Answer
A scheme to realign approximately 3km of the A7 at Auchenrivock is in the early stages of preparation. It is too early to give commitments on funding and programme timing but, assuming that the scheme demonstrates value for money, it is likely to cost some £4 million at current prices.
In addition, routine and structural maintenance will be carried out. Information on the nature and costs of such work is not available by route or part route.
- Asked by: Elaine Murray, MSP for Dumfries, Scottish Labour
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Date lodged: Friday, 04 June 2004
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Current Status:
Answered by Nicol Stephen on 21 June 2004
To ask the Scottish Executive what measures will be undertaken to improve and upgrade the A701 between Moffat and Dumfries in each of the next five years and what funding has been, or will be, allocated to each of these measures.
Answer
There are no current plans to undertake major schemes on this. Routine and structural maintenance will be carried out. Information on the nature and costs of such work is not available by route or part route.
- Asked by: Elaine Murray, MSP for Dumfries, Scottish Labour
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Date lodged: Friday, 04 June 2004
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Current Status:
Answered by Nicol Stephen on 21 June 2004
To ask the Scottish Executive what measures have been undertaken to improve and upgrade the A7 between Langholm and the border between Scotland and England since 1 July 1999 and what funding was allocated to each of these projects.
Answer
No major schemes have been undertaken since July 1999. Routine and structural maintenance has been carried out. Information on the nature and costs of such work is not available by route or part route.
- Asked by: Elaine Murray, MSP for Dumfries, Scottish Labour
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Date lodged: Tuesday, 25 May 2004
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Current Status:
Answered by Nicol Stephen on 21 June 2004
To ask the Scottish Executive what stretches of the River Nith are defined as “navigable waters”
Answer
Harbour authorities derive their basic statutory powers and duties from local legislation. The relevant legislation in this case is the Nith Navigation Order Confirmation Act 1929. Duties related to navigation are specified in that legislation, as is the jurisdiction for which the harbour authority is responsible. While the act confers a range of powers and duties in connection with the maintenance and improvement of navigation on the River Nith, it does not provide a statutory definition of what stretches of the River Nith are navigable waters.
- Asked by: Elaine Murray, MSP for Dumfries, Scottish Labour
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Date lodged: Friday, 04 June 2004
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Current Status:
Answered by Nicol Stephen on 21 June 2004
To ask the Scottish Executive what measures have been undertaken to improve and upgrade the A76 between Kirkconnel and Dumfries since 1 July 1999 and what funding was allocated to each of these projects.
Answer
No major schemes have been undertaken since July 1999. Routine and structural maintenance has been carried out. Information on the nature and costs of such work is not available by route or part route.
- Asked by: Elaine Murray, MSP for Dumfries, Scottish Labour
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Date lodged: Friday, 04 June 2004
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Current Status:
Answered by Mary Mulligan on 17 June 2004
To ask the Scottish Executive what powers are available under the (a) Building (Scotland) Act 1959, (b) Civic Government (Scotland) Act 1982, (c) Town and Country Planning (Scotland) Act 1997 and (d) Local Government in Scotland Act 2003 to address environmental problems caused by unoccupied derelict or abandoned buildings.
Answer
Section 13 of the Building (Scotland) Act 1959 allows local authorities to take action requiring the repair, securing or demolition of buildings found to be dangerous.
Local authorities have powers under Section 87 of the Civic Government (Scotland) Act 1982 to require the rectification of defects in buildings which they consider to be in need of repair.
Section 179 of the Town and Country Planning (Scotland) Act 1997 gives planning authorities powers to require that specified steps be taken to deal with the injury to amenity caused by the ruinous or dilapidated condition of any building in their district or caused by the derelict, waste or neglected condition of any land in their district.
The Local Government in Scotland Act 2003 gives local authorities the power to advance the well-being of their area or the people in it. This is a broad enabling measure allowing local authorities the freedom to work in a more innovative and creative way in responding to the need of their communities. Well-being is dependent on many factors but may include environmental factors.
