Questions and answers

Question reference: S2W-11172

Asked by: Fergus Ewing, MSP for Inverness East, Nairn and Lochaber, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Monday, 04 October 2004
Current Status: Answered by Nicol Stephen on 1 November 2004

To ask the Scottish Executive what the proposed funding and procurement arrangements are for completing the M74.

Question reference: S2W-11169

Asked by: Fergus Ewing, MSP for Inverness East, Nairn and Lochaber, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Monday, 04 October 2004
Current Status: Answered by Nicol Stephen on 1 November 2004

To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S2W-9859 by Nicol Stephen on 17 September 2004, whether the table showing major trunk road works under way will be developed further to include additional columns showing (a) indicative cost bands, illustrating the relative size of each project, (b) the status of consents and (c) if applicable, any public inquiries to indicate possible factors which might jeopardise the estimated start date.

he information with regard to costs is shown in the following table. These are estimated costs as at 1 September 2004, exclude VAT, and may be subject to change as schemes progress. The table, as published in response to S2W-9859, already shows the position with respect to draft and finalised roads orders, and indicates where public inquiries are known or expected. Again, this information is subject to change over time. Progress on schemes is subject to completion of the necessary statutory procedures, and the availability of finance.

Road	Scheme	Summary Description	Est. Cost (£M) @1/9/04	Estimated Start Date	Estimated Completion Date	Notes
A1	Thistly Cross to Bowerhouse.	Construction of new 0.8km dual carriageway	2.86	Under construction	Q1-2005-06	Final planned section of dualling of A1
A68	Soutra South to Oxton.	Improve Southbound overtaking & Oxton junction	4.30	Q1-2006-07	Q1-2007-08	Consultant appointed - In preparation
A68	Pathhead to Tynehead Junction.	Provide 1.9km of improved overtaking opportunities	7.76	Q1-2006-07	Q1-2007-08	Consultant appointed - In preparation
A7	Auchenrivock.	Improvement of 2.3km single carriageway to provide overtaking opportunities	4.70	Q4-2005-06	Q4-2006-07	Consultant appointed - In preparation
A7	Glenmayne to Yair.	Improvement of 1.7km single carriageway to provide overtaking opportunities	4.90	Q3-2005-06	Q3-2006-07	Consultant appointed - In preparation
A75	Cairntop to Barlae.	2.2km Overtaking scheme	4.60	Q4-2005-06	Q3-2006-07	Consultant appointed - In preparation
A75	Newton Stewart	To provide guaranteed westbound overtaking on existing incline.	1.84	Q2-2005-06	Q4-2005-06	Consultant appointed - In preparation
A75	Barfill to Bettyknowes.	Provision of overtaking opportunities over 1.2km section.	2.59	Q1-2005-06	Q1-2006-07	Consultant appointed - In preparation
A75	Planting End to Drumflower	Provision of 1.5km overtaking opportunities.	2.84	Q2-2005-06	Q4-2005-06	Consultant appointed - In preparation
A75	Dunragit Re‑alignment.	Rail bridge replacement and provision of 3km of overtaking opportunities.	10.30	Oct 2006	Dec 2007	Consultant appointed - In preparation
A75	Hardgrove to Kinmount.	Provision of 4km of safer overtaking opportunities	6.20	Nov 2006	Nov 2007	Consultant appointed - In preparation
A76	Gateside (2)	Study to identify a 2km section of A76 North Sanquhar for overtaking section.	n/a	Study under way
A76	Glenairlie.	Provision of a 2km climbing lane.	3.50	Q4-2005-06	Q4-2006-07	Consultant appointed - In preparation
A77	Maybole Bypass	Appraisal to identify solutions to transport problems on the A77 through Maybole.	n/a	Public consultation under way		Consultant appointed
A77	Park End to Bennane WS2	Provision of overtaking opportunity.	2.70	Q4-2005-06	tba	Consultant appointed - In preparation
A77	Haggstone Climbing Lane.	Provision of northbound climbing lane.	3.57	Q3-2005-06	tba	Consultant appointed - In preparation
A77	Glen App WS2+1.	Provision of overtaking opportunity.	2.62	Q1-2006-07	tba	Consultant appointed - In preparation
A77	Drummuckloch to Innermessan.	Provision of overtaking opportunity.	3.20	Q4-2005-06	tba	Consultant appointed - In preparation
A77	Ardwell to Slockenray WS2.	Provision of overtaking opportunity.	2.06	Q1-2006-07	tba	Consultant appointed - In preparation
A77	Symington and Bog End Toll	Junction improvements	n/a	tba	tba	Public exhibition of revised proposals held
A78	3 Towns Bypass (Ardrossan, Saltcoats & Stevenson).	5km of 2-lane dual carriageway road and 1.4km of single carriageway road with climbing lane. Roundabouts at each end to connect the bypass with existing trunk road, and two intermediate junctions with local roads.	30.30	Under construction	Dec 2004
A80	Auchenkilns Junction	Grade separated interchange on the A80.	22.80	Under construction	Sep 2005
A80	Allandale Park & Ride	Feasibility study report	0.45	In preparation	Nov 2004	Study only
A82	Route Action Plan Study.	Production of a strategy for improving operation and safety over this 154km route	0.35	Traffic surveys and consultation under way		Study report Q3 2005-06
A830	Arisaig to Loch Nan Uamh.	Upgrade of 7km of single track road on A830 strategic route	14.25	Q1-2005-06	tba	Draft Orders published
A876	Kincardine Eastern Link Road.	Construction 2km of new wide single carriageway Eastern Link road to remove traffic from Kincardine village.	9.80	5-2003	3-2005 (includes landscaping)	Road opened 5 July 2004 - 6 months ahead of schedule
A876	Kincardine Bridge.	Construction of 8.1 km access roads and new bridge upstream of existing crossing, plus refurbishment of existing bridge structure.	89.50	Q4-2005-06	Q2-2008-09	Draft orders published - public local inquiry Q3-2004-05
A9	Route Improvement Strategy.	Consider need to upgrade 35 km sections of A9 north of Perth.	0.35	Study in preparation
A9	Ballinluig Junction	Construction of a grade separated junction to improve road safety.	7.90	Q4-2005-06	Q2-2007-08	Consultant appointed - In preparation
A9	Helmsdale to Ord of Caithness - Phase 2	1.8km Road upgrading scheme to remove poor geometry and narrow widths of existing road	4.50	Q3-2005-06	tba	Road Orders made
A9	Crubenmore Extension.	1.9km Extension of existing short length of dual carriageway.	2.43	tba	tba	Consultant appointed - In preparation
A9	Kincraig to Dalraddy	Provision of guaranteed overtaking opportunities over 4km	1.94	tba	tba	Consultant appointed - In preparation
A90	Aberdeen Western Peripheral Route.	To provide a 29km bypass to Aberdeen	120.00	Oct 2007	Oct 2010	Scheme in preparation. Draft orders to be published 2005
A90	Glendoick.	4th Grade separated interchange on the A90 trunk road between Perth and Dundee to improve road safety	5.90	Q3-2005-06	Q3-2006-07	Consultant appointed - In preparation
A90	Kinfauns.	Last grade separated interchange on the A90 trunk road between Perth and Dundee	5.10	Q3-2005-06	Q3-2006-07	Consultant appointed - In preparation
A90	Balmeddie - Tipperty	Multimodal appraisal of the single carriageway section of the A90	0.10	Q1-2002-03	Q2-2004-05	Study report
A96	Threapland.	0.75km Junction improvement and re-alignment to improve visibility.	0.60	tba	tba	Early preparation
A96	Dalnies	Provision of 1.1km guaranteed overtaking opportunities (WS2+1).	0.51	tba	tba	Early preparation
A96	Coachford Climbing Lane.	2.4 km climbing lane to provide overtaking opportunities and improve safety and level of service on route.	6.70	Q3-2004-05	Q4-2005-06	Tenders received - under consideration
A96	Fochabers and Mosstodloch	Construction of 5km wide single carriageway to bypass the settlements of Fochabers and Mosstodloch. Side road connections are proposed at roundabouts for Mosstodloch/Baxters, Fochabers/Spey Bay, and the A98. A separate cyclepath/footpath would be provided linking Fochabers and Mosstodloch.	15.20	Q1-2006-07	tba	Public Local Inquiry held Sep 2003
A985	Route Action Plan.	Consider need for improvements to 19km route.	0.35	Study under way		Study report Q3 2005-06
M74	M74 Completion	Provision of strategic link between existing M74 and M8 to remove congestion on national network through Glasgow. Involves construction of 8.0km of 3 lane carriageway with hard shoulder and 4 key junctions.	393.0	Early 2006	Late 2008	Scheme in partnership with Glasgow City, South Lanarkshire and Renfrewshire Councils. Public Local Inquiry concluded March 2004 - report awaited.
M74/ A725	Raith Interchange	Junction improvement	n/a			Early preparation
M77	Malletsheugh to Fenwick.	Construction of 15.2km dual carriageway extension of motorway between Glasgow and Kilmarnock to improve road safety and remove congestion.	84.0	Under construction	Mar 2005
M8	Baillieston to Newhouse and associated improvements	Upgrade to motorway standard of overloaded section of the A8 and associated junctions	125.00	Q3-2007-08	Q1-2010-11	Early consultations held
M80	Stepps-Haggs (Phase 1) M73-Low Wood.	4km On-line upgrade	30.56	Q4-2006-07	Q2-2008-09	Orders published. Public Inquiry to be considered
M80	Stepps-Haggs (Phase 2) Auchenkilns to Haggs.	8km On-line upgrade from D2AP to D2M	42.00	Q2-2008-09	Q2-2010-11	To follow Phase 1
M80	Stepps-Haggs (Phase 3) Moodiesburn Bypass.	6km Off line new construction D2M	63.63	Q4-2006-07	Q2-2008-09	To follow Phase 1

Question reference: S2W-11171

Asked by: Fergus Ewing, MSP for Inverness East, Nairn and Lochaber, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Monday, 04 October 2004
Current Status: Answered by Nicol Stephen on 1 November 2004

To ask the Scottish Executive whether, in the light of the planned completion of the A78 three-town bypass in December 2004, the M77, Malletsheugh to Fenwick and the A876, Kincardine Eastern Link Road in March 2005, the A80 Auchenkilns Junction in September 2005 and the large proportion of early spending committed to land acquisition for the M74 Completion, it will bring forward other major trunk road projects or large management and maintenance projects to sustain Scottish road builders during a possible period of low activity.

Question reference: S2W-11023

Asked by: Fergus Ewing, MSP for Inverness East, Nairn and Lochaber, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 29 September 2004
Current Status: Answered by Tom McCabe on 1 November 2004

To ask the Scottish Executive whether the Minister for Finance and Public Services was referring to specific civil servants when he used the phrase “gifted amateur” (Official Report c 10409) and, if so, to which civil servants he was referring.

Question reference: S2W-10992

Asked by: Fergus Ewing, MSP for Inverness East, Nairn and Lochaber, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Tuesday, 28 September 2004
Current Status: Answered by Tom McCabe on 1 November 2004

To ask the Scottish Executive how it will ensure that money saved by local authorities from reducing the council tax discount on second homes will be spent on affordable housing.

Question reference: S2W-10983

Asked by: Fergus Ewing, MSP for Inverness East, Nairn and Lochaber, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Tuesday, 28 September 2004
Current Status: Answered by Malcolm Chisholm on 26 October 2004

To ask the Scottish Executive what its policy is in respect of making land owned by the state, including that owned by it, Her Majesty’s Government, the Crown Estate Commission, government departments and agencies, non-departmental public bodies and other public bodies, available for housing development.

In general, where public land is surplus to requirements, it can be sold on the open market in accordance with the public finance guidelines which would normally require it to be sold at market value. Local authorities can, however, seek consent to disposals at less than best consideration from Scottish ministers including disposals to provide land for affordable housing.

We see potential for greater use of surplus public land for affordable housing and are keen to encourage public bodies to release such land for this purpose. Under the Affordable Housing Review, the Executive has been examining the scope for preferential schemes for land release by public bodies. In handling sales of surplus land, the Forestry Commission Scotland now provides a preferential opportunity for Registered Social Landlords, supported by Communities Scotland, to acquire its surplus land for affordable housing. Over 20 sites are currently being assessed for transfer. We are exploring the prospect of applying these principles to other public bodies, including those in the Health, Education, Transport and Environment sectors, and UK Government Departments, such as the Ministry of Defence.

Question reference: S2W-10979

Asked by: Fergus Ewing, MSP for Inverness East, Nairn and Lochaber, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Tuesday, 28 September 2004
Current Status: Answered by Lewis Macdonald on 26 October 2004

To ask the Scottish Executive what area of land in Scotland is owned by the Forestry Commission.

Question reference: S2W-10986

Asked by: Fergus Ewing, MSP for Inverness East, Nairn and Lochaber, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Tuesday, 28 September 2004
Current Status: Answered by Malcolm Chisholm on 26 October 2004

To ask the Scottish Executive whether more use should have been made of publicly-owned land for the purpose of building more houses or enabling more houses to be built.

Question reference: S2W-10982

Asked by: Fergus Ewing, MSP for Inverness East, Nairn and Lochaber, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Tuesday, 28 September 2004
Current Status: Answered by Ross Finnie on 26 October 2004

To ask the Scottish Executive whether, within the relevant rules regarding sewerage for new homes, such sewerage may be provided by septic tanks; what relevant legislative provisions apply to the provision of sewerage for new homes by septic tank, and what its policy is on this matter.

I can confirm that sewerage for new homes can be provided by septic tanks provided the arrangement results in no deterioration in water quality, as specified in the Water Environment and Water Services Act 2003. Before granting planning permission for the building of the new houses, the planning authority will, if appropriate, seek the views of the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA), who are responsible for ensuring that relevant environmental standards are met. In relation to the relevant legislative provisions, the position is as follows:

The Water Environment and Water Services Act 2003 implements the European Water Framework Directive and places upon SEPA and Scottish ministers a duty to prevent further deterioration in the water environment.

Under the terms of the Control of Pollution Act 1974 (as amended) SEPA’s consent is required for a discharge of sewage effluent to controlled waters. Discharges to soakaway arrangements do not automatically require SEPA’s consent.

The Urban Waste Water Treatment (Scotland) Regulations 1994 require that urbanwastewater entering collecting systems is subject to prescribed standards of treatment. The specified date for provision of treatment and the standard of treatment are determined according to the size of the agglomeration and the sensitivity of the receiving waters.

Question reference: S2W-10984

Asked by: Fergus Ewing, MSP for Inverness East, Nairn and Lochaber, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Tuesday, 28 September 2004
Current Status: Answered by Malcolm Chisholm on 26 October 2004

To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will make representations to the Ministry of Defence about making land that it holds available for housing development.

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