Chamber and committees

The lateness of ScotRail services is measured using the industry standard of the Public-Performance-Measure (PPM). In the year to mid-August 2017 (period 5), 87.7 percent of trains arrived at Aberdeen within the 5 minutes allowed under the PPM measure. More information on ScotRail’s performance can be found at this weblink:

https://www.scotrail.co.uk/performance-and-reliability

A Performance Improvement Plan (PIP) was released in November 2016. The PIP itself now contains 443 plans, of which 267 have been completed. These plans cover actions across fleet, operations and infrastructure. When the Plan was implemented, ScotRail’s overall performance (moving annual average) was recorded at 89.6%; it has now improved by 1.6%, and currently sits at 91.2% (12 months ended 16^th September 2017). This demonstrates clear evidence the Performance Improvement Plan is working and its contribution to lifting performance should be acknowledged.

The number of trains that have arrived late to their final destination on the Edinburgh-Aberdeen route since 1 April 2016, has been reported as the answer to the question S5W-10939 on 19 September 2017. However, the Scottish Government does not hold information on the number of these services which ran late as a result of a delay at Usan as stated in the answer to question S5W-10940 on 12 September 2017.

All answers to written Parliamentary Questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at:http://www.parliament.scot/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx

In January 2016 the Scottish Government announced £24 million for the design and construction of a new grade-separated junction at Laurencekirk as part of a package of additional capital investment alongside the Aberdeen City Region Deal. This additional investment will be used to design, promote and deliver the Laurencekirk Junction Improvement scheme.

The development of the project in 2017-18 forms part of the Motorways and Trunk Roads Capital Land and Works budget of £425.6 million presented within the Scottish Budget 2017-18.

I refer the member to the answer to question S5W-10975 on 19 September 2017. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at: www.parliament.scot/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.

I refer the member to the answer to question S5W-10975 on 19 September 2017. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at: www.parliament.scot/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.

I refer the member to the answer to question S5W-10975 on 19 September 2017. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at: www.parliament.scot/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.

I refer the member to the answer to question S5W-10975 on 19 September 2017. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at: www.parliament.scot/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.

Rating valuation of shootings and deer forests is undertaken by independent assessors appointed by local government, in line with the Land Reform (Scotland) Act 2016.

The issuing of return of information forms and any other engagement in respect of rating valuation is for the local assessors, as is the valuation methodology. Valuation notices will be issued by assessors shortly, and an appeal can be made each against each valuation within six months. Any enquiry or appeal regarding the valuation should be made to the local assessor in question.

Separately non-domestic rates bills will be issued by local authorities. Many shootings will be eligible for rates relief up to 100 per cent under the Small Business Bonus Scheme. Any enquiry regarding the rates bill should be made to the local authority in question. The Scottish Government will continue to work with the sector to support implementation.

The £2m average speed camera system on the 51.5 mile stretch of the A90 between Dundee and Stonehaven is being introduced to make the road safer for everyone travelling along the route.

More than three in every five vehicles speed on the route, with more than one in five exceeding the speed limit by over 10mph.

This system, funded from a combination of existing Transport Scotland budgets and grant funding associated with the Scottish Safety Camera Programme, will encourage better speed limit compliance. This is expected to result in less people being killed or seriously injured, fewer camera detections and ultimately fewer fines for drivers while at the same time improving journey time reliability by reducing the frequency and impact of road incidents.

Further information regarding average speed cameras on the A90 is available at: http://a90road.info/

No.