Chamber and committees

We are currently working across portfolios and with other partners, including VisitScotland and Forrest Enterprise Scotland, to maximise marine, coastal, tourism and health opportunities for delivering a long distance walking and cycling path, building on the success of the North Coast 500.

This project will be developed over the next year, with delivery starting as soon as possible. As planning is at an early stage, and local consultation with communities and other interested parties will be vital, it would be wrong to make assumptions on location and spend at this time.

Road safety is of paramount importance in the operation of the trunk road network. Safer road design, improved speed management, continued maintenance and a better provision for vulnerable road users are amongst the steps being taken to reduce the numbers of casualties. The safety performance of the trunk road network is assessed on an annual basis.

Following the annual assessment in 2016 Dalgarven was identified as an area for further investigation. Transport Scotland attended a meeting with Ruth Maguire MSP and a number of representatives of the community on 3 March 2017 where a commitment was given to examine any potential measures to improve safety and reduce the risk of accidents through the area.

This investigation has been progressed and possible measures to be discussed with the local community and elected members include:

• Vehicle Activated Signs – junction warning signs

• Improved visibility at junctions from clearing existing foliage

• Relocate the existing bus stop into a layby

• New footway provision adjacent to the carriageway

• Rationalisation of the existing signage

• Introduction of a gateway type feature to highlight Dalgarven

Conclusion of the investigation will confirm the recommended measures. This will also allow costs to be estimated and the works to be programmed.

We allocate funding to a range of initiatives to encourage electric car and van usage. Funding is provided to all 32 local authorities, distributed according to formulae approved by COSLA. Also all consumer and commercial incentives are available nationwide.

A more detailed update is available in ‘Switched On Scotland Phase Two: An Action Plan For Growth’ which is available at https://www.transport.gov.scot/publication/switched-on-scotland-phase-two-an-action-plan-for-growth/

Phasing out the need for new petrol and diesel cars and vans by 2032 is a vision for all of Scotland rural, island, urban for individuals and businesses to reap the benefits of this cleaner greener future.

In ChargePlace Scotland (CPS) we already have one of the most comprehensive EV networks in Europe with over 700 charge points, including over 175 rapid chargers. The ChargePlace Scotland website (www.chargeplacescotland.org) provides location and availability details of all these charge points. We do not hold a central record of non-CPS charge points.

The following table details both the original contracted non-fuel subsidy payment and the actual non-fuel subsidy payments from Contract Year 1 to Contract Year 6 of the Public Service Contract between the Scottish Ministers and Argyll Ferries Ltd.

There are a variety of reasons that contribute to differences between the initial contracted subsidy amount and the actual subsidy amount. One reason arising is that during the lifetime of the contract, maintenance and fuel costs have increased. Another reason being contract variations implemented, such as the charter of the MV Coruisk to improve winter reliability and the related replacement bus service. The details of these costs and their variances from original contracted subsidy are commercially sensitive to the operator.

The Gourock to Dunoon ferry service provides a vital transport link for foot passengers between Dunoon town centre harbour and the rail head at Gourock harbour. The public service obligation is set by the Scottish Ministers and the need for the service is defined by the impact it has on the wider economic and social sustainability of the community served. In its 2009 Decision on Scottish Ferry Services, the European Commission concluded that there is a sound economic and social justification for public support of a passenger service on this route.

Due to significant weather disruption during winter 2011-12 and particularly, winter 2012-13, the Scottish Ministers took the decision to deploy the MV Coruisk on the Gourock to Dunoon route in passenger mode only to improve the resilience of the service.

Argyll Ferries Ltd charter the MV Coruisk from the CalMac fleet at a time when she would otherwise be surplus to requirements. This reduces the net cost to Transport Scotland and provides more effective value for money.

Scotland have reported on the MV Coruisk’s deployment every winter period. Statistical information on her service and resilience operations on the route can be found on Transport Scotland’s website at the following link.

No significant issues have arisen. As a matter of course, Transport Scotland keep under review the requirement for training in respect of procurement issues, including the use of the new pre-qualifying European Single Procurement Document for future procurements.

I announced in September that £22.5 million will be invested in 5 projects from now until 2022, as part of the Community Links PLUS programme. There will be 2 projects delivered in Edinburgh and one each in Glasgow, Inverness and Stirling. In addition, the winner of the first round of Community Links PLUS, Glasgow City Council, will receive £3.25 million. This Scottish Government investment will attract 50% match funding from the local authorities involved. A third round of CL PLUS will be announced shortly, which will again allocate funding for segregation and public realm improvements to encourage walking and cycling.

As part of the dualling plans for trunk roads, non motorised user groups are looking at preferred routes and public consultation for these routes is currently underway.

Discussions are on-going with all stakeholders about how the £80 million record funding for active travel will be allocated and announcements will be made in due course as part of the Budget Bill process.

The Public Service Contracts for ferry services subsidised by the Scottish Government are published on the Transport Scotland website. https://www.transport.gov.scot/public-transport/ferries/ferry-services/#

The operators of these ferry services are required to deliver the scheduled services (routes and timetables) as agreed by Scottish Ministers. The contracts specify arrangements for publication of timetables and booking information for all routes. Winter timetables for all the contracts are published timeously to maximise the opportunity for ferry users to plan and book their travel.

The operators are also required to work closely with local tourist boards and participate in local tourism initiatives and permit other organisations to advertise relevant ferry services information.

These ferry service contracts recognise that the weather is not a factor within the control of the operator - where sailings are cancelled or delayed due to weather, it is termed a “Relief Event” and no performance deductions apply. All of these operators provide summary sailing statistics on their websites.