Chamber and committees

RNIB shared their code of conduct with Transport Scotland in May, it has since been shared with Sustrans Scotland (which delivers the Spaces for People initiative on behalf of Transport Scotland) and the Mobility and Access Committee for Scotland (MACS).

In response to the Spaces for People initiative, MACS has written a briefing paper: Temporary Street Measures during the Coronavirus Crisis, to help ensure the mobility needs of disabled people, including those who are blind or partially-sighted, are fully considered. Furthermore, as part of the Spaces for People support package, if required by local authorities, Sustrans will facilitate specialist advice, such as from MACs on accessibility considerations and issues.

Sustrans are offering support to local authorities on a range of areas such as design, engagement, equality impact assessment, monitoring and evaluation.

Transport Scotland continue to work with MACS to ensure that the views of all disabled people are taken into consideration when developing any new initiative.

On 21 May 2020, the First Minister published the COVID-19 – Framework for Decision Making setting out Scotland’s route map through and out of the crisis, ‘the Route Map’. This was supported by the Transport Transition Plan published 26 May 2020. The Transport Transition Plan is available on www.transport.gov.scot and contains guidance for all transport operators on these important matters.

The Scottish Government is acutely aware that supporting island communities to move out of lockdown is a complex issue. We are working closely with ferry operators to address the capacity and logistical issues that arise from the need to maintain physical distancing measures for the protection of public health.

The First Minister confirmed on 18 June 2020 that Scotland is moving carefully to Phase 2 of the Route Map and we will continue to engage with key stakeholders as we consider the options for ferry services through the phases of the Route Map.

The Scottish Government advice remains that everyone should ensure physical distancing of 2 metres when in contact with others from outside your household. This assessment is based on expert scientific advice provided by the independent Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies (SAGE) that the risk of transmission decreases with distance. Since the start of this crisis, we have consistently said that we will follow the science and we continue to do so. As the evidence changes then so must our policies which is why we have kept the 2 metre rule under review. The First Minister has asked the COVID-19 Advisory Group to consider whether there are particular settings and circumstances in which, with additional mitigations if necessary, it might be possible in future to recommend a distance of 1 metre or 1.5 metre. It is anticipated that a recommendation on this advice can be made by 2 July.

In some circumstances it may prove more challenging to maintain 2 metres physical distancing from other people, particularly in indoor settings such as on public transport. That is why on 22 June it was made mandatory in Scotland to wear a face covering on public transport, including on buses, ferries, trains and other transport networks such as Edinburgh Trams and the Glasgow Subway. Although wearing a face covering helps reduce the risk of transmission it is not a substitute for physical distancing.

The Scottish Government recently published its Transport Transition Plan and detailed guidance, which contains advice on PPE and face coverings for transport operators, their staff and the public.

During the COVID-19 period the Scottish Government is providing significant additional funding to transport operators through a variety of mechanisms to help defray financial pressures of additional costs and reduced revenues.

The unprecedented impact of the COVID-19 emergency has resulted in necessary changes to priorities across the Scottish Government. Whilst the commitment to introduce Low Emission Zones into Scotland’s four biggest cities by the end of 2020 has been paused, we remain committed to tackling air pollution in the quickest time possible, to improve air quality and protect public health. We are dedicated to introducing Low Emission Zones and regular reviews are taking place to determine the earliest date when such zones could realistically be introduced using the powers of the Transport (Scotland) Act.

This pause provides an opportunity to review how Low Emission Zones can be designed in a way that facilitates a green recovery transformation in tandem with COVID-19 recovery plans.

Transport Scotland apply the contract through effective monitoring and use the appropriate provisions to require Abellio ScotRail to address any payment performance issues accordingly. The contract specifies that Abellio ScotRail should process 'valid invoices' within a 30 day period. It is incumbent upon Abellio ScotRail, as part of this franchise requirement, to ensure that invoices are supported by appropriate evidence to permit timely payment.

In line with prevailing Scottish Government guidance Abellio ScotRail has adopted a phased recovery approach to returning rail passenger services to pre COVID-19 levels.

Plans are being developed for a further increase in rail passenger services to be facilitated in August 2020 prior to the schools in Scotland returning.

We are working with Scotland’s airports to re-establish connectivity to support business and the inbound tourism market, focusing first on the most important routes serving key markets. The rate at which routes can be re-established depends on travel restrictions at home and abroad, and the extent to which airlines have reduced fleets as a result of the crisis.

The Scottish Government has always recognised the importance of Scotland’s connectivity and we have been proactive in our air route development work in the past. That work will continue to help Scotland’s airports restore connectivity, albeit in a very challenging environment.

There will be no changes to planning guidelines as these types of measures are classed as permitted developments under planning rules.

Local authorities already have the ability to put in place Temporary Traffic Regulation Orders (TTROs) which allows them to install temporary measures to allow for physical distancing, cycling and bus lanes if they deem these to be necessary.

The Scottish Government issued guidance on this matter to all 32 local authorities on the 28 April 2020. This guidance can be found at: https://www.transport.gov.scot/publication/coronavirus-covid-19-guidance
-on-temporary-traffic-regulation-orders-and-notices/ .

Local authorities also have the ability to introduce such measures on a permanent basis via Traffic Regulation Orders (TRO). We are currently undertaking a review of the TRO process and looking at areas of concern which have previously been highlighted by stakeholders.

The Scottish Government originally planned to publish the Infrastructure Investment Plan in June 2020 but publication was delayed in order to focus on the immediate health crisis presented by COVID-19.

Investment in infrastructure offers the greatest opportunity to boost inclusive economic growth and has a key role to play in our wider economic response to the pandemic. In recognition of this, Scottish Ministers’ recent Return to Work programme announced £230m of fresh infrastructure projects to re-allocate in-year underspends arising from Covid to new economic activity.

It is important that the focus of the Infrastructure Investment Plan aligns with supporting Scotland’s medium to longer-term social and economic recovery from the Covid pandemic. The timetable for publication is not yet fixed. However I anticipate publication in the Autumn, building on the work of the Infrastructure Commission for Scotland.