- Asked by: Colin Smyth, MSP for South Scotland, Scottish Labour
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Date lodged: Friday, 21 May 2021
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Current Status:
Answered by Graeme Dey on 3 June 2021
To ask the Scottish Government what the timescale is for carrying out a feasibility study into the extension of the Borders Railway, as agreed within the Borderlands Inclusive Growth Deal, and what progress has been made on this to date.
Answer
Consideration of options for extending the Borders Railway continues to be undertaken through the second Strategic Transport Projects Review (STPR2). This is a national appraisal of strategic transport interventions and will conclude later this year.
As detailed in the Borderlands Inclusive Growth Deal, STPR2 will create the evidence base for future transport investment decisions by the Scottish Government. Depending on the outcome of STPR2, feasibility work would then progress on the basis of, and informed by, findings from this appraisal work.
- Asked by: Colin Smyth, MSP for South Scotland, Scottish Labour
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Date lodged: Wednesday, 10 March 2021
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Current Status:
Answered by Michael Russell on 18 March 2021
To ask the Scottish Government for what reason the waterfront in Stranraer was ruled out as its preferred location for a Border Control Post.
Answer
I refer the member to the answer to question S5W-35934 on 18 March 2021. 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
- Asked by: Colin Smyth, MSP for South Scotland, Scottish Labour
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Date lodged: Wednesday, 10 March 2021
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Current Status:
Answered by Michael Russell on 18 March 2021
To ask the Scottish Government where its preferred location in Cairnryan is for a Border Control Post.
Answer
The Scottish Government has not yet identified a preferred location for a Border Control Post to service the ports at Loch Ryan and Cairnryan. A number of sites have been identified, one of which is the old Ferry Terminal in Stranraer, which is the stated preference of Dumfries and Galloway Council. Careful consideration will be given to the suitability of each of these sites, taking into account the size of site required, its operational suitability, connectivity and environmental factors.
You will be aware that we have laid a Special Development Order in Parliament. This is not to bypass traditional planning routes or to avoid statutory engagement with the public. This is a contingency measure to ensure that the project can proceed at pace within its demanding timescales and save time in the planning process, especially if it were to be a major development. In the event that it necessary to rely on the SDO, it does include a 21-day consultation period, and the Scottish Government is committed to working with Dumfries and Galloway Council to enable any consent granted through SDO, and in particular any conditions attached, to be as consistent as possible with the Council’s usual approach.
- Asked by: Colin Smyth, MSP for South Scotland, Scottish Labour
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Date lodged: Wednesday, 10 March 2021
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Current Status:
Answered by Michael Russell on 18 March 2021
To ask the Scottish Government who it consulted with when determining its preferred location of Cairnryan for a Border Control Post.
Answer
I refer the member to the answer to question S5W-35934 on 18 March 2021 . 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
- Asked by: Colin Smyth, MSP for South Scotland, Scottish Labour
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Date lodged: Thursday, 25 February 2021
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Current Status:
Answered by Paul Wheelhouse on 16 March 2021
To ask the Scottish Government for how long it expects CalMac Ferries to operate the service to Arran from Troon Harbour during the construction phase of the Ardrossan Harbour upgrade project.
Answer
The Ardrossan-Brodick/Campbeltown ferry service is expected to operate from Troon Harbour for around 18 months while construction works are carried out at Ardrossan harbour.
The transfer of services will not take place until construction work begins which is expected in Summer 2022. However this date is subject to the tender and procurement stages. A more defined programme will be provided once a contractor is appointed.
- Asked by: Colin Smyth, MSP for South Scotland, Scottish Labour
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Date lodged: Thursday, 25 February 2021
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Current Status:
Answered by Paul Wheelhouse on 16 March 2021
To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on the impact that the (a) COVID-19 pandemic and (b) public contract with the Ferguson Marine for the Hull 801 has had on the delivery of the Ardrossan Harbour upgrade project.
Answer
The Ardrossan Harbour project is currently in the design and planning stage. There have been some delays due to the pandemic; such as project communications, with public information events being cancelled and project updates being issued using alternative media forums.
Berth infrastructure works are currently set to commence in Summer 2022 with completion of the works expected in 2024. These dates are however, subject to change taking account of tender and contract award stages. A more detailed programme will be available once a contractor is appointed.
Progress has continued on the new vessels within the constraints of the pandemic. The timing of this work has had no direct impact on the delivery of the Ardrossan project.
- Asked by: Colin Smyth, MSP for South Scotland, Scottish Labour
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Date lodged: Thursday, 04 March 2021
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Current Status:
Answered by Mairi Gougeon on 15 March 2021
To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S5W-35100 by Mairi Gougeon on 18 February 2021, in light of the delay of the reviews of the SIGN guidelines because of the COVID-19 pandemic, what consideration it has given to Healthcare Improvement Scotland providing temporary endorsement for NHS Scotland to follow the current NICE guidelines.
Answer
Where there is no SIGN guideline on a particular topic, the Scottish Government expect healthcare professionals to look for another high quality, evidence-based guideline (e.g NICE, RCP, RCEM). This was the expectation prior to the COVID-19 pandemic and continues to be the position throughout the pandemic.
- Asked by: Colin Smyth, MSP for South Scotland, Scottish Labour
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Date lodged: Thursday, 25 February 2021
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Current Status:
Answered by Paul Wheelhouse on 15 March 2021
To ask the Scottish Government when it will publish the most recent evaluation report on road equivalent tariff (RET), and which members of the working group produced the report.
Answer
I refer the member to the answer to question S5W-36024 on 15 March 2021. 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 '
- Asked by: Colin Smyth, MSP for South Scotland, Scottish Labour
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Date lodged: Tuesday, 02 March 2021
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Current Status:
Answered by Michael Matheson on 12 March 2021
To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of the impact that freeports might have on the (a) National Transport Strategy Delivery Plan to 2022 and (b) Strategic Transport Projects Review 2.
Answer
The appraisal process within the Strategic Transport Projects Review (STPR2), not the National Transport Strategy (NTS2) Delivery Plan, is the appropriate mechanism to consider the impact of potential changes to movement of people and goods at a national level. Access to major ports across Scotland is within the scope of STPR2, therefore my officials will continue to engage with the Greenports bidding process to ensure that the potential impacts of this, such as potential further development of additional facilities at successful location(s), are appropriately considered within STPR2.
- Asked by: Colin Smyth, MSP for South Scotland, Scottish Labour
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Date lodged: Monday, 01 March 2021
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Current Status:
Answered by Paul Wheelhouse on 12 March 2021
To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on the potential impact on Scotland of the UK Government's consultation on changes to the Electronic Communications Code.
Answer
All legislative and regulatory responsibility for telecommunications rests with the UK Government and Ofcom respectively, and as such, the current consultation relates to a reserved matter. However, the Scottish Government is supportive of the Electronic Communications Code which aims to reduce barriers to deployment of digital infrastructure and promote infrastructure sharing between operators. It is important that UK legislation and regulations supports the Scottish Government’s ambition to be a truly digital nation.
The Scottish Government is in dialogue with the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) on a number of issues relating to barrier removal and shares the view that the 2017 reforms to the Electronic Communications Code have had a more limited impact than originally envisaged. Scottish Government officials have engaged with stakeholders to understand any issues that have been experienced in utilising the Electronic Communications Code, and in particular, any Scottish-specific impacts that have emerged. If appropriate, our consultation response will reflect this and we will continue to engage with DCMS to try and ensure that Scottish interests are represented and reflected in any revised Electronic Communications Code.