- Asked by: Stephen Kerr, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
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Date lodged: Friday, 28 October 2022
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Current Status:
Answered by Patrick Harvie on 9 November 2022
To ask the Scottish Government how many conversations it has had with local
authorities since May 2022 regarding the promotion of active travel.
Answer
Since May 2022, the Sustainable and Active Travel Team has held 104 strategic conversations with local authorities on the promotion of active travel. These were primarily in relation to their Cycling, Walking and Safer Routes active travel infrastructure grant funding, and engagement with the Transformation Programme, and were mostly scheduled in advance.
The team has also had a further 12 discussions on infrastructure, behaviour change and free bikes with CoSLA and the Society of Chief Officers of Transportation in Scotland (SCOTS). Other Transport Scotland teams including Rail, Bus Partnership Fund, and Canals have held additional project specific discussions, although we have been unable to quantify these.
- Asked by: Edward Mountain, MSP for Highlands and Islands, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
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Date lodged: Wednesday, 12 October 2022
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Current Status:
Answered by Jenny Gilruth on 9 November 2022
To ask the Scottish Government what the total amount is that has been spent so far on the A96 Corridor Review, and what the project’s total budget is.
Answer
I can confirm that the total spent to date on the A96 Corridor Review is £2,121,858.42.
- Asked by: Alexander Burnett, MSP for Aberdeenshire West, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
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Submitting member has a registered interest.
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Date lodged: Wednesday, 12 October 2022
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Current Status:
Answered by Tom Arthur on 9 November 2022
To ask the Scottish Government whether it plans to consider setting geographic limits on the concentration of wind farms.
Answer
There are no plans for setting geographic limits on the concentration of wind farms. The Revised Draft National Planning Framework 4 (NPF4) was laid in the Scottish Parliament on 8 November 2022 and is the product of extensive engagement and collaboration.
NPF4 will be a significant step forward towards achieving a net zero Scotland. The revised energy policy supports renewable energy projects in principle, setting out that the only areas where wind energy is not supported are in National Parks and National Scenic Areas. Each individual development proposal will be subject to an assessment of its impacts on a case by case basis. Criteria for assessing proposals are included in policy and the impacts on communities, nature and other receptors remain important considerations in the decision-making process.
- Asked by: Edward Mountain, MSP for Highlands and Islands, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
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Date lodged: Wednesday, 12 October 2022
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Current Status:
Answered by Jenny Gilruth on 9 November 2022
To ask the Scottish Government on what specific date it expects the A96 Corridor Review to publish its report.
Answer
Transport Scotland are conducting a transparent evidence – based review of the A96 corridor which will report by the end of this year.
- Asked by: Graham Simpson, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
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Date lodged: Wednesday, 26 October 2022
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Current Status:
Answered by Jenny Gilruth on 9 November 2022
To ask the Scottish Government what recent discussions the Minister for Transport has had with ScotRail officials regarding disabled access on their trains.
Answer
Rail accessibility and compliance with rail fleet accessibility requirements remain matters reserved to the UK Government.
I have however recently met with Disabled Persons Organisations, such as Disability Equality Scotland and Sight Scotland & Sight Scotland Veterans to gain an understanding of any issues being experienced by disabled rail users. Those issues will be taken forward during my monthly scheduled meetings with Scottish Rail Holdings and ScotRail Trains Ltd to consider and address.
- Asked by: Jeremy Balfour, MSP for Lothian, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
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Date lodged: Thursday, 13 October 2022
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Current Status:
Answered by Clare Haughey on 9 November 2022
To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on the implementation of the British Sign Language (Scotland) Act 2015 in deaf children’s education.
Answer
Under the British Sign Language (Scotland) Act 2015, the Scottish Government has a British Sign Language (BSL) National Plan in place for 2017 to 2023 with 70 actions across ten long-term ambitions. The Scottish Government published the BSL Progress Report on 27 October 2021, which provided an update on the implementation of the National Plan. It shows progress on a range of fronts, including education, BSL/English interpreting, and public life. The report outlines how Scottish Government has funded BSL Partnership organisations to engage with and support public bodies in developing their BSL plans and notes important developments such as the decision that Scotland’s 2022 census would ask 'can you use BSL?' for the first time.
We will develop a new BSL National Plan for 2023 to 2029, which is due for publication in October 2023, and will undertake engagement and consultation to inform priorities.
- Asked by: Jamie Greene, MSP for West Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
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Date lodged: Thursday, 20 October 2022
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Current Status:
Answered by Michael Matheson on 9 November 2022
To ask the Scottish Government when the Cabinet Secretary for Net Zero, Energy and Transport last met with the Hunterston B nuclear power station director, either in person or virtually.
Answer
Whilst I have not met with the Hunterston B nuclear power station director, either in person or virtually, since taking up the post of Cabinet Secretary for Net Zero, Energy and Transport in May 2021, I did meet with Matt Sykes, the Managing Director for EDF Generation in December 2021.
The discussion focussed on various issues pertaining to EDF Generation, EDF Renewables and their role in supporting Scotland on the road to Net Zero. This included the closure of Hunterston B, which ceased electricity generation in January 2022 with the plant currently being decommissioned.
- Asked by: Murdo Fraser, MSP for Mid Scotland and Fife, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
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Date lodged: Thursday, 20 October 2022
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Current Status:
Answered by Michael Matheson on 9 November 2022
To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to S6W-02086 by Graeme Dey on 31 August 2021, which stated that "Transport Scotland is...considering four possible route options for the A9 Dualling Pass of Birnam to Tay crossing section, all of which improve access to Dunkeld and Birnam station", whether there are any plans to update Birnam and Dunkeld railway station.
Answer
Following the A9 Dualling Co-Creative Process and other consultations Transport Scotland is currently progressing design and assessment work to identify a preferred route option for the Pass of Birnam to Tay Crossing section of the A9 Dualling. It is expected that a preferred route option will be announced in the coming months, with all four options currently under consideration improving access to Dunkeld and Birnam station. If the option selected impinges or interferes with the operation of the station then we will also look to improve accessibility for road and rail users.
As previously stated Rail accessibility is a reserved matter for the UK government and the criteria for selection for an accessibility scheme is set by the Department for Transport and assessed by them via the Access for All scheme:- Access for All: funding to improve accessibility at rail stations - GOV.UK ( www.gov.uk ). Currently, Dunkeld and Birnam station does not meet the UK government’s criteria for accessibility investment. At this moment in time, there are no plans to update the railway station.
- Asked by: Roz McCall, MSP for Mid Scotland and Fife, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
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Date lodged: Thursday, 20 October 2022
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Current Status:
Answered by Angus Robertson on 9 November 2022
To ask the Scottish Government how much the First Minister’s trip to the United States of America on 16-17 May 2022 cost.
Answer
Ministerial engagements, including overseas travel by Ministers, comprising destination and cost are routinely and proactively published. This includes the First Minister's trip to the United States of America and is available at Ministerial engagements, travel and gifts - gov.scot (www.gov.scot) .
- Asked by: Liam Kerr, MSP for North East Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
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Date lodged: Tuesday, 01 November 2022
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Current Status:
Answered by Richard Lochhead on 9 November 2022
To ask the Scottish Government whether it plans to publish the reported 926 responses received to the energy workers survey that was carried out in August 2022 as part of engagement regarding the Energy Strategy and Just Transition Plan, and, if so, within what timescale.
Answer
Analysis for the survey is ongoing and we intend to publish a report alongside the publishing of the Energy Strategy and Just Transition Plan.