Questions and answers

Question reference: S5W-18674

Asked by: Finlay Carson, MSP for Galloway and West Dumfries, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Monday, 10 September 2018
Current Status: Answered by Michael Matheson on 25 September 2018

To ask the Scottish Government what consultation was undertaken regarding the installation of a pedestrian crossing in Crocketford and with whom.

A meeting was held with residents of Crocketford and Springholm on 21 March 2017. Mr Humza Yousaf, Minister for Transport and the Islands attended the meeting alongside representatives from Transport Scotland and Police Scotland.

At this meeting the Crocketford residents requested that, along with additional speed reducing measures, a pedestrian crossing be provided. Transport Scotland subsequently commissioned Scotland TranServ (STS) to investigate if there was a demand for a crossing based on current assessment criteria. The investigation found that the most effective crossing facility for the A75 in Crocketford is an uncontrolled pedestrian crossing. Two uncontrolled crossings are programmed to be installed in Crocketford by the end of November 2018.

Question reference: S5O-02391

Asked by: Finlay Carson, MSP for Galloway and West Dumfries, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 19 September 2018
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 26 September 2018

To ask the Scottish Government what contact it has had with the Welsh Government since the recent Joint Ministerial Committee meeting.

Question reference: S5O-02383

Asked by: Finlay Carson, MSP for Galloway and West Dumfries, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 12 September 2018
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 20 September 2018

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on its commitment to fund the regeneration of the Stranraer Waterfront.

Question reference: S5O-02346

Asked by: Finlay Carson, MSP for Galloway and West Dumfries, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 05 September 2018
Current Status: Answered by Fergus Ewing on 12 September 2018

To ask the Scottish Government what it is doing to support the food and drinks industry.

We continue to work with farmers, food producers and industry bodies to drive forward the Ambition 2030 food and drink strategy. Our new Programme for Government sets out a range of new measures to support the sector, building on the range of work that is already ongoing.

Indeed, direct investment and support to the food and drink sector in Scotland from the public sector across a range of areas including skills, education, research, industry development, standards and capital investment equates to approximately £100 million per annum.

Question reference: S5T-01213

Asked by: Finlay Carson, MSP for Galloway and West Dumfries, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Monday, 10 September 2018
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 11 September 2018

To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it has had with Dumfries and Galloway Council regarding the closure of the new North West Community Campus in Dumfries.

Question reference: S5W-18191

Asked by: Finlay Carson, MSP for Galloway and West Dumfries, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Tuesday, 14 August 2018
Current Status: Answered by Michael Matheson on 5 September 2018

To ask the Scottish Government what plans the Cabinet Secretary for Transport, Infrastructure and Connectivity has to visit the major trunk routes in Dumfries and Galloway to review their condition.

The Scottish Government recognises the importance of the A75 and A77 in connecting the most south westerly communities of Dumfries and Galloway, including the ports at Cairnryan, with destinations in west and central Scotland. The condition of the trunk road network, which includes the A7, A75, A76, A77, A701 and A751 in Dumfries and Galloway, is inspected by Transport Scotland's Operating Companies on a weekly basis. A safe and efficient trunk road network for all road users is of paramount importance to the Scottish Government.

I travelled to Stranraer via the A77 for a meeting with members of Dual the A75 and A77 Action Groups and local MSPs on the 22 August.

Question reference: S5W-18192

Asked by: Finlay Carson, MSP for Galloway and West Dumfries, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Tuesday, 14 August 2018
Current Status: Answered by Michael Matheson on 5 September 2018

To ask the Scottish Government what plans it has to invest in an upgrade of the A75.

Since 2007 the Scottish Government has invested £75 million in road maintenance and approximately £50 million in six new schemes along the length of the A75 to improve overtaking and remove known pinch points. Transport investment has to be supported by robust evidence and that is why Scottish Government is undertaking the South West Scotland Transport study. This study is considering the rationale for improvements to road, rail, public transport and active travel on the key strategic corridors including the A75 and A77 as well as the railway corridors to Stranraer and Carlisle via Kilmarnock and Dumfries, with a particular focus on access to the ports at Cairnryan.

An Initial-Appraisal report will be produced which will include recommendations setting out possible transport interventions which will be considered through the second Strategic Transport Projects Review (STPR2).

Question reference: S5W-18195

Asked by: Finlay Carson, MSP for Galloway and West Dumfries, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Tuesday, 14 August 2018
Current Status: Answered by Michael Matheson on 5 September 2018

To ask the Scottish Government what support it is providing to transport connections at the ferry port of Cairnryan.

Transport Scotland is currently working collaboratively with local and regional authorities to undertake the South West Scotland Transport Study – Initial-Appraisal: Case for Change. This will consider the rationale for improvements across all modes in the area, with a particular focus on access to the ports at Cairnryan. The study will feed in to the process of gathering robust evidence to enable decisions on support for infrastructure improvements.

Question reference: S5W-18248

Asked by: Finlay Carson, MSP for Galloway and West Dumfries, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Friday, 17 August 2018
Current Status: Answered by Paul Wheelhouse on 5 September 2018

To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to protect community benefit funds when a wind farm is sold on.

The Scottish Government views the voluntary payment of community benefits from renewables developments as an opportunity for local communities to share in the benefits of their energy resource.

Our Good Practice Principles for Community Benefits from Onshore Renewable Energy Developments published in 2014, set out national standards on community benefits. This encourages the development of a legally binding contract between parties covering the lifetime of the project/asset.

The Scottish Government is currently reviewing its Good Practice Principles for Community Benefits (and shared ownership). This work is being taken forward with a view to ensuring that communities continue to benefit from large scale renewable energy developments.

Question reference: S5W-18194

Asked by: Finlay Carson, MSP for Galloway and West Dumfries, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Tuesday, 14 August 2018
Current Status: Answered by Michael Matheson on 5 September 2018

To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it has had with stakeholders regarding plans for a new town station in Stranraer.

Currently there are no plans for a new town station at Stranraer. Transport Scotland is working collaboratively with local and regional authorities to undertake the South West Scotland Transport Study - Initial-Appraisal: Case for Change. This will consider the rationale for improvements across all modes in the area, with a particular focus on access to the ports at Cairnryan. The study will feed in to the process of gathering robust evidence to enable decisions on support for infrastructure improvements including for potential new rail stations.

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