Committee
Transport, Infrastructure and Climate Change Committee 15 March 2011
15 Mar 2011 · S3 · Transport, Infrastructure and Climate Change Committee
Item of business
Forth Crossing Project
David Climie
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It is important that we continue to update the committee on a quarterly basis in exactly the same way as we have been doing up to now. The precise key events that you refer to will depend on which of the bidders is successful, because each of them has its own programme for mobilising the project. One of our first activities will be to sit down with the winning bidder and establish in detail the mobilisation process and how it will work, and it will be important to give the incoming committee a view on that in the near future and explain to it exactly how mobilisation will take place and what the key activities will be.
In the same item of business
The Convener (Patrick Harvie)
Green
Good afternoon, everyone, and welcome to what is, believe it or not, the final meeting in 2011 and, indeed, this session of the Transport, Infrastructure and...
David Climie (Transport Scotland)
Yes, briefly. Thank you for your introduction, convener.We are here to give you an update on what has happened since our last presentation to you in Septembe...
The Convener
Green
Perhaps you could begin by giving us a detailed outline of the key events and progress since our most recent discussion in September last year, and updating ...
David Climie
On the legislative side, things have progressed exactly as we had planned. The stage 3 vote took place in December and the Forth Crossing Bill was passed. Ro...
The Convener
Green
You mentioned some concerns that had to be resolved in the development of the tenders. Can you give us some detail on that?
David Climie
It was about ensuring that the participants fully understood the employer’s requirements and addressed them clearly. That was one of the reasons why we wante...
The Convener
Green
You also said that the two bidders had agreed the terms and conditions of the contract.
David Climie
That is correct.
The Convener
Green
Presumably the terms and conditions are the same regardless of which bidder is successful.
David Climie
That is correct.
The Convener
Green
Will the information about the terms and conditions be made available for Parliament to scrutinise before we go into dissolution?
David Climie
The contract itself will not be, but the original concept that was approved by Parliament has not changed and we are moving forward on the same basis as was ...
The Convener
Green
One of the issues that has been controversial—it is the subject of a parliamentary motion at the moment—is the indication from the Government that it intends...
David Climie
I do not think that that is the intention. The information that we have received is that it is intended that an announcement of the intention to award the co...
The Convener
Green
There is a written question awaiting an answer by a week today. Is it correct that the detail of what an incoming Government would face will not be available...
David Climie
I am not quite sure how to answer your question. Nothing has changed significantly, therefore the announcement that will be made is that the intention is to ...
The Convener
Green
Can you tell us how much financial penalty a new Government would face if it decided not to proceed after the election?
David Climie
I cannot give a specific answer. The terms and conditions of the contract would allow a termination for convenience, which is effectively what would be happe...
The Convener
Green
So no information can be put in the public domain or provided to Parliament at the moment to inform a later decision.
David Climie
We would need to take advice on that. We would need to respond to you separately on that point.
The Convener
Green
That would be appreciated. Thank you.
Shirley-Anne Somerville (Lothians) (SNP)
SNP
Would the detail on that depend slightly on what the decision was? For example, would it vary according to how long the construction might be delayed and wha...
David Climie
You have summarised the situation rather better than I did. You are absolutely correct to say that, because the contract is so large, the possibilities for w...
The Convener
Green
Given that the committee exists for only one more week, it would be much appreciated if you urgently provided us with more written information about the rang...
David Climie
It is important that we continue to update the committee on a quarterly basis in exactly the same way as we have been doing up to now. The precise key events...
Cathy Peattie (Falkirk East) (Lab)
Lab
As you will be aware, the committee was very clear in its report on the Forth Crossing Bill about the importance of good public transport. What stage has the...
Stewart Turner (Transport Scotland)
It is probably better if I answer that question. We have always seen the public transport strategy—which, as you know, was published in January 2010—as a wor...
Cathy Peattie
Lab
You mentioned the various people who have been around the table, although I am surprised to hear that the local authorities have not been involved. I have to...
Stewart Turner
I do not think that the public transport strategy is poor. It contains a number of interventions, some of which are included in the contract, such as the Fif...
Lawrence Shackman (Transport Scotland)
Stewart Turner mentioned a meeting that was just with bus operators, but the other meetings that we have had on the public transport strategy have been very ...