Chamber
Meeting of the Parliament 18 November 2021
18 Nov 2021 · S6 · Meeting of the Parliament
Item of business
Road Safety (Falkirk)
Thank you, Presiding Officer.
Decisions on such matters are best taken at local authority level, based on local knowledge and community feedback.
I note that last year there was a 35 per cent decline in the number of road casualties across Scotland because of restrictions on travel. That significant reduction is, of course, extremely welcome.
Michelle Thomson asked for evidence. I will give her evidence. There were still almost 5,000 casualties, including 490 children. That is not a laughing matter. Six children lost their lives—
In the same item of business
The Deputy Presiding Officer (Liam McArthur)
LD
The next item of business is a members’ business debate on motion S6M-01281, in the name of Stephen Kerr, on road safety in Falkirk. The debate will be concl...
Stephen Kerr (Central Scotland) (Con)
Con
I am delighted to have the opportunity to speak to this motion on road safety in Falkirk. Road safety is of paramount importance and, when properly enforced,...
Michelle Thomson (Falkirk East) (SNP)
SNP
I thank Stephen Kerr for securing this debate about roads in my constituency and other areas of Falkirk. I welcome his agreement with the ambition that is se...
Stephen Kerr
Con
Will the member take an intervention?
Michelle Thomson
SNP
I am already over my four minutes. The report is expected to be presented to the executive committee in the next two months.
The Deputy Presiding Officer
LD
You need to wind up now, Ms Thomson.
Michelle Thomson
SNP
None of the above can be confused with the national strategy, which is the job of this Parliament to determine. I draw the attention of all to the programme ...
Richard Leonard (Central Scotland) (Lab)
Lab
Down the years, Stephen Kerr and I have stood on opposite sides of the barricades. Ours is an unashamedly ideological clash and an honest and sincere politic...
Tess White (North East Scotland) (Con)
Con
I am delighted to speak today; I pay tribute to my colleague Stephen Kerr for securing this debate on road safety in Falkirk. Mr Kerr made a strong case for...
Stephen Kerr
Con
Does Tess White agree that Richard Leonard’s speech was a splendid example of where we can set aside party badges and colours and do the right thing for the ...
The Deputy Presiding Officer
LD
Ms White, I can give you time back.
Tess White
Con
I agree with Stephen Kerr. Please could the minister not laugh from a sedentary position? The safety of children around schools is very important and—Interru...
The Deputy Presiding Officer
LD
Could you take your seat, Ms White?
Tess White
Con
Safety is not a laughing matter. May I continue, Presiding Officer?
The Deputy Presiding Officer
LD
I discourage you from responding to interventions that are made from a sedentary position. I will deal with those.
Tess White
Con
Thank you, Presiding Officer. Decisions on such matters are best taken at local authority level, based on local knowledge and community feedback. I note th...
Michelle Thomson
SNP
Will the member take an intervention?
Tess White
Con
No. I am talking about safety, so I would like to proceed. Six children lost their lives—that is a higher figure than in the two years prior to the pandemic...
The Deputy Presiding Officer
LD
I invite the minister to respond to the debate. 13:12
The Minister for Transport (Graeme Dey)
SNP
I congratulate Stephen Kerr on raising the issue of road safety, which is a very important issue not just in Falkirk but across the country, and I commend th...
Stephen Kerr
Con
Can the minister understand the frustration of the people of Airth about the fact that motorists who continue along the A905 towards Stirling will find that,...
Graeme Dey
SNP
As someone who represents a constituency, of course I understand local communities’ concerns in such areas, but I will not get dragged into discussing the ba...
Richard Leonard
Lab
Will the minister take an intervention?
Graeme Dey
SNP
No. I want to make some progress. All that said, the Government encourages implementation of 20mph speed limits and zones in appropriate environments. In 20...
Graham Simpson (Central Scotland) (Con)
Con
The minister rightly points out that the guidance gives councils flexibility. The problem is that many councils do not show that flexibility and instead hide...
Graeme Dey
SNP
Let us move on to what is coming down the track in that regard. As Michelle Thomson rightly pointed out, there is a commitment in the programme for governmen...