Meeting of the Parliament 15 March 2016
I think that the issue is more the perception than the reality. The fact that tolls were in place meant that the bridge was funding itself—perhaps not completely, but there was a perception in that regard. That is significant, because the change in funding arrangements for the bridge had an impact on FETA’s indicative capital plan.
The committee’s report makes it clear that the volume of traffic using the bridge has increased beyond the expectations of the bridge’s designers. It has therefore been necessary to have a continuous programme of works being carried out. FETA drew up a long-term programme of works that it considered would be needed in the 15 years from 2010-11 to 2024-25. It is important to note that £3.1 million of the total £120.3 million was provided for the truss end links.
However, the committee heard that because of a reduction in capital funding FETA was forced to reprioritise its long-term programme of works. The work on the truss end links was judged to be non-critical to the safety of commuters and the long-term integrity of the bridge. As a result, replacement of the truss end links was ranked fifth on the list of priority projects and was subsequently delayed. It is clear that FETA’s decision was an entirely reasonable and pragmatic response to budgetary constraints. However, it is equally clear that FETA’s decision was a direct consequence of the decision by the Scottish Government and Transport Scotland to reduce its capital funding. FETA should not have been in the position, due to the Scottish Government’s decision to reduce its funding, that it had to prioritise important maintenance.
As this is my valedictory speech, I would like to thank everyone within and outwith the chamber, particularly the security staff, the clerks, David Cullum, Presiding Officer Tricia Marwick, and Deputy Presiding Officers Elaine Smith and John Scott. I thank the Conservatives’ parliamentary research unit for all its tolerance and forbearance during my short but momentous tenure in Parliament, which I have richly enjoyed.
Coming in on the back of my friend David McLetchie’s demise, and having suffered from the same affliction as him but, fortunately, recovered, it has been particularly poignant that I have been able to stand here and sound off about the issues that matter to my constituents and the public at large. I have also had to watch my language many times. I have been tempted—but managed to avoid—to say two words concerning sex and travel.
I realise that, sometimes, I have tried members’ patience with my perambulations and maverick ways, but it has been a great experience. It is onwards and upwards from here: I shall not be retiring because I do not smoke a pipe and do not possess any slippers, so Parliament will be hearing from me again, which, with my voice, will not be difficult.
My final thanks are to my staff, whom I was lucky enough to inherit from David McLetchie. They are my two researchers, Martin Donald and, latterly, Frederick Pryde, and the power behind all Conservative thrones—not “Game of Thrones”—Ann Menzies. Finally, I thank our prize-winning barista, Kirsty Rafferty, for my daily caffeine fix.
Thank you one and all, and arrivederci.
16:26