Committee
Citizen Participation and Public Petitions Committee 17 May 2023
17 May 2023 · S6 · Citizen Participation and Public Petitions Committee
Item of business
Continued Petitions
A82 Upgrade (PE1967)
As always, Jackie Baillie has set out a strong case for that for which she advocates. In considering whether we should recommend a STAG report be produced, I wonder whether we should get a little bit more information. I say that because the national park authority’s submission raises about 10 points—Ms Baillie will know them well—all of which seem to me to be likely to involve very significant cost and difficulty. I am not suggesting that we should not recommend that there be a STAG report, but I would like to know how long it would take to get the report and what the process would involve without being obstructive to the matter in any way. The petitioners’ proposal would involve crossing the west Highland railway line twice, require various tunnels and steep land contours, affect sites of special scientific interest and water courses and involve crossing the Sloy power station pipes. I am fairly familiar with much of that area and it seems to involve such a level of difficulty that the STAG process might take a year or so. I am sorry to go on a bit, but I raise that because I know that, throughout the west Highlands—not only in Jackie Baillie’s constituency but the adjoining ones in Argyll and Lochaber—the road has long been the subject of an overwhelming desire for improvements for all concerned, as I think that everybody would agree. I am not being obstructive to Jackie Baillie’s proposal, but, if we are going to make the recommendation, we should know whether it will take three months, which would be fine, or three years. If it is going to take three years, I am not sure that I would want to support it. Convener, I do not know whether it is appropriate to ask Ms Baillie for her comments on that; I have not had a chance to discuss that with her.
In the same item of business
The Convener
Con
The next petition, PE1967, is on protecting Loch Lomond’s Atlantic oak wood shoreline by implementing the high road option for the A82 upgrade between Tarbet...
Jackie Baillie
Lab
Thank you very much, convener. I point out that John Urquhart is in the gallery, such is the interest in the petition. Far be it from me to pick up the conv...
The Convener
Con
Thank you, Ms Baillie. Indeed, you pointed out to us on a previous occasion that we have a reputation for liking to get out and about from Holyrood and, in o...
Fergus Ewing
SNP
As always, Jackie Baillie has set out a strong case for that for which she advocates. In considering whether we should recommend a STAG report be produced,...
The Convener
Con
I am content to invite Jackie Baillie to respond. I think that she indicated that she might like to make a further comment. 11:15
Jackie Baillie
Lab
Thank you. The petitioners would contest the level of complication that is being suggested, but the difficulty that I have is that there needs to be a realit...
The Convener
Con
That is fair enough. Thank you.
David Torrance
SNP
If we are going to visit Loch Lomond, we will be just as well to go up the road a wee bit to the Rest and be Thankful to see Jackie Baillie’s other area.
Jackie Baillie
Lab
I would be delighted, convener.
David Torrance
SNP
I wonder whether we can write to the Minister for Transport to ask whether he will do a full STAG report on the second option and raise the concerns of the L...
The Convener
Con
Are we agreed on those actions? Members indicated agreement.
The Convener
Con
I also suggest that we look at the possibility of arranging a visit for those members of the committee who might like to visit the area. It is quite a compli...