Hansard

The Deputy Presiding Officer (Annabelle Ewing) SNP

The final item of business is a members’ business debate on motion S6M-20178, in the name of Tim Eagle, on supporting Scotland’s bridges. The debate will be ...

Tim Eagle (Highlands and Islands) (Con) Con

I thank—Interruption.

The Deputy Presiding Officer SNP

Could we have Mr Eagle’s microphone on, please?

Tim Eagle Con

I will start again, Deputy Presiding Officer—thank you. I thank all those members who will be speaking in the debate. Some might be wondering why, a few mon...

Douglas Ross (Highlands and Islands) (Con) Con

I was delighted when I secured significant investment from the United Kingdom Government towards the cost of reopening Cloddach bridge. The project was then ...

Tim Eagle Con

I completely agree with that point, and I commend Douglas Ross for putting in a huge amount of work to secure that money from the UK Government at the time. ...

Richard Lochhead (Moray) (SNP) SNP

I thank the member for emphasising the importance of regular inspections. He may be aware that, following representations from tenacious members of the Garmo...

Tim Eagle Con

I agree with the point that regular surveys are required, which is why I put it in my speech. The problem is that Moray Council’s funding has been so deplete...

Emma Roddick (Highlands and Islands) (SNP) SNP

I congratulate Tim Eagle on securing time for the debate and thank him for his attention on this issue. I hope that he, and colleagues across the chamber, wo...

Finlay Carson (Galloway and West Dumfries) (Con) Con

I congratulate my friend and colleague for bringing this important issue to the chamber. Bridges in rural Scotland are far more than physical structures—the...

The Deputy Presiding Officer SNP

I take this opportunity to remind members that back-bench speeches should be up to four minutes—as members have agreed to by their participation in the debat...

Davy Russell (Hamilton, Larkhall and Stonehouse) (Lab) Lab

I thank Tim Eagle for securing the debate. Roads and rail—and, once upon a time, canals as well—have been the vital arteries of our nation, which have drive...

The Deputy Presiding Officer SNP

I call Alexander Burnett, who joins us remotely. 17:40

Alexander Burnett (Aberdeenshire West) (Con) Con

I thank Tim Eagle for bringing this critical issue to the chamber for debate. In my Aberdeenshire West constituency, bridge infrastructure has been an issue...

Stephen Kerr (Central Scotland) (Con) Con

I am pleased to speak in the debate, and I appreciate the efforts of my colleague Tim Eagle in lodging the motion and bringing the debate to the chamber. Fro...

Craig Hoy (South Scotland) (Con) Con

I thank Tim Eagle for securing the debate. Across Scotland, many bridges are in need of urgent investment, and we have heard about a number of them today. O...

Edward Mountain (Highlands and Islands) (Con) Con

I had planned just to listen to the debate and had no intention of speaking in it, but I have been prompted to come to my feet to talk about a couple of issu...

The Cabinet Secretary for Transport (Fiona Hyslop) SNP

I thank members for their informed and passionate contributions. The Scottish Government recognises the value and importance of bridges to Scottish society....

Craig Hoy Con

Does the cabinet secretary share the concerns of many local authorities—for example, Aberdeenshire Council—that the capital projections in relation to the bu...

Fiona Hyslop SNP

I will address some capital issues that Craig Hoy might be interested in. The Scottish Government has provided record levels of funding to local government....