Committee
Public Petitions Committee, 24 Jun 2008
24 Jun 2008 · S3 · Public Petitions Committee
Item of business
New Petitions
A82 Upgrade (PE1140)
John Hutchison (A82 Partnership):
Watch on SPTV
We represent the west Highlands and Islands with a petition that has achieved record support of more than 8,500 signatures in only four weeks—such is the strength of feeling. The map that we have circulated shows the strategic importance of the A82 corridor. We emphasise that the route from Glasgow to Skye is a designated trans-European route.In the past, when local authorities were agents of the trunk road authority, the A82 was covered by Argyll and Bute District Council, Central Regional Council and Highland Regional Council, but the section of the A82 from Tarbet to Fort William was on the periphery of their interest. That part of the road did not serve councillors' seats, so they did not press for improvement. That is the fundamental reason why we are in the present situation.The A9 is generally regarded as the main access route to the Highlands, but the A82 is fundamentally important to the west Highlands. The A82 also forms an important tourist circuit via the A9 and represents a winter alternative to the A9 for goods vehicles.Tourism has a growth target of 50 per cent by 2015 and we must be able to cope with such growth. We were disappointed that the national planning framework consultation paper made little reference to the A82. In response, we recommended that the A82 should be made a national priority, as Governments have before made the A90 and the A9 national priorities.Coach and other transport operators are forced to use the A84 through Callander to avoid the A82 by Loch Lomond, which increases diesel use and emissions on the M80 and on the M8. Alasdair Ferguson can describe a haulier's experience if members ask him to.The economic appraisal confirms that the return rate on investment in the A82 is particularly good. Stewart Maclean will answer members' economic questions.We are aware of the A82's accident record. People compare the A82 with the A9, but we must emphasise that the A82's accident record is much higher in each category, and especially with respect to serious collisions. From the west Highlands, it is difficult to understand the focus on the A9 and the calls to upgrade that road of modern construction when the record does not justify doing so. Of course, we understand that the A9 serves the political seat.The A82 is frequently closed for five or more hours for investigations into serious accidents, and there are lengthy diversions that generally add an hour or two to journey times.The current transport projects review is only part of the answer. Only projects that have been identified so far will be reviewed. We need to do more. The A82 must be made a national priority.Our petition's purpose is to express the frustration that exists in the west Highlands and Islands on the matter and to ask the Scottish Government to put in place a programme of improvements on the A82 to bring the entire route up to a modern standard. We need support across the parties for action through the committee system or in whatever way is appropriate.
In the same item of business
The Convener:
Lab
Petition PE1140 is by Alasdair Ferguson on behalf of the A82 Partnership. It calls on the Parliament to urge the Scottish Government to begin phased improvem...
John Hutchison (A82 Partnership):
We represent the west Highlands and Islands with a petition that has achieved record support of more than 8,500 signatures in only four weeks—such is the str...
The Convener:
Lab
Thank you.Two elected members whose parliamentary constituencies are served by the A82 are here. I welcome Jackie Baillie—indeed, perhaps she will want to we...
Rhoda Grant (Highlands and Islands) (Lab):
Lab
I probably should declare an interest, as I live on the A82. I am aware of the accident rate on that road. When I hear a siren going past my house, I think "...
Alasdair Ferguson (A82 Partnership):
I can answer several of those questions. I confirm that several hauliers from the islands use the A82 as their route going south, particularly if they come t...
John Farquhar Munro (Ross, Skye and Inverness West) (LD):
LD
Good morning, folks. Coming down the road this morning, I left the west coast a bit frustrated as I was trying to push on. I wondered what people are complai...
Alasdair Ferguson:
It is a double-edged sword. Because of the width and the nature of the road, we divert vehicles down the A84 through Callander. There is no consistency in th...
John Farquhar Munro:
LD
That is very true. Someone such as yourself has had a lot of experience of the situation on the A82. If the petition is successful and achieves some financia...
Alasdair Ferguson:
The highest priority area is Loch Lomondside between Tarbet and Inveruglas, up to Pulpit Rock.
Nanette Milne (North East Scotland) (Con):
Con
I come from Aberdeen, so you will appreciate that I do not drive on the A82 very often, although when family go skiing at Aonach Mòr, I am always relieved wh...
John Hutchison:
If you are not familiar with the road, you will enjoy the DVD.The route action plan that has been produced identified £90 million of work, and it is a start....
Nanette Milne:
Con
Have you been able to meet the minister to put across your concerns? I know that your campaign has been very active, and I wondered whether that was part of it.
John Hutchison:
That is part of our campaign. We have been trying to meet the minister for a couple of months now. I am pleased to say that I had a call this morning offerin...
The Convener:
Lab
I observe that a petition concentrates the mind. You got a call on the morning of your presentation on your petition. Well done to the minister and his staff...
Jackie Baillie (Dumbarton) (Lab):
Lab
Timing is indeed a wonderful thing.I welcome the Public Petitions Committee to Dumbarton and hope that you will all return. I register my strong support for ...
Stewart Maclean (A82 Partnership):
You will note that an 84-page economic report is attached to the petition. I am sure that you have all studied it in great detail, but for those of you who h...
Fergus Ewing (Inverness East, Nairn and Lochaber) (SNP):
SNP
As the constituency MSP for Lochaber, I congratulate the campaigners on their petition to the Parliament, which I believe has attracted more signatures than ...
John Hutchison:
It is interesting to note that the Scottish Ambulance Service has been an enthusiastic provider of data to us. It generally considers itself to be signed up ...
Alasdair Ferguson:
The note was about the Scottish Ambulance Service. I simply point out that if the road gets blocked for any reason—say, by a serious accident—anywhere betwee...
The Convener:
Lab
I am aware that we have a very full agenda. Your purpose in speaking to the petition is obviously to amplify wider demands for investment, but the committee ...
Jackie Baillie:
Lab
Far be it from me to suggest what committee members should do—I am sure that their comments will supplement what we already have—but, given the evidence that...
Rhoda Grant:
Lab
It is important that we write to the Scottish Government and Transport Scotland in the terms that Jackie Baillie has outlined. However, I wonder whether we s...
The Convener:
Lab
Other than that, not many people, then.
Rhoda Grant:
Lab
There could be a few more.
Nanette Milne:
Con
What about the organisation that maintains the roads in wintertime?
The Convener:
Lab
Okay—TranServ as well. We now have a range of agencies and organisations to contact.From their experience of running the campaign, the petitioners will know ...
Stewart Maclean:
I know that time is of the essence, but please take the opportunity to watch the DVD. It really is worth while—even if only to hear Runrig singing "Loch Lomo...
John Farquhar Munro:
LD
The point has been forcefully made that, even with the capital that has been allocated, things are moving a bit too slowly. In our correspondence with organi...
The Convener:
Lab
To hurry them up, we will threaten them with a full Runrig album. I will say that before Donnie Munro gets a haud o me.I hope that today's meeting has been u...
John Hutchison:
Thank you for hearing us today. We know that you were not obliged to invite us to be present, but we thank you for doing so. Around 8,500 people are watching...