Chamber
Plenary, 21 Feb 2007
21 Feb 2007 · S2 · Plenary
Item of business
Transport (North-east Scotland)
I endorse Nora Radcliffe's points about the Competition Commission's actions in relation to the bus services that link Scotland's cities and the south and her heartfelt plea about ensuring that whichever company runs the east coast main line franchise following the retendering exercise that is under way does not slide out of its responsibilities. I also endorse what she said about the long-term ambition to dual the A96, including the completion of the bypasses that have long been sought along the route, at Keith, Fochabers and Elgin.
However, I was a little disappointed that some of the more contentious issues relating to transport in the north-east were not covered. The minister might like to comment on some of the problems in my constituency at the Haudagain roundabout. Perhaps he can clarify his statement last week that improvements to the Haudagain roundabout might well be on their way after the next stage of the Scottish transport appraisal guidance exercise. Will improvements to the Haudagain roundabout depend on the regeneration of Middlefield? Are the two inextricably linked? If so, will Executive money be available for the regeneration of Middlefield, thus allowing improvements to the Haudagain roundabout? Can the minister guarantee today that the Haudagain roundabout will be addressed by the Executive before detrunking takes place as a result of orders relating to the Aberdeen western peripheral route?
What progress is being made on a number of other important issues relating to the modern transport proposals that were jointly agreed by the councils? We hoped that the proposed improvements in infrastructure would go ahead.
However, I was a little disappointed that some of the more contentious issues relating to transport in the north-east were not covered. The minister might like to comment on some of the problems in my constituency at the Haudagain roundabout. Perhaps he can clarify his statement last week that improvements to the Haudagain roundabout might well be on their way after the next stage of the Scottish transport appraisal guidance exercise. Will improvements to the Haudagain roundabout depend on the regeneration of Middlefield? Are the two inextricably linked? If so, will Executive money be available for the regeneration of Middlefield, thus allowing improvements to the Haudagain roundabout? Can the minister guarantee today that the Haudagain roundabout will be addressed by the Executive before detrunking takes place as a result of orders relating to the Aberdeen western peripheral route?
What progress is being made on a number of other important issues relating to the modern transport proposals that were jointly agreed by the councils? We hoped that the proposed improvements in infrastructure would go ahead.
In the same item of business
The Deputy Presiding Officer (Trish Godman):
Lab
The final item of business is a members' business debate on motion S2M-5523, in the name of Nora Radcliffe, on making our transport fit for purpose. The deba...
Motion debated,
That the Parliament, recognising that transport is integral to the economic, environmental and social well-being of communities, commends the joint initiativ...
Nora Radcliffe (Gordon) (LD):
LD
I thank the members who signed the motion and members who have remained in the chamber for the debate, and I repeat my commendation of the Aberdeenshire envi...
Brian Adam (Aberdeen North) (SNP):
SNP
I endorse Nora Radcliffe's points about the Competition Commission's actions in relation to the bus services that link Scotland's cities and the south and he...
Jeremy Purvis (Tweeddale, Ettrick and Lauderdale) (LD):
LD
Will the member take an intervention?
Brian Adam:
SNP
I would like to develop my point.Four years ago, the First Minister came to Aberdeen and announced the Aberdeen western peripheral route; nothing has appeare...
Shiona Baird (North East Scotland) (Green):
Green
Nora Radcliffe's motion is very interesting. It is fair to say that transport is the Achilles' heel of climate change. Politicians talk a good game on progre...
Brian Adam:
SNP
Will the member take an intervention?
Shiona Baird:
Green
I am sorry, but I have quite a bit to get through. On the environment—the second strand—NESTRANS does at least acknowledge climate change, but only in the co...
Jeremy Purvis:
LD
Will the member take an intervention?
Shiona Baird:
Green
No. I need to keep going, or I will not get my speech finished in time.What message are we MSPs prepared to send out? The motion asks that"the people of the ...
Mr David Davidson (North East Scotland) (Con):
Con
I congratulate Nora Radcliffe on securing the debate. I say to the Green party representative that I do my bit for the environment. I use the train, when it ...
Shiona Baird:
Green
Will the member give way?
Mr Davidson:
Con
Not at the moment. We are not in an either/or situation. It is a practical fact that if the north-east had fewer foreign trips by air, it would do less busin...
Richard Baker (North East Scotland) (Lab):
Lab
I congratulate Nora Radcliffe on securing the debate. Her motion recognises the great importance of the transport debate in Aberdeenshire and Aberdeen. I kno...
Shiona Baird:
Green
Would Richard Baker accept that the evidence shows that the western peripheral route will reduce the congestion in the centre of Aberdeen by only 2.5 per cent?
Richard Baker:
Lab
The minister is considering a number of proposals that will address congestion in addition to the western peripheral route. Obviously, we have the plans for ...
The Minister for Transport (Tavish Scott):
LD
I am delighted to respond to the debate, which has been secured by Nora Radcliffe, on transport in the north-east. Participants in transport debates tend to ...
Brian Adam:
SNP
Will the minister take an intervention on that point?
Tavish Scott:
LD
I have dealt with the matter. I want to deal with many points tonight.
Brian Adam:
SNP
The minister did not deal with the point.
Tavish Scott:
LD
The member may not like it, but I dealt with it, and I dealt with Mr Baker's question last week.On David Davidson's very fair point about road safety, one of...
Meeting closed at 17:38.