Chamber
Plenary, 21 Feb 2007
21 Feb 2007 · S2 · Plenary
Item of business
Transport (North-east Scotland)
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 be divided into those of us who believe that there is much that we can do that is positive and those who believe that we are all doomed. That has been rather graphically illustrated tonight, although far be it from me to say who was in the doomed category, and which of us genuinely care about the future of our country and our economy and how we will move forward in the world.
I agree with all who argued that transport is integral to the economic, environmental and social well-being of the north-east, as well as to those of the rest of the country. I join Nora Radcliffe in commending the joint initiative of the Aberdeenshire environmental forum and the Aberdeen city environmental forum in their work on the transport strategy for the north-east. Transport is vital to us all, which is why the Executive published the national transport strategy in December 2006, to map out the long-term future for transport in Scotland.
Although I do not agree with Shiona Baird's conclusions, there is one point on which I might agree with her. We do—and will—take seriously the compelling evidence on climate change, which is why this will be the first Government to introduce a carbon balance sheet on transport emissions. It is why we have made emissions reduction one of the three strategic outcomes for transport policy over the next 20 years. That recognition of the role that transport plays in emissions shows a significant move forward.
I cannot accept Shiona Baird's criticisms of NESTRANS. Most members here—certainly members who represent constituencies in the north-east—would pay tribute to its work and its positive engagement with communities. Nora Radcliffe made a good point about the importance of ensuring that consultation means something; NESTRANS has done that. I agree with those who have argued positively in favour of its work in considering issues such as congestion and air quality in Aberdeen and the surrounding areas.
On roads, I answered Richard Baker's point about the Haudagain roundabout very fully during question time last week. Hardly a week goes by without that roundabout being mentioned. I am sure that Mr Adam may wish to refer to the detailed reply that I gave Richard Baker last week.
I agree with all who argued that transport is integral to the economic, environmental and social well-being of the north-east, as well as to those of the rest of the country. I join Nora Radcliffe in commending the joint initiative of the Aberdeenshire environmental forum and the Aberdeen city environmental forum in their work on the transport strategy for the north-east. Transport is vital to us all, which is why the Executive published the national transport strategy in December 2006, to map out the long-term future for transport in Scotland.
Although I do not agree with Shiona Baird's conclusions, there is one point on which I might agree with her. We do—and will—take seriously the compelling evidence on climate change, which is why this will be the first Government to introduce a carbon balance sheet on transport emissions. It is why we have made emissions reduction one of the three strategic outcomes for transport policy over the next 20 years. That recognition of the role that transport plays in emissions shows a significant move forward.
I cannot accept Shiona Baird's criticisms of NESTRANS. Most members here—certainly members who represent constituencies in the north-east—would pay tribute to its work and its positive engagement with communities. Nora Radcliffe made a good point about the importance of ensuring that consultation means something; NESTRANS has done that. I agree with those who have argued positively in favour of its work in considering issues such as congestion and air quality in Aberdeen and the surrounding areas.
On roads, I answered Richard Baker's point about the Haudagain roundabout very fully during question time last week. Hardly a week goes by without that roundabout being mentioned. I am sure that Mr Adam may wish to refer to the detailed reply that I gave Richard Baker last week.
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.