Chamber
Plenary, 14 Mar 2007
14 Mar 2007 · S2 · Plenary
Item of business
Edinburgh Airport Rail Link Bill: Final Stage
The minister says, "Yes you have," but the record will show that we have clearly stated that the SNP recognises that long-term objectives must include, for example, the upgrading of the A9 and A96 to dual carriageway. We always welcome converts to the cause, no matter how late, so I was delighted to read in this morning's edition of The Press and Journal—an excellent organ that, as we all know, publishes only the unvarnished truth—that the First Minister now agrees with the Scottish National Party that the A96 requires major upgrading.
Politics is about making choices; government is about making hard choices. The SNP has made hard choices before the election. One of those hard choices is that, if we have the opportunity to form the next Government—if we are entrusted with that privilege by the people of Scotland at the next election—we will not proceed with the EARL project but instead proceed with projects that will benefit the whole of Scotland.
There remain a number of flaws and unanswered questions about the EARL project. Network Rail said that EARL will have an adverse impact on its timetable. Scott Barrie said that EARL will add only a few extra minutes to people's journeys. If those who travel from Edinburgh to Inverkeithing work 48 weeks per year, they will spend 40 hours more in the train each year even though they may want to go to the airport only once or twice a year.
The rolling stock has not been included in the balance sheet. Perhaps that follows some of the curious accounting practices we learned about during the Holyrood project fiasco. They may have been okay for Sir Muir Russell, but they did not fool the public.
The benefits that it is said will derive from the scheme have been calculated over a period of 60 years. How many projects in the commercial world are judged on not making a proper return for up to 60 years? Few of us, if any, will be around to carry out the audit in 60 years' time.
I find the Conservatives' position rather curious. They support the project, but only if the costs are pegged and some kind of guarantee is sought. Well, they will wait as long for that guarantee as they will for a guarantee that there will be no rain in Fort William next year.
Politics is about making choices; government is about making hard choices. The SNP has made hard choices before the election. One of those hard choices is that, if we have the opportunity to form the next Government—if we are entrusted with that privilege by the people of Scotland at the next election—we will not proceed with the EARL project but instead proceed with projects that will benefit the whole of Scotland.
There remain a number of flaws and unanswered questions about the EARL project. Network Rail said that EARL will have an adverse impact on its timetable. Scott Barrie said that EARL will add only a few extra minutes to people's journeys. If those who travel from Edinburgh to Inverkeithing work 48 weeks per year, they will spend 40 hours more in the train each year even though they may want to go to the airport only once or twice a year.
The rolling stock has not been included in the balance sheet. Perhaps that follows some of the curious accounting practices we learned about during the Holyrood project fiasco. They may have been okay for Sir Muir Russell, but they did not fool the public.
The benefits that it is said will derive from the scheme have been calculated over a period of 60 years. How many projects in the commercial world are judged on not making a proper return for up to 60 years? Few of us, if any, will be around to carry out the audit in 60 years' time.
I find the Conservatives' position rather curious. They support the project, but only if the costs are pegged and some kind of guarantee is sought. Well, they will wait as long for that guarantee as they will for a guarantee that there will be no rain in Fort William next year.
In the same item of business
The Presiding Officer (Mr George Reid):
NPA
The next item of business is a debate on motion S2M-5685, in the name of Scott Barrie, that the Parliament agrees that the Edinburgh Airport Rail Link Bill b...
Scott Barrie (Dunfermline West) (Lab):
Lab
The Edinburgh Airport Rail Link Bill was introduced on 16 March 2006. It seeks powers to provide the promoter, Transport Initiatives Edinburgh Ltd, with stat...
Pauline McNeill (Glasgow Kelvin) (Lab):
Lab
The member says that the bill will do a lot more than just provide for the building of a rail link to the airport, but has the committee fully considered the...
Scott Barrie:
Lab
The committee examined fully the effect that the proposal might have on services in the central belt and further afield. We put Pauline McNeill's point to Ne...
Fergus Ewing (Inverness East, Nairn and Lochaber) (SNP):
SNP
In the evidence that he gave on behalf of Network Rail, Ron McAulay said that, if the EARL project is constructed,"that will have an adverse impact and … we ...
Scott Barrie:
Lab
I think that I addressed that point, in part, in the response that I gave to Pauline McNeill. Although some journeys that are diverted via the airport may ta...
Margaret Smith (Edinburgh West) (LD):
LD
Some concerns remain. The committee has said that there should be a code of construction practice and local construction codes. Will the member give us more ...
Scott Barrie:
Lab
The committee was satisfied by the fact that the requirement for a code of construction practice is incorporated in the bill. We will thus be able to ensure ...
The Minister for Transport (Tavish Scott):
LD
I thank the Edinburgh Airport Rail Link Bill Committee and its convener, Scott Barrie, for their work on the bill. I pay tribute to the committee clerks, the...
Pauline McNeill:
Lab
I put to the minister the same point that I put to Scott Barrie. Before I vote on the bill this evening, I would like an assurance from the minister that he,...
Tavish Scott:
LD
We considered the matter closely and we do not envisage that there will be anything other than a very minimal impact in relation to the Glasgow airport rail ...
Brian Adam (Aberdeen North) (SNP):
SNP
As the minister is now expressing confidence about the capacity of the industry to deliver the new rolling stock, can he tell us precisely what the additiona...
Tavish Scott:
LD
I cannot give Mr Adam that answer today, as we have only just entered the rolling stock procurement programme—as I have said repeatedly in written answers to...
Fergus Ewing (Inverness East, Nairn and Lochaber) (SNP):
SNP
I will set out the SNP's position on EARL—I hope not in an insipid way. We offer a clear alternative to what all the other parties offer on the issue. We do ...
Tavish Scott:
LD
He is making it up.
Fergus Ewing:
SNP
It is the SNP's view—despite the minister's habitual running commentary, which we enjoy during these debates—that the money can be better spent on other proj...
Tavish Scott:
LD
Will the member give way?
Fergus Ewing:
SNP
In a moment.At present, our rail network is running at or near capacity. The SNP's view is that we must invest to increase that capacity. Otherwise, we will ...
Tavish Scott:
LD
Does Mr Ewing believe that Network Rail is wrong to have made the Edinburgh airport rail link part of its route utilisation strategy?
Fergus Ewing:
SNP
We do not believe that EARL is a pivotal part of Network Rail's route utilisation strategy. A more important part of the strategy is to reduce journey times ...
Bristow Muldoon (Livingston) (Lab):
Lab
Will the member take an intervention?
Fergus Ewing:
SNP
I will finish this point, if I may.We need to effect major improvements to our road network throughout Scotland. Plainly, it is not possible to make all impr...
Tavish Scott:
LD
Yes you have.
Fergus Ewing:
SNP
The minister says, "Yes you have," but the record will show that we have clearly stated that the SNP recognises that long-term objectives must include, for e...
Lord James Douglas-Hamilton (Lothians) (Con):
Con
Does the member accept that if Scotland's capital is a great deal less competitive in communications than other European capitals, that will be to Scotland's...
Fergus Ewing:
SNP
I accept that point in principle. Indeed, the SNP has developed policies to tackle that very problem. For example, we will provide substantial opportunities ...
Tavish Scott:
LD
I am very glad about that.
Fergus Ewing:
SNP
Does the SNP support EARL? The answer is: no, no and no. Instead, we will invest the money for the good of the whole of Scotland.
David McLetchie (Edinburgh Pentlands) (Con):
Con
In the preliminary stage debate on the bill, I said that inadequate information on the project's funding and on alternative and more cost-effective methods o...
Iain Smith (North East Fife) (LD):
LD
Does the member accept that the major benefit of the rail link is that it will serve people who travel from elsewhere in Scotland, whereas the proposed traml...