Born in 1946 and brought up in Cupar, Fife, I was educated at the local school - A87 and A887 (Motorcycle Traffic)
7. John Farquhar Munro (Ross, Skye and Inverness West) (LD): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it is aware of the heavy motorcycle traffic on the A87 and A887 over the summer months and what assessment it has made of the impact of the poor condition of these roads on motorcycle safety. (S3O-3766)
The Minister for Transport, Infrastructure and Climate Change (Stewart Stevenson):
I am aware from the automatic traffic count data for the A87 that there is a significant increase in the number of motorcyclists using this route during the tourist season. No data exists for the A887. The number of reported injury accidents involving motorcyclists on the A87 has, however, reduced in each of the three years between 2005 and 2007. There were no reported injury accidents involving motorcyclists on the A887 during the period.
John Farquhar Munro: I hope that the statistics can be improved on this year. I am afraid that, because of the current condition of the surface of the A87, we are leaving ourselves open to serious injury claims because of that section of road. When can we expect to see even minor improvement to the road’s surface?
Stewart Stevenson: Although it has been 40 years since I was on a motorcycle—my wife no longer allows me such pleasures—
Alex Johnstone (North East Scotland) (Con): Steady now. We do not want to go there.
Stewart Stevenson: We have to have some fun.
I am aware of the effect that poor surfaces can have on safety and motorcyclists’ ability to use roads. We will be looking at the A87 in the context of the strategic projects review and will be keeping the situation under constant review. If John Farquhar Munro is especially concerned about specific parts of the road, I will be grateful if he draws them to my attention so that I can take specific action.
