(S3O-6748) Transport Scotland

Transport Scotland

4. Karen Whitefield (Airdrie and Shotts) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive when the Minister for Transport, Infrastructure and Climate Change last met Transport Scotland. (S3O-6748)

The Minister for Transport, Infrastructure and Climate Change (Stewart Stevenson):





Transport Scotland is part of the Scottish Government and meetings with ministers occur regularly in the normal course of business.

Karen Whitefield: Is the minister aware that recently published research by the University of Glasgow and the University of Southampton shows that the electrification of the Glasgow to Edinburgh main line will reach capacity by 2022? The line provides huge added value to the Scottish economy through reduced travelling times between the two cities. What proposals is the minister considering to introduce high-speed ground transport between Glasgow and Edinburgh before capacity is overtaken?

Stewart Stevenson: The issue of capacity is complex. Part of our proposals involves the creation of four-line capacity from Winchburgh junction to the centre of Edinburgh, which will provide extra capacity. The opening of the Airdrie-Bathgate line will increase capacity between Glasgow and Edinburgh, taking the number of trains per hour to 13. We recognise the economic value of time, which the member mentions. We reckon that every minute off the Glasgow-Edinburgh journey time is worth £60 million. That is why we want to get journey times down from the current 52 minutes to around 35 minutes.

Shirley-Anne Somerville (Lothians) (SNP): The minister will be aware of the concerns among residents of South Queensferry regarding some of the details of the new Forth crossing. Will he ensure that Transport Scotland's officials meet the residents—especially those who will be directly affected by the scheme—as early as possible? Will he also ensure that they are given full access to information on the design of the approach roads and issues such as the park-and-ride facility and the Echline plaza? Will he ensure that those residents have as much access as possible to the people who will make the decisions before the final decisions are made?

Stewart Stevenson: The member asks a range of questions. The key point is that Transport Scotland is engaging directly with many of the parties involved in South Queensferry, and that will continue. We want to ensure that, as we finalise the design of the approach roads prior to introducing the necessary consents that will take the project forward, we have addressed all the concerns. It is not our intention to proceed with the proposed park-and-ride facility on the south side as part of the overall programme.