Official Report 1214KB pdf
Climate Action and Energy, and Transport
Glasgow to Kilmarnock Rail Service
To ask the Scottish Government whether it will consider making improvements to the Glasgow to Kilmarnock Sunday evening rail service. (S6O-05082)
Rail passengers travelling between Kilmarnock and Glasgow have an hourly service throughout the day on Sundays, which mostly continues until the evening, with the last services scheduled for around 9 pm from Kilmarnock and 10 pm from Glasgow. I appreciate that there is a gap in late evening services for those who are returning from Glasgow, and ScotRail is working to address that issue, when its resources allow, to further enhance the existing service. Passengers in Kilmarnock also have good bus provision connecting them with Glasgow.
I commend Mr Coffey’s commitment to ensuring that his constituents in Kilmarnock and Irvine Valley have a robust daily rail connection with Glasgow, including on Sundays. ScotRail continuously reviews its services and will make adjustments where appropriate, when resources and staff availability allow.
The cabinet secretary will be well aware that Kilmarnock gave Scotland its first public railway line in 1812 and has an iconic place in Scotland’s railway history. However, in this day and age, more than 200 years later, my constituents have to put up with what must be one of the poorest services in Scotland on Sunday evenings. Having a train from Glasgow at 7 pm and a final one three hours later, at 10 pm, is hardly an example of a modern service and falls far behind the service enjoyed by many other towns, some of which are much smaller than Kilmarnock. Will the cabinet secretary give serious consideration to sorting out that anomaly before both she and I leave this place, so that my constituents can look forward to a service that meets the demands of modern times and at least matches what is in place elsewhere in Scotland?
I said in my first answer that the service is under review and that ScotRail wants to improve it where possible. As I indicated, the importance placed on having a late service may perhaps be compromising mid-evening journey times.
Complexities can often play a significant role in how services are designed and we must find a balance when providing public transport links. In general, Kilmarnock enjoys fast and frequent public transport links that connect it with Glasgow, but, as I think everyone is aware, Saturdays and Sundays are becoming increasingly popular days for using our rail services. As I said, if resources become available, the current service will be revised.
A regular and reliable rail service plays an important role in both supporting the local economy and connecting people across communities, but those services must be welcoming to passengers. Several constituents have recently contacted me with concerns about antisocial behaviour and even about the basic cleanliness of carriages on that service. Does the cabinet secretary recognise the importance of maintaining basic quality standards of safety and hygiene? What specific measures are being taken to taken to deal with those issues on the Glasgow to Kilmarnock service?
I encourage passengers to report any particular concerns. Scotland’s inspection regime is robust, precisely to ensure that standards are maintained. I feel very strongly about the member’s first point regarding antisocial behaviour and have convened a meeting of all partners, including the rail unions. A range of activity is under way, including the potential extension of penalty charge notices, the use of body-worn cameras by staff, the provision of help points and closed-circuit television on platforms. All those measures give comfort, as does increased staff visibility, which we know gives people more confidence. I am actively working on all those areas, including our travel safe team, which has been expanded in Edinburgh.
Ardrossan Harbour
To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on when the heads of terms agreement for the purchase of Ardrossan harbour from Peel Ports will be signed. (S6O-05083)
I can confirm to Kenneth Gibson that the redevelopment of Ardrossan harbour and the current focus on potential purchase remains a priority for this Government. Caledonian Maritime Assets Ltd and Peel Ports remain in active dialogue on detailed terms and conditions as part of the heads of terms negotiations. I heard directly from CMAL’s chief executive officer earlier today about the progress being made and the complexities of some of the terms currently being negotiated. A further meeting between the two parties is being scheduled for early next month and it is hoped that the full detail of the outcome of the negotiations can then be reported through the CMAL board to Transport Scotland.
Any agreement to buy the port must meet legal and commercial requirements and be supported by ministers. I will, of course, update Mr Gibson, other members of the Ardrossan harbour task force, the relevant parliamentary committee and other interested parties and MSPs on that outcome as soon as I am able to.
The redevelopment and purchase of Ardrossan harbour were deadlocked for years and I therefore warmly and sincerely thank the cabinet secretary for breaking the logjam. On 8 October, I participated in a public meeting with more than 200 Ardrossan and Arran residents, at which a letter from Caledonian Maritime Assets Ltd was read out, expressing confidence that the purchase of Ardrossan harbour from Peel Ports would be concluded by Christmas. Can the cabinet secretary confirm that that timetable is still on schedule?
I can confirm that there is continuing momentum. It will be around that date that we are looking to finalise the arrangements. Clearly, it is not just about the purchase. The purchase is for a purpose, and that purpose is to ensure that Ardrossan harbour can be redeveloped. In the meantime, the member will know my commitment to ensure that there is a two-port solution in place and that it continues to serve Arran.
It was reported three weeks ago that the Scottish Government had agreed a price with Peel Ports for the sale of Ardrossan harbour. However, what analysis has the cabinet secretary undertaken to gauge how much additional investment will be required after the sale goes through to modernise the harbour to ensure that ferries can—finally—sail from Ardrossan again?
The member might not be aware of this, but the Ardrossan harbour task force worked to ensure that there is an understanding of what is required in terms of development. There are short-term measures that will need to be taken as well as the longer-term measures, and those were set out. One of the issues—and the reason why I want to break the logjam to make sure that we have the purchase—is about the distribution of investment that can come from the current private owner, the council and the Government. Some of that scoping work has been done.
The member may not be familiar with the Irish berth and other aspects but, in relation to their development, more substantial work may need to be done, and whether that can all be done at the same time is part of the assessment. Once the purchase is concluded, it will enable CMAL to have a more direct assessment of what is needed for that improvement.
Rural Community Transport
To ask the Scottish Government what steps it is taking to support community transport initiatives in rural areas. (S6O-05084)
Scottish ministers recognise the important role that community transport services play in Scotland. We continue to support the provision of those services in rural areas through the network support grant, the local government finance settlement and funding the Community Transport Association in Scotland to support local community transport operators. Funding for the plugged-in communities fund to support the transition to zero-emission electric vehicles was substantially increased to £4 million in the 2025-26 budget, and eligibility was extended to include the purchase of zero-emission vehicles for new routes.
Across Stirling, initiatives such as the Killin and district volunteer car scheme and the Strathard volunteer driver service are lifelines, as demand-responsive services that get people from door to door. Will the minister outline how the Government can work with local authorities and communities to support the development of such services?
I absolutely take on board the point that Evelyn Tweed makes about the value of those voluntary organisations. In addition to the support that the Scottish Government provides for community transport that I mentioned in my response to the previous question, local authorities receive funding to support community transport services through the local government finance settlement. That, in turn, allows local authorities to work with communities to support the development of such services.
The Scottish Government also funds the Community Transport Association in Scotland, which offers a lot of support and guidance to the sector. The CTA in England has a deep-dive research project that will look at evaluating and future-proofing volunteer car schemes. I look forward to seeing its findings and will consider their applicability to Scotland.
Moray Firth FLOW-Park
To ask the Scottish Government what consideration it will give to the significant public opposition to the proposed Moray Firth FLOW-Park. (S6O-05085)
I acknowledge the public concerns around the proposed Moray Firth FLOW-Park and I assure the Parliament that processes are in place to ensure that they are taken into consideration. The project remains at an early stage, with exploratory surveys being undertaken by the developer. As part of the standard process, the developer is encouraged to engage with stakeholders and the local community. Should the developer subsequently decide to submit an application to the Scottish Government, the proposal will be subject to the required regulatory processes, which include formal public consultation. No formal application has been submitted to date.
I am completely opposed to the proposed Moray Firth FLOW-Park. It is out of scale, out of character and, frankly, outrageous. It is a proposal that must be stopped. Thousands of people in Moray, Nairn and across the Highlands have already registered their opposition to it, and coastal communities and fishing leaders are particularly worried about the impact.
The Scottish Fishermen’s Federation recently quoted a local fisherman who said:
“Should these flow parks go ahead, the Moray Firth fishing industry will be finished for good.”
Elspeth MacDonald, the chief executive of the Scottish Fishermen’s Federation, said,
“How can this be allowed to happen? ... How can the people whose livelihoods are at stake not even be consulted on this? Why is there so little regard for people who risk their lives to produce food?”
I know that the cabinet secretary cannot give an opinion on whether she supports or opposes developments such as this, but will she reiterate that there is significant public opposition already, and that, if that continues throughout the planning process, the views of everyone who is rightly opposed to the Moray Firth FLOW-Park will be not only listened to, but heard and actioned?
I have already outlined the processes that take place once an application is made. That project is in the early stages, as I have said, and the exclusivity agreements awarded by the Crown Estate Scotland to the developer allow potential development to be explored through site surveys. Local engagement by the developer with stakeholders, including consideration of potential impacts on the fishing industry, is actively encouraged. Any specific proposal that is taken forward beyond the early stages will be subject to relevant required regulatory processes. Those processes require consultation with the public and relevant stakeholders, which of course includes the fishing sector, to assess the potential impacts, and they will all be taken into account.
Although the proposed FLOW-Park is not within the nearby Cromarty Firth freeport, it is clearly being driven by the industrial expansion that freeports enable. How does the Scottish Government justify supporting developments that risk displacing local jobs in fishing, tourism and nature conservation while creating ecological impacts that extend far beyond their boundaries?
Ariane Burgess talked about Scottish Government support, but the proposal has not even reached the Scottish Government yet with regard to consent. As I said, it is at an early stage. She might be referring to the fact that Scottish Enterprise has provided grant funding to the temporary storage floating offshore wind project, TS-Flow—a joint industry project that is led by the Offshore Solutions Group and HR Wallingford.
The grant funding for the TS-Flow project is for the detailed design, environmental and technical feasibility studies to identify appropriate wet storage locations. It has identified four sites, with the Moray Firth FLOW-Park selected through that initial phase of work. That grant funding was awarded due to the importance of wet storage for the efficient build-out of floating offshore wind and the economic opportunity that it brings to Scotland, but it does not pre-empt any decisions on applications.
Wildfire Summit
To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on any outcomes and key actions agreed at the recent wildfire summit that will contribute to Scotland’s climate adaptation and resilience strategies. (S6O-05086)
The Scottish Government will provide information on the outcomes and key actions in due course. That will utilise feedback gathered at the recent wildfire summit, alongside the debriefs hosted by the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service and other public agencies. It is a priority for the Scottish Government to improve our preparedness for wildfires in the future, with a key focus on prevention. We will shortly host an MSP round-table event to allow MSPs to feed back any information that is not already captured.
Will the minister outline how the Scottish Government will work with specialist Scottish businesses, including those in my constituency, such as Fire Fogging Systems, which provides expertise in fire systems, to ensure that it plays a clear and active role in delivering the outcomes of the wildfire summit?
The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service and its partners understand that wildfire response is a unique challenge in firefighting. It requires close collaboration with landowners, specialist companies such as the ones that the member mentioned, and non-governmental organisations. Although the SFRS must retain command and control of firefighting operations, we recognise the importance of strengthening support for the SFRS and the land management sector.
Our goal is to build a Scotland wildfires resilience network. To achieve that, we are actively exploring all opportunities, including engaging with organisations, individuals and businesses that are already operating in Scotland to help deliver the outcomes of the wildfire summit and enhance Scotland’s resilience in the fact of the growing threat of wildfires.
2026 Commonwealth Games (Public Transport)
To ask the Scottish Government whether it will engage with Transport Scotland, ScotRail, First Glasgow, McGill’s Buses and Strathclyde Partnership for Transport regarding the possible introduction of free public transport across Glasgow for those attending the 2026 Commonwealth games. (S6O-05087)
The Scottish Government regularly engages with Transport Scotland, which is a key partner on the transport working group that is chaired by the organising company for the event, Glasgow 2026 Ltd. Glasgow 2026 Ltd is responsible for the event and the transport plan, and it is clear that free public transport will not be provided. Active travel will be the prioritised mode of transport for spectators and client groups. The main method for passenger transport will be chartered coaches, public transport buses, subway and existing rail routes.
I had the opportunity to meet the chief executive of Glasgow 2026 Ltd last week and it was made clear that further development of the transport plan would be welcome. It is rather disappointing that the Government is not minded to consider free public transport.
Last week, the first batch of half a million tickets for the games went on sale, with thousands of fans from Scotland and across the world securing the opportunity to witness unforgettable sporting moments over 11 days next summer. With fans travelling from venue to venue to see the world’s top athletes, it is right that Glasgow should put its best foot forward. We will have 3,000 volunteers, 3,000 athletes and, potentially, half a million spectators.
We provided free public transport for the 2014 games and, in 2021, for the 26th United Nations climate change conference of the parties—COP26. Surely, then, the minister should, in tandem with the transport providers, explore all options to introduce temporary free public transport and, indeed, integrate the active travel opportunity of the e-bikes that have been introduced to Glasgow. Let us look at that and try to put our best foot forward. There is still time to move on it.
As I said, the Government is not responsible for transport at the games; Glasgow 2026 Ltd has that responsibility and it will be up to that organisation, in close consultation with Transport Scotland, to decide how it will take the plan forward.
Question 7 was not lodged.
Energy Infrastructure Projects (Objections)
To ask the Scottish Government what powers local communities will have to raise objections in relation to new energy infrastructure projects. (S6O-05089)
Members of the public can submit representations about onshore electricity infrastructure to Scottish ministers either virtually or by post. Applications for generating stations with a capacity of 50MW or less are made to local planning authorities, which have similar arrangements in place.
Representations received by the Scottish Government are treated in the same manner, provided that they meet the requirements, as set out on our website. All material considerations raised in representations are carefully considered before any decision is reached. Submitting a representation remains the most effective means for local communities to provide their views on an application.
I thank the cabinet secretary for that response. However, there is little confidence in the process. The Kendoon to Tongland 132kV reinforcement project has led to serious concerns among local communities, landowners and environmental stakeholders. It is vital that all ministerial engagements on matters that controversial are conducted transparently, in line with the Scottish ministerial code.
With that in mind, reports suggest that a meeting may have taken place between Alasdair Allan, the then Acting Minister for Climate Action, and officials on 7 February 2025, yet no formal record has been published. Given the importance of transparency and decision making on major infrastructure projects, particularly when local democracy has been dismissed and the recommendations of an independent report overturned, will the cabinet secretary commit to publishing any briefing notes, correspondence or records relating to that meeting, so that the public can be assured that the ministerial code has been upheld?
As with all matters relating to the ministerial code, I will take that away and get advice on what has and has not been published. However, I know that it is not appropriate for me to comment on any decisions on any particular application.
The cabinet secretary will know that more than 10,000 objections have been submitted to the Kintore to Tealing overhead line consultation. Surely she now realises that, after cosying up to Scottish and Southern Electricity Networks, her playing the role of judge, jury and executioner with that plan and determination makes a mockery of our planning and consultation system. She still refuses to meet campaign groups but continues to engage with SSEN, so will she refer herself to the First Minister’s independent advisers on the ministerial code for them to investigate?
The Scottish ministerial code is clear on the need for ministers to observe caution on engaging with individuals or groups in relation to specific planning applications or decisions. There are established routes for constituents and community groups to make their views on developments known.
The Scottish Government is working with the UK Government by way of the UK Planning and Infrastructure Bill—[Interruption.]
Mr Lumsden, please allow the cabinet secretary to respond to the question.
The Scottish Government is working with the UK Government by way of its Planning and Infrastructure Bill to further strengthen pre-application consultation and engagement. Any meetings that ministers have with network companies cover a range of subjects, with very strict instructions to those companies that no discussions will be had on future or existing planning applications.
That concludes portfolio questions on climate action, energy and transport. There will be a short pause before we move on to the next item of business.
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Parliamentary Bureau MotionsAir adhart
Natural Environment (Scotland) Bill: Stage 1