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Our Operating Companies are required to undertake a series of activities aimed at improving journey time reliability by minimising the risk of disruption to the operation of the trunk road network.

To minimise disruption, we programme work to take place during quieter periods whenever possible. Due to the strategic importance of Scotland’s trunk road network, our Operating Companies are required to minimise the potential disruption and inconvenience to road users caused by essential maintenance by planning works, combining activities and coordinating with all stakeholders, including statutory undertakers (e.g. utilities and telecoms companies). We also continue to demonstrate a strong ethos in the communication of timely and consistent information on upcoming road works. Engagement includes advertising road works where there is an impact on road users via a number of mediums including social media platforms, radio adverts, email alerts, media releases and where practicable leaflet drops for high impact schemes.

Transport Scotland is responsible for managing the Traffic Scotland service which enables the collection and distribution of real-time traffic information relating to incidents and events taking place on the Scottish trunk road network. The Traffic Scotland website (Traffic Scotland | Trunk road traffic updates & route planner) provides up-to-date information on current and planned road works, and advance warnings are also displayed to road users on variable message signs. We also work closely with the Scottish Road Works Commissioner, established to oversee the planning and coordination of works on Scotland’s roads by all roads authorities and statutory undertakers.

Delays are continuously monitored on the Trunk Road Network. Any delays exceeding 12 minutes are reported to Transport Scotland who then communicate delays through their various public access systems

I refer the member to the answer to the question S6W-33099 on 22 January 2025. All answers to written Parliamentary Questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at https://www.parliament.scot/chamber-and-committees/written-questions-and-answers

Our contractors have upgraded or replaced 227 street lights on the A90 trunk road over the last five years.

There is a total of 2,297 street lights on the A90 broken down by local authority area as follows:

Aberdeenshire Council - 637

Aberdeen City Council - 154

Angus Council - 405

Dundee City Council - 474

Edinburgh City Council - 411

Fife Council - 41

Perth & Kinross Council - 175

Justice of the peace courts deal with less serious summary crimes such as speeding, careless driving and breach of the peace. Being a Justice of the Peace is a voluntary role that is filled by lay people from within the local community who receive training in criminal law and procedure. They are assisted by lawyers who can provide advice on the law and procedure.

These courts help improve the overall efficiency of the justice system as they reduce the number of cases that need to be considered at Summary Sheriff level (the next most senior court). Justice of the Peace cases are also less expensive to run than Summary Sheriff cases saving public money which can be spent elsewhere in the justice system. Additionally, by hearing less serious criminal cases in a Justice of the Peace Court this helps prevent backlogs in the Sheriff courts.

To inform funding decisions, all projects supported by Transport Scotland are required to follow our standard Business Case process, including the Scottish Transport Appraisal Guidance (STAG). Identified options for Transport Scotland investment are assessed against national and relevant regional economic development strategies to ensure alignment. Options are also assessed against Transport Planning Objectives (TPOs) and the standard STAG criteria. The standard STAG criteria include Economy as well as Climate Change, Environment, Health, Safety and Wellbeing and Equality and Accessibility.

All major transport projects are appraised and evaluated in line with the Scottish Public Finance Manual and Scottish Transport Appraisal Guidance (STAG) which are consistent with HM Treasury Green Book guidance. The Green Book (Section 6.1) generally discourages the calculation of macroeconomic impacts (employment and GDP) and it is generally not possible to evaluate the macroeconomic impact of specific transport projects separately from general changes in the economy.

The following improvements have been made to laybys adjacent to the A90 carriageway to improve the trunk road network in the last five years:

2020-21

A90 Glamis SB Layby 0309 – Concrete Plinth for HGVS

A90 South Tarbrax SB Layby 0309 Concrete Plinth for HGVs

A90 Layby improvement scheme which included resurfacing and vehicle deterrent on entry and exit tapers at -

This question relates to operational matters that are the responsibility of the Scottish Court and Tribunals Service (SCTS) corporate body. The question has been passed to the Chief Executive of the SCTS who reply in writing within 20 days.

The Scottish Government published the second Strategic Transport Projects Review (STPR2) in December 2022. STPR2 prioritises maintaining and safely operating existing assets over targeted infrastructure improvements. STPR2 did not recommend any major upgrades to the A90 trunk road. Instead, Recommendation 30 noted that the A90 Perth to Aberdeen (excluding the A90 Kingsway through Dundee) as an example of locations for potential future road safety improvements. Separately, Recommendation 32, identified the proposal for an integrated transport plan to be developed for the A90 Kingsway through Dundee.

In addition, the Scottish Government remains committed to delivering a new grade-separated junction on the A90 at Laurencekirk as part of the package of additional investment alongside the Aberdeen City Region Deal.

Transport Scotland has been taking forward the necessary design and assessment work, and the project is currently going through the statutory authorisation process, having recently published supplementary draft Orders for formal comment.

As with all infrastructure projects, delivery of the Laurencekirk scheme can only commence when the relevant statutory authorisation powers to do so have been secured. Following completion of the statutory authorisation process we will then be in a position to set a timetable for delivery of the scheme in line with available budgets.