- Asked by: Margaret Jamieson, MSP for Kilmarnock and Loudoun, Scottish Labour
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Date lodged: Wednesday, 07 August 2002
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Current Status:
Answered by Lewis Macdonald on 5 September 2002
To ask the Scottish Executive how many people have now been identified as eligible for a share of the Scottish Transport Group Pension Fund schemes and whether this number is in excess of the planning figure of 17,000.
Answer
The Scottish Public Pensions Agency has identified 13,336 former members who will be eligible for a share of the surplus.
- Asked by: Margaret Jamieson, MSP for Kilmarnock and Loudoun, Scottish Labour
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Date lodged: Tuesday, 23 July 2002
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Current Status:
Answered by Lewis Macdonald on 22 August 2002
To ask the Scottish Executive what M77 hourly flows were used in the assessment of whether the design of the proposed M77/Glasgow South Orbital junction will have sufficient capacity on opening and after 15 years.
Answer
The peak hourly two-way flows predicted on the proposed M77 and the Glasgow Southern Orbital for assessment purposes, based on high traffic growth, are given in the following table:
| Link | 2005 | 2020 |
| am Peak | pm Peak | am Peak | pm Peak |
| M77 North of GSO | 3,021 | 3,024 | 3,590 | 3,516 |
| M77 South of GSO | 4,332 | 4,312 | 5,349 | 5,169 |
| GSO | 2,810 | 2,789 | 3,084 | 2,890 |
The initial design of the junction of the M77 and Glasgow Southern Orbital was based on the traffic forecasts from the Strathclyde Integrated Transport Model which has been used for various major road projects.Detailed design of the above junction will be undertaken by the Public Private Partnership Contractor and is required to provide sufficient capacity for the expected traffic volumes 15 years after opening of the joint project based on National Road Traffic Forecasts high growth levels.
- Asked by: Margaret Jamieson, MSP for Kilmarnock and Loudoun, Scottish Labour
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Date lodged: Tuesday, 23 July 2002
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Current Status:
Answered by Lewis Macdonald on 22 August 2002
To ask the Scottish Executive what the morning and afternoon peak hour weekday traffic flow on the A77 at Raithburn, Fenwick, has been in each of the last six months.
Answer
The latest available traffic flow data for the counter site at Raithburn, Fenwick, on the A77, show the average hourly weekday flow (two way) between 7 o'clock and 8 o'clock during the morning and 5 o'clock and 6 o'clock during the afternoon peak periods to be as follows:
| Month | Number of Vehicles |
| am Peak Flow | pm Peak Flow |
| January | 3,355 | 3397 |
| February | 3,760 | 3699 |
| March | 3,788 | 3870 |
| April | 3,621 | 3956 |
| May | 3,779 | 3937 |
| June | 3,598 | 3832 |
- Asked by: Margaret Jamieson, MSP for Kilmarnock and Loudoun, Scottish Labour
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Date lodged: Tuesday, 23 July 2002
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Current Status:
Answered by Hugh Henry on 20 August 2002
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has any plans to amend National Planning Policy Guideline 9 (NPPG9), particularly in respect of the minimum spacing distance between motorway service stations, and what action it would take if a local authority did not take NPPG9 into account in granting a planning application.
Answer
Following the Review of Strategic Planning the Scottish Executive announced that all National Planning Policy Guidelines (NPPGs) would be reviewed and renamed as Scottish Planning Policies (SPPs). The review of NPPG9 is scheduled for 2004.Sections 25 and 37(2) of the Town and Country Planning (Scotland) Act 1997 require that planning decisions be made in accordance with the development plan unless material considerations indicate otherwise. Planning authorities dealing with applications for roadside facilities should also consider the policy in NPPG9 as a material consideration.The Town and Country Planning (General Development Procedure) (Scotland) Order 1992 (as amended) requires that before granting or determining any application for planning permission in respect of creating a new Motorway Service Area (MSA) or a new development within the boundary of such an area, a planning authority shall consult the Scottish ministers.If a local authority grants planning permission for a MSA there is no presumption that the establishment will be signed from the motorway. This is a matter for the Scottish Executive as Trunk Road Authority. The authority is required to conclude a Signing Agreement with the MSA operator covering the level of services to be provided. Only in very exceptional circumstances will an agreement be concluded for an MSA which does not comply with the requirements laid down in NPPG9, including spacing.
- Asked by: Margaret Jamieson, MSP for Kilmarnock and Loudoun, Scottish Labour
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Date lodged: Monday, 05 August 2002
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Current Status:
Answered by Jim Wallace on 14 August 2002
To ask the Scottish Executive what provision is made for drug misusers who leave HM Prison Kilmarnock.
Answer
The Scottish Prison Service now has in place a contract with Cranstoun Drug Services (a charity working with voluntary sector organisations) to provide transitional support for a period of up to 12 weeks in the community following release. This enables linkage to community based provision.I would like to take this opportunity to correct a mistake during the closing speech on the Estates Review Debate on 18 April which may have led to confusion. Dr Richard Simpson stated "The health board will build a small health centre in Kilmarnock to deal with problem drug users who go out from Kilmarnock to the local community" (Col. 10993). He had in mind discussions with medical staff at Kilmarnock prison where it was suggested that one idea might be to build some small special community facility which could be accessed by ex-prisoners. He inferred that this was a firm proposal and although he stated in good faith what he understood to be the case at the time, it was incorrect. There are indeed no such plans at the present time.I understand that discussions have taken place between Ayrshire and Arran NHS Board representatives and clinical staff of HMP Kilmarnock to discuss various matters, including apparent problems released prisoners faced when endeavouring to access primary care services. I also gather a number of possible solutions were discussed but no decisions were taken apart from a commitment to further investigate how NHS Ayrshire and Arran could support HMP Kilmarnock.
- Asked by: Margaret Jamieson, MSP for Kilmarnock and Loudoun, Scottish Labour
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Date lodged: Friday, 28 June 2002
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Current Status:
Answered by Lewis Macdonald on 5 August 2002
To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-26635 by Lewis Macdonald on 25 June 2002, whether it will further improve safety measures to take account of recent accidents and the latest figures on traffic use of the Fenwick to Malletsheugh stretch prior to the completion of the scheduled upgrade of the A77.
Answer
Further to my previous answer, it has been agreed to take further action to highlight to drivers the dangers of excessive speed. Additional repeater speed restriction signs will be put in place, national speed limit signs will be replaced with 60 mph signs and mobile speed activated signs will be put in place at varying locations. Missing and damaged verge marker posts will be replaced. The police intend to increase enforcement activity including increased police patrols and the use of mobile speed cameras. "Police Speed Check" signs will also be erected advising drivers of the increased activity.
- Asked by: Margaret Jamieson, MSP for Kilmarnock and Loudoun, Scottish Labour
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Date lodged: Thursday, 13 June 2002
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Current Status:
Answered by Cathy Jamieson on 3 July 2002
To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-25917 by Cathy Jamieson on 29 May 2002, what action will be taken to evaluate the compliance with, and implementation of, attendance orders made under the Education (Scotland) Act 1980.
Answer
The Scottish Executive has no plans to evaluate compliance with, and implementation of, attendance orders made under the Education (Scotland) Act 1980.The implementation of the 36 recommendations of the Discipline Task Group Report Better Behaviour - Better Learning, along with other Scottish Executive initiatives, including the Scottish Schools Ethos Network, the Anti-Bullying Network, the Alternatives to Exclusion Programme, Support for Parents, Study Support and New Community Schools, will help ensure an effective learning environment for all pupils and impact positively on non-attendance at school.
- Asked by: Margaret Jamieson, MSP for Kilmarnock and Loudoun, Scottish Labour
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Date lodged: Tuesday, 11 June 2002
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Current Status:
Answered by Lewis Macdonald on 25 June 2002
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will ensure that the construction time taken to upgrade the Fenwick to Malletsheugh section of the A77 is reduced to the minimum amount necessary to secure the effective upgrading of that section of the road.
Answer
The Scottish Executive is tendering for the proposed upgrade as part of a joint PPP scheme with the Glasgow Southern Orbital. The construction programme for the joint project is demanding and includes proposed incentives to encourage the contractor to complete the M77 section of the joint scheme in its entirety, as early as possible.
- Asked by: Margaret Jamieson, MSP for Kilmarnock and Loudoun, Scottish Labour
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Date lodged: Tuesday, 11 June 2002
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Current Status:
Answered by Lewis Macdonald on 25 June 2002
To ask the Scottish Executive what action it will take to reduce the number of accidents on the A77 prior to the completion of the scheduled upgrade.
Answer
Extensive Route Accident Reduction Plans have been implemented on the A77 over a number of years. Recent measures to improve safety on the route between Kilmarnock and Malletsheugh have included the introduction of additional signing, road markings, safety fencing and skid-resistant surfacing.All these measures contribute to the general safety of the road although the situation will continue to be reviewed pending the completion of the proposed upgrade.
- Asked by: Margaret Jamieson, MSP for Kilmarnock and Loudoun, Scottish Labour
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Date lodged: Thursday, 13 June 2002
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Current Status:
Answered by Colin Boyd on 14 June 2002
To ask the Scottish Executive what stage it has reached in its roll-out of Victim Liaison Offices across Scotland.
Answer
I am pleased to say that today I am officially opening the first major operational Victim Information and Advice (VIA) Office in Glasgow. We are taking this opportunity to re-launch the Victim Liaison Office with a name which more accurately reflects the aims and objectives of the service. I should add that I will also formally welcome Ms Sue Moody as the first Director of VIA. Ms Moody will take forward VIA's focus on providing information to victims promptly and effectively.
