- Asked by: Kenny MacAskill, MSP for Lothians, Scottish National Party
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Date lodged: Thursday, 09 September 2004
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Current Status:
Answered by Nicol Stephen on 23 September 2004
To ask the Scottish Executive what access improvement projects it has supported, and is currently supporting, for train stations.
Answer
The Scottish Executive is funding works to improve access at specific points on the network in Scotland.
| Local Authority Area | Type of Works |
| Angus Council | Montrose footbridge, lifts at Arbroath |
| East Renfrewshire Council | Disabled access at: Williamwood Clarkston. Giffnock, Patterton, Thornliebank, Neilston, Whitecraigs and Barrhead |
| Fife Council | Footbridge at Inverkeithing, Markinch and Rosyth |
| South Lanarkshire Council | Access Ramp to platform from car park at Newton. |
| Dumfries and Galloway Council | Footbridge at Lockerbie |
In addition, access improvements are being supported by the Scottish Executive through funding awards to the regional transport partnerships and a station platform lengthening programme.
- Asked by: Kenny MacAskill, MSP for Lothians, Scottish National Party
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Date lodged: Thursday, 23 September 2004
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Current Status:
Awaiting answer
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it is its policy to deny a child resident in Scotland looked-after status when it has been granted leave to remain in the country under asylum and immigration legislation.
Answer
Awaiting answer
- Asked by: Kenny MacAskill, MSP for Lothians, Scottish National Party
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Date lodged: Wednesday, 08 September 2004
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Current Status:
Answered by Nicol Stephen on 23 September 2004
To ask the Scottish Executive what its most immediate transport infrastructure priorities are.
Answer
The key major transport infrastructure projects being given priority by the Scottish Executive are set out in the Transport White Paper Scotland’s Transport Future (published on 16 June 2004), available from the Scottish Parliament Reference Centre (Bib. number 33072).
- Asked by: Kenny MacAskill, MSP for Lothians, Scottish National Party
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Date lodged: Wednesday, 08 September 2004
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Current Status:
Answered by Nicol Stephen on 23 September 2004
To ask the Scottish Executive who will be responsible for future maintenance costs associated with the disabled access footbridge at Lockerbie rail station.
Answer
Provision for maintenance until the end of the current Office of the Rail Regulator control period will be included in the cost analysis that will be part of the project development work. A key consideration is that any additional infrastructure will require the maintenance and station long-term charge costs to be underwritten by others. This area will be explored in more detail during the project development work.
- Asked by: Kenny MacAskill, MSP for Lothians, Scottish National Party
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Date lodged: Wednesday, 08 September 2004
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Current Status:
Answered by Nicol Stephen on 23 September 2004
To ask the Scottish Executive what strategic benefits the Gourock interchange will deliver for railways in Scotland.
Answer
The Gourock Interchange project will enable rail, ferry, bus and taxi users to switch between travel modes in a modern purpose built environment.
- Asked by: Kenny MacAskill, MSP for Lothians, Scottish National Party
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Date lodged: Wednesday, 08 September 2004
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Current Status:
Answered by Nicol Stephen on 23 September 2004
To ask the Scottish Executive whether ScotRail will be eligible to apply for the Access for All fund, established by the Strategic Rail Authority to improve access at rail stations, and, if not, how the Executive will support access improvements to stations.
Answer
The Access for All fund will be prioritised on a British National basis. I understand that the Strategic Rail Authority intend to publish a consultation paper in November that will cover the scope for applications to be made to the Access for All fund as well as the criteria for prioritising stations.
- Asked by: Kenny MacAskill, MSP for Lothians, Scottish National Party
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Date lodged: Wednesday, 08 September 2004
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Current Status:
Answered by Nicol Stephen on 23 September 2004
To ask the Scottish Executive what funds it expects to receive following Her Majesty’s Government’s rail review and whether these funds will be allocated from the budget of the Strategic Rail Authority or the Department of Transport.
Answer
As part of the Review of the Railways, the UK Government intends that greater responsibility for railways in Scotland will transfer to Scottish ministers.
The changes, outlined in the UK Government Future of Rail White Paper, remain subject to agreement on a fair and appropriate transfer of resources from the UK Government to the Scottish Executive.
- Asked by: Kenny MacAskill, MSP for Lothians, Scottish National Party
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Date lodged: Wednesday, 08 September 2004
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Current Status:
Answered by Nicol Stephen on 23 September 2004
To ask the Scottish Executive what involvement it has in the current rollout of Global System for Mobile Telecommunication (GSM-R) masts.
Answer
GSM-R is primarily a rail safety matter – and therefore reserved. It is intended to improve communication between train drivers and signallers. The programme’s implementation is a matter for Network Rail, due to its responsibility for railway infrastructure and the safe and efficient operation of the rail network. The Scottish Executive is aware of the significant concern about some of the mast sites and will continue to monitor the situation and make appropriate representations to Network Rail.
- Asked by: Kenny MacAskill, MSP for Lothians, Scottish National Party
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Date lodged: Wednesday, 08 September 2004
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Current Status:
Answered by Nicol Stephen on 23 September 2004
To ask the Scottish Executive what progress is being made with the delivery of the Gourock interchange.
Answer
We understand that Inverclyde Council and Network Rail, as the main parties, have made progress in agreeing outline development and design proposals for the Gourock transport interchange.
- Asked by: Kenny MacAskill, MSP for Lothians, Scottish National Party
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Date lodged: Wednesday, 08 September 2004
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Current Status:
Answered by Nicol Stephen on 23 September 2004
To ask the Scottish Executive what criteria were applied in the provision of funding for the disabled access footbridge at Lockerbie rail station.
Answer
The decision by the Scottish Executive to make available funding of up to £750,000 for a new footbridge at Lockerbie rail station, allowing disabled access to the southbound platform, was taken largely because of the station’s isolation within the rail network, and the infrequency of stopping passenger services. Passengers with disabilities who cannot access the existing footbridge at Lockerbie must make a return journey of an additional 50 miles to Carlisle, which has obvious significant impacts on both length of journey and the times of day when such a journey can be made.
