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As noted in the response to question S6W-28686, the Scottish Government is progressing work to develop a bracken mapping layer for Scotland. Officials are liaising with NatureScot and Natural England. The intention is that the map will complement a wider Bracken Strategic Framework, which is being developed for the UK, to aid decision making. There are a number of limitations to be worked through and therefore I am unable to give an indication of timing at this stage. I would be happy to provide an update to the Rural Affairs and Islands Committee in due course.

All potential schemes and projects on the trunk road network, including those intended for the A90 trunk road, are screened for environmental effects by environmental specialists. A record of the assessment is prepared which includes the mitigations to be implemented that will remove or minimise the environmental impact.

The assessment process ensures that legislative requirements are met, and best practice implemented to keep environmental effects to an absolute minimum.

During the construction phase, monitoring of environmental mitigations is undertaken. This will include on-site surveys, inspections, and audits.

Spectrum allocation and management, as with all aspects of telecommunications policy, is a reserved matter and one in which the Scottish Government has no formal role.

The Scottish Government, however, maintains an active interest in the spectrum policy agenda, in particular, as it relates to digital connectivity and digital infrastructure rollout in rural areas.

Responsibility for spectrum allocation and management falls under the remit of Ofcom, the UK telecoms regulator. The Scottish Government has regular engagement with Ofcom at official and Ministerial levels. We also respond to any major consultations on spectrum strategy.

Our response to Ofcom’s 2022 discussion papers on mobile and spectrum policy can be found on Ofcom’s website at the following link:

https://www.ofcom.org.uk/siteassets/resources/documents/consultations/category-3-4-weeks/232316-meeting-future-demand-for-mobile-data/responses/scottish-government/?v=200806.

This response outlines the Scottish Government’s priorities in relation to spectrum. We continue to encourage Ofcom to consider the specific needs and characteristics of Scotland, Scottish geographies and Scottish markets when making decisions on spectrum and how these decisions subsequently impact 4G and 5G coverage in rural and underserved areas; commercial investment in digital infrastructure in rural and underserved areas; and, the development of 5G and other advanced wireless technologies in Scotland.

The training provided to Police Scotland Officers in responding to incidents involving unexploded ordnance is an operational policing decision for the Chief Constable, under the scrutiny of the Scottish Police Authority

It is for the Chief Constable, working with the working with the Scottish Police Authority, to determine how to allocate its budget to meet policing priorities including the provision of all necessary training. The Scottish Government is providing record police funding of £1.55 billion this year – an increase of £92.7 million.

You may wish to write directly to Police Scotland on this matter.

It is for each of Scotland’s 32 Local Authorities and the individual emergency services to allocate resources to areas of priority and need. Decisions on operational matters are for the individual services and Local Authorities to consider and action. You may wish to contact them directly to establish how incidents involving unexploded wartime military ordnance are managed.

I refer the member to the answer to the question S6W-33028 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

It is for the Chief Constable, working with the working with the Scottish Police Authority, to determine how to allocate its budget to meet policing priorities including incidences involving unexploded wartime military ordnance.

You may wish to write directly to Police Scotland on this matter.

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 -

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.

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