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The Mobility and Access Committee for Scotland (MACS) wrote to Transport Scotland in March 2022 expressing their desire that no Ministerial Directions be given on which type of pavement can be considered by local authorities for an Exemption Order. We sought to allay their concerns during a meeting between MACS and the Minister for Transport on 15 June 2022 and a further meeting with the policy lead of MACS and Transport Scotland.

During these meetings we confirmed that exemptions had already been the subject of Parliamentary debate during the passage of the Transport (Scotland) Act 2019. We also confirmed that Ministerial Directions will not allow for blanket exemptions of streets from the National pavement parking prohibitions and will set out scenarios where local authorities may be able to consider an exemption. Exemptions will only be considered in exceptional circumstances and will not be the norm. Any such exemptions will require to be clearly marked by signs and lines on the ground so that a driver can be in no doubt where pavement parking is permitted.

Additionally, we are currently finalising the wording of the Ministerial Directions to take account of any issues raised in the public consultation.

As with all trunk road improvement projects, delivery of any section of the A96 Programme can only commence if approved under the relevant statutory procedures and thereafter a timetable for progress can be set in line with available budgets. The statutory right for individuals to have their say on our proposals cannot be set aside and it is essential that vital feedback is taken into account as we develop our plans.

As advised at the recent Scottish Parliament debate on Essential Road Improvements held on 02 November 2022, the first part of the review, a report on the Public Consultation and the Initial Appraisal: The Case for Change will be published by the end of the year.

NatureScot is the lead organisation for non-native species on land including wetlands and riparian zones. They lead on riverbank vegetation and all land animals (vertebrates and invertebrates). Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) take the lead in the freshwater environment (still and flowing). Scottish Forestry and Forestry and Land Scotland take the lead on woodland and other habitats on the national forest estate. In many cases, fisheries trusts have taken the lead on co-ordinated action on riverine INNS such as giant hogweed.

As with all devolved matters, the Scottish Ministers make the final decision on investment in the transport network.

The cost of the Air Traffic Management 2030 Strategy project was £9,963,937.

The following table provides the information requested in relation to capital allocations. For completeness, HIAL Head Office figures are also included. Figures include both grant and loan funding.

National Park Authorities are committed to conserving and enhancing natural heritage within Scotland’s National Parks and their decision making has been guided by the National Park aims set out in the National Parks (Scotland) 2000 Act and the principle set out in section 9 (6) of the Act. As an example of success in conserving and enhancing the natural heritage in the Cairngorms, over 5000ha of new woodland has been established over the last 5 years of which 96% is native and over half by regeneration.

The Scottish Government launched a public consultation in May to look at what people value about National Parks in Scotland and what they should deliver in future – in particular how they can help to protect and restore nature, tackle climate change and promote sustainable land use. This has been followed by a second consultation – organised by NatureScot – on the approach to National Parks in Scotland and the selection criteria for new National Parks. This consultation seeks views on section 9(6) of the Act, how it is applied and whether it is fit for purpose.

This is a matter for CMAL or the University of Strathclyde. The information requested is not held centrally.

Transport Scotland has no plans to establish a freight-only service. We understand that there are commercial operators who have considered such a proposal and it would be for them to consider further. Were a commercial operator to provide any specific proposal for the route, then future deployment and timetables would be reviewed for the Clyde & Hebrides Ferry Service Islay route.

The Scottish Government meets with the whisky sector regularly to discuss current issues. We recognise the important contribution that Scotch Whisky industry makes to the Scottish economy.

Scottish Ministers are investing in the Islay route with the construction of two purpose-built vessels underway, providing a combined 40% increase in vehicle and freight capacity on the Islay routes.