Fiona Hyslop
Scottish National Party · Scotland
“Our experience of ScotRail and the Caledonian Sleeper coming into public ownership is that greater accountability to ministers results in better outcomes for passengers. Public ownership has allowed for significant benefits to passengers, such as the scrapping of peak fares.”
“GBR will also deliver passenger services that are currently the responsibility of the Secretary of State for Transport. The Scottish ministers will retain their current devolved responsibilities, including securing the provision of ScotRail and the Caledonian Sleeper and specifying and funding rail infrastructure in Scotland.”
“As colleagues know, I have consistently advocated for full devolution of Scotland’s railways to better integrate track and train. Unfortunately, the UK Government is not willing to pursue that change at this time.”
“I support the policy intent of the bill, in particular its ambition to maximise the benefits of greater integration while respecting devolved arrangements. The Scottish Government supports open access and freight development and the LCM is about devolved responsibilities.”
“I thank all those who have been on the journey with me: parliamentary and constituency staff; members from all parties; and, of course, the people of Scotland, with their hopes and dreams of a Scotland that is fair and just for all and is the country that they know it can be.”
“From speaking to drivers across my Lothian region, who are spending hours of their time caught up in traffic every month, I know that there is growing frustration that we have not seen work begin on that upgrade. I welcome the answer that the cabinet secretary outlined to Parliament.”
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“However, I agree with the member that the central issue is that the public must not treat our public sector workers—including our railway workers, as he has set out—in a way that causes them harm, either through assault or through criminal behaviour. We need British Transport Police to take action, and we need proper funding.”
“On the funding of British Transport Police, the member is best to direct his attention to the UK Labour Government and, as I have done, to the British Transport Police board, whose decisions have not been positive for Scotland. They are the ones who have closed the offices, and, along with my colleagues and the rail operators, I am trying to see what we can do to rectify what I think is the wrong decision. Rail safety teams are expanding, as is the use of body-worn cameras. The 11 measures recommended by the working group, including exploring the potential for primary legislation to create a railway banning order, the work on antisocial behaviour orders and the work on fixed- penalty notices will provide greater protection.”
“Securing stronger legal protections for public transport workers through the creation of a stand- alone offence is essential, but rail workers are telling me that what we also need is an end to driver-only operated trains, an end to the practice of lone working, a reversal of the cuts to staffing at ticket offices and in stations and a reversal of the cuts to British Transport Police. Will the cabinet secretary restore funding, restore staffing and back the demand of RMT’s action against assaults campaign for a stand-alone offence to be a priority for the next Scottish Government? Fiona Hyslop: Richard Leonard will know from his membership of the RMT that issues around driver-only trains particularly apply to the rest of the UK and that we have a policy in place with ScotRail.”
“Legislation to enable the suspension of access to the national concessionary travel scheme for those who behave inappropriately on buses is also advancing, supported by bus operators, who view that as an important step to improve driver and passenger safety. I have also raised funding concerns directly with the British Transport Police, and my officials are exploring options to support greater visibility and safety of policing across Scotland’s railway. Richard Leonard: I thank the cabinet secretary for that comprehensive answer. Let us turn to the facts. There has been a 43 per cent annual increase in assaults on workers on Scotland’s railways. Two thirds of rail workers have experienced workplace violence, 90 per cent of them multiple times.”
“The safety of public transport workers is a priority for the Scottish Government. The rail enforcement powers working group has published its report, which aims to improve safety for passengers and staff, and I recently accepted all its recommendations. We are already progressing several of those recommendations. Subject to parliamentary approval, secondary legislation will seek to increase the level of antisocial behaviour fixed penalty notices and widen the scope of offences covered to include the offence of threatening or abusive behaviour. I recently met National Union of Rail, Maritime and Transport Workers general secretary Eddie Dempsey, who was very positive about our approach and expressed a wish to see similar progress across the United Kingdom.”
“The Elgin bypass is most definitely on the agenda, but we are doing things in a progressive way and when funding is available. The member will know that, after 14 years of austerity and continued fiscal challenges, securing funding for the A96 from the budget and the comprehensive spending review has been one of my achievements, on top of securing other funding for major roads, such as the A9 dualling. The Deputy Presiding Officer: Question 5 has been withdrawn. Public Transport Workers (Safety from Assault) 6.”
“There will be funding in the budget for the ground works for Inshes to Smithton and the Nairn bypass next year. Funding will also be provided for construction on those two sections—Inshes to Smithton for 2028-29 and the Nairn bypass for 2029-30. It is clear that the Government’s commitment is to improve the wider A96, and that commitment is unwavering. We want to see the A96 dualled, but the next steps—it is moving in the right direction— are to continue to progress improvements eastwards, including taking forward an Elgin bypass, which will include further route development and preparatory considerations. Douglas Ross will be aware that there are different views on the best approach, although work has been done to date.”
“If that is the last time that the cabinet secretary travelled on the A96 in her ministerial capacity, it is shameful and shocking, because that road is getting worse. More people are dying, more accidents are occurring, and the entire length between Inverness and Aberdeen needs to be fully dualled. We heard again in the answer about the Nairn bypass and other parts. We very rarely hear about Moray, although the minister mentioned Elgin and Keith. When will the Moray sections of the A96 be fully dualled, and when will the road be completed to dual standard, as was promised by the Scottish National Party? Fiona Hyslop: It is important that I reference the Nairn event, because one of the requests there was to advance the Nairn bypass as one of the early and stand-alone sections. That was done in direct response to requests that were made.”
“Ministerial journeys are published quarterly in the proactive release. Routes taken by drivers are the most appropriate for the journey and are not captured in detail. I have travelled the A96 on many occasions, both in a ministerial and a personal capacity, and I have heard directly from those who rely on that vital route, including at the Nairn bypass event that I attended and at numerous other north and north-east engagements that I have attended in Inverness and Aberdeen. I am fully aware of the challenges and the reality of living with a trunk road such as the A96 cutting through the heart of towns such as Nairn, Elgin and Keith. Douglas Ross: The Nairn bypass event was almost two years ago.”
“Greenfaulds station has seen a growth in patronage, and passengers there will be able to benefit from the cross-border service on the Stirling to London Euston route. Passengers travelling from Croy enjoy a frequent, fast and reliable service, which is supported by the Scottish Government’s investment in removing peak fares for good and by our announcement that we are freezing ScotRail fares for a year from April. The Presiding Officer: That concludes general question time. Before we move to First Minister’s question time, I invite members to join me in welcoming to the gallery the Hon Todd Goudy MLA, who is the Speaker of the Legislative Assembly of Saskatchewan. [Applause.] First Minister’s Question Time 12:01 Justice System (Death of Keith Rollinson) 1.”
“Jamie Hepburn: Since the removal of peak rail fares, there has been a very welcome increase in rail usage from Croy railway station, which is in my constituency. However, that has exacerbated car parking pressures on the site. Will the cabinet secretary set out what support there might be for exploring an expansion of car parking there and for encouraging more use of services on the Cumbernauld line, given that there is an underutilised car park at Greenfaulds railway station? Fiona Hyslop: There is currently no investment to expand the car park facilities at Croy, and it does not feature in our plans. However, a route exists for the business case to be submitted by third- party promoters, such as regional transport partnerships or local authorities.”
“Transport Scotland undertook an evaluation of the pilot scheme for the removal of peak fares in August 2024. It surveyed passengers and found that 80 per cent of respondents were making more trips by rail, and around three quarters of those people suggested that the primary reason was the pilot. Work is under way to evaluate the long-term effects of removing peak fares for good, and we expect to be able to share initial findings once the policy has been in place for at least six months. What is certain is that the removal of ScotRail peak fares for good is saving money for hundreds of thousands of people in Scotland who travel by rail. In Jamie Hepburn’s constituency, passengers travelling from Cumbernauld or Croy to Glasgow save around £4 each time they purchase a return ticket to travel during the busiest commuter times.”
“Public Transport (Partnerships and Franchising) 5.”
“The member will be aware that non-binding heads of terms were agreed in principle between the two parties only a few weeks ago. When I met the chief executive officer of Caledonian Maritime Assets Ltd this morning, he confirmed that the engagement with Peel Ports is on-going and remains positive. A range and suite of documents will be required for the potential purchase agreement, which is now close to being finalised. There is work for Transport Scotland and Scottish Government teams to do, and I have expressed to them my need to have their advice as promptly as possible. Rather than using the word “hurdles”, I would say that there are some necessary steps to go through, including those covering legal subsidy and the financial aspects of the overall deal, in order to allow transactions to conclude.”
“Kenneth Gibson: I greatly appreciate the cabinet secretary’s commitment to securing the purchase and I understand the many complexities involved. Nevertheless, next Thursday, it will be a year to the day since she announced the intention to buy Ardrossan harbour, and the matter has still not been settled, although a price and heads of terms were agreed some time ago. The cabinet secretary will appreciate that my Ardrossan and Arran constituents remain deeply frustrated. Will she advise what specific hurdles remain and how soon they will be overcome, so that she can achieve her ambition of ensuring that the purchase is concluded prior to the dissolution of Parliament? Fiona Hyslop: I acknowledge the on-going frustrations that are felt by local communities, but negotiations take time.”
“As was stated to Parliament on 8 January, we are progressing the required review of legal, commercial and subsidy considerations based on the non-binding draft heads of terms. The matter remains complex and commercially sensitive, and our focus is on achieving purchase with a clean title and final sale and asset transfer. As was indicated to the Net Zero, Energy and Transport Committee last week, we expect the purchase deal to be concluded in advance of the dissolution of Parliament for the election. However, the final decision remains subject to the consideration of any associated risks, as well as to legal and subsidy control requirements. I will continue to keep Parliament updated on progress at the appropriate stages.”
“Electrification will bring big changes to Fife services. The Deputy Presiding Officer: I remind members always to speak through the chair. We have a number of supplementary questions. I will try to take them all, but they must be brief.”
“There was a particular issue in September last year, but the situation varies from month to month. Investment, particularly in engineering works, has improved the passenger experience and reduced the number of incidents, but I know that short- formed running can cause distress and concern whenever it happens. The reason why you heard a similar answer is that, as I just said, the procurement of future rail services is taking place according to plan. Current improvements to high-speed trains will make a difference. I have been talking about the May 2026 timeframe for some time, and it is closer now. There is clearly frustration for Murdo Fraser and for Annabelle Ewing, who has also consistently raised the issue. I understand that and I hope that I can give you assurance that an end is in sight and improvements are coming.”
“Murdo Fraser: I have been raising that issue for years and the situation never gets better. We had short-formed trains running just yesterday on the Fife to Edinburgh service. I have been promised for years that the situation is going to get better, but it never does. I last raised this question on 16 January last year, when the cabinet secretary’s response was more or less word for word what she has just told me. She said: “I absolutely sympathise with the situation, which is not acceptable for passengers.”—[Official Report, 16 January 2025; c 46.] She is right that this is not acceptable for passengers, so could she please tell my constituents in Fife when the situation will get better? Fiona Hyslop: I hope that the member will acknowledge that there have been improvements.”
“I fully appreciate that the short-forming of some trains has been impacting passengers travelling on services between Fife and Edinburgh for some time. The reliability of the ageing fleet that serves Fife can affect its availability for services, and ScotRail usually chooses to operate a shorter train instead of cancelling a service altogether. To rectify those issues in the longer term, we are investing in replacing the trains that serve Fife and in electrification of the line, which will bring significant benefits to the area. In the meantime, ScotRail is undertaking a programme of improvement works on its high-speed trains, which will conclude in May 2026. Those improvements are expected to have a positive impact on the availability of trains serving passengers in Fife.”
“Such a business case would have to be assessed across a number of factors to address any problems that are identified.”
“Gordon MacDonald: Parking at Curriehill railway station in my constituency has reached capacity at peak times. What investment is planned for rail park-and-ride facilities that are accessible to Pentlands constituents? Fiona Hyslop: The capacity issue is evidence of the popularity of rail travel in the member’s constituency. I think that Curriehill station is owned by Network Rail and managed through leasing with ScotRail. I am not aware of Network Rail’s or ScotRail’s plans in that area. That issue does not feature directly in the Scottish Government’s plans and there is no funding allocation for it. However, the Scottish Government remains open to considering business cases that are submitted by third-party promoters such as the South East of Scotland Transport Partnership to address identified transport issues in their area.”
“In 2026-27, the transport portfolio will invest nearly £4.3 billion to maintain and enhance Scotland’s transport network. That includes record investment of £2.7 billion in public transport to fund bus and rail services, concessionary travel for more than 2.4 million people and lifeline ferry and air services. Our investment will support new ferries, port upgrades and the replacement of ScotRail’s intercity fleet. We are piloting a bus fare cap across the majority of the Highlands and Islands, have removed ScotRail peak rail fares for good and intend to remove peak fares for islanders who use northern isles ferry services. We will invest £1.2 billion to maintain and improve the trunk road network. We will progress major projects such as dualling of the A9 and the A96 and enhance road safety to reduce injuries and fatalities.”
“Through the fund and its predecessor, the Scottish ultra-low-emission bus scheme, the Scottish Government has supported the deployment of around 800 zero-emission buses and associated charging infrastructure. ScotZEB has leveraged £3.20 for every £1 of public investment. Scotland currently has more than double the proportion of its public sector bus fleet operating at zero emissions that England, outside of London, has, which demonstrates the impact of that investment. Moray FLOW-Park Project 5.”
“David Torrance: Scottish zero emission bus challenge funding of £680,000 has supported the introduction of six zero-emission electric buses in Kirkcaldy. Those vehicles are helping to reduce transport emissions, improve local air quality and support progress towards Scotland’s net zero ambitions. What assessment have ministers made of the role of ScotZEB in accelerating progress towards Scotland’s net zero targets? Fiona Hyslop: The Scottish zero emission bus challenge fund has played a significant role in accelerating Scotland’s progress towards net zero by supporting the rapid decarbonisation of the bus sector to zero emissions. It has supported the demonstration of new business models, reducing the need for taxpayer subsidy, and the development of charging infrastructure to help vehicle decarbonisation in the future more generally.”
“Significant Scottish Government investment is supporting a range of measures to deliver sustainable transport improvements across Fife, which are helping to advance national net zero targets. That includes continued investment in active travel, with more than 14km of new pathways, including the river park routes project in Leven, the delivery of the Levenmouth rail link and national cycle network route 76 between Earlsferry and Anstruther. That is complemented by bus infrastructure investment in Mr Torrance’s constituency of Kirkcaldy, as well as Dunfermline city station enhancements, public electric vehicle charging and place-based projects that encourage modal shift. Those investments sit alongside wider public transport enhancements to improve connectivity and reduce emissions across the region.”
“If the member’s constituents were to come here and I had permission to meet them, that might be possible; however, I am often not in Edinburgh but elsewhere, because when I can do so, I get out and about across Scotland. If the member wants to follow up in writing about particular concerns, I will see what locus Transport Scotland has to engage more directly and practically. However, I do understand that the needs of communities must be understood. The Deputy Presiding Officer: I will need shorter responses, cabinet secretary. Sustainable Transport (Fife) 4.”
“Highland Council is responsible for the local roads and local impacts. I understand that there are issues in relation to some of the trunk roads. The member asked about wide and abnormal loads on trunk roads, which would come to Transport Scotland for consent; we understand that one such application has been made, and Transport Scotland will respond in due course to Highland Council’s request. As for meeting the member’s constituents to discuss local roads and the local impact of the conditions set by the independent Highland Council, I am not sure how appropriate it would be for me to do that. I get requests all the time to visit lots of communities all over Scotland, and the member can understand that that is not possible.”
“Of course, they are already busy routes for local cars and lorries, but now there is the prospect of a series of large loads operating along the routes, with all the delays and dangers that they might bring, and those who live alongside these roads and those who use them regularly are worried. Last month, despite my invitation, the cabinet secretary would not agree to come to the Highlands and hear from local communities impacted by those projects. If my constituents come to Edinburgh—to this Parliament—will she agree to meet them and listen at first hand to their concerns? Fiona Hyslop: With regard to responsibilities, a planning condition was imposed on the Skye reinforcement section 37 consent for a traffic management plan to be produced by SSEN and approved by Highland Council. That is where those responsibilities lie.”
“Community engagement for the project is the responsibility of Scottish and Southern Electricity Networks. Transport Scotland, BEAR Scotland, SSEN and their contractors meet regularly to discuss the Skye reinforcement project and its effects on the roads and local community. Any wide or abnormal loads must be approved by Transport Scotland in advance. So far, no applications for abnormal load movements have been submitted for the project. Jamie Halcro Johnston: Some of these roads are narrow and in poor condition, and they are all heavily used by tourists, with tour buses and camper vans being a very common sight. They cut through the heart of communities, where schoolchildren, older folk and pedestrians often have to walk across them.”
“ScotRail also has a range of discounts, including flexipasses, season tickets, rail cards, and the kids for a quid and club 50 schemes to make rail travel affordable for passengers while balancing that with the need to generate revenue and to invest in a reliable and sustainable rail network. Cheaper rail fares for commuters provide them with more choice about where they might want to work and encourage more people to travel into our cities and to spend money in retail and hospitality, as well as tackling the climate emergency by encouraging new or potential passengers to get on the train and leave the car at home. Town Centres (Abandoned and Derelict Premises) 3.”
“We anticipate that we will be able to share emerging findings after the policy has been in place for at least six months, with further reporting towards the end of the year. Stuart McMillan: In addition to the removal of the peak rail fares, the Wemyss Bay to Glasgow line, which covers part of my constituency, now has two services per hour. I lobbied for that for quite some time. With those two things alone, many of my constituents are benefiting from an increased service. What further plans does the Scottish Government have to make rail travel more accessible and affordable for passengers in Inverclyde? Fiona Hyslop: I congratulate Stuart McMillan on helping to secure that additional service for his constituents. The removal for good of peak fares is having a major impact on affordability.”
“The removal of ScotRail peak fares for good is currently equivalent to an average saving of 17 per cent across all ticket types for hundreds of thousands of people. Passengers who travel on average three times a week between Greenock and Glasgow have saved nearly £280 between September and Christmas 2025. As living costs rise, the Scottish National Party Government is reducing costs for commuters. Work is under way to put in place a robust analytical process to evaluate the permanent removal of peak fares. It will take some time to be able to meaningfully analyse the impact of removing peak fares. It is too early to draw firm conclusions without more data, as patronage and revenue are sensitive to things such as weather and sports events.”
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“However, members must call not just for improved capital funding for local councils, but, perhaps in the spirit expressed by Davy Russell, for improved capital funding and, indeed, increased borrowing powers to allow longer-term planning across councils and the Government, for this Government and this Parliament. Meeting closed at 18:02. This is the final edition of the Official Report for this meeting. It is part of the Scottish Parliament Official Report archive and has been sent for legal deposit.”
“I am pleased to confirm that the Scottish Government will provide £113,000 from the active travel infrastructure fund, which will allow additional engineering assessments, planning activities and alternative route implementation works to be completed between now and the end of the 2025-26 financial year. Therefore, I hope that the Conservatives will support the active travel budget. I will conclude by re-emphasising the Government’s commitment to our bridge network. Working with local partners, we will continue to ensure its maintenance, its utility to the public and its potential to open up all kinds of associated activity, to the benefit of Scotland and its economy.”
“The focus has now shifted to reopening the national cycle network route, the Moray coastal path and linkage points with the Speyside way, using an alternative crossing of the river and safe paths through the Gordon castle area. The new route has been confirmed and fresh signage has been put in place. For a long-term solution, including consideration of repair or replacement, Moray Council has developed a plan with four key assessment steps that will provide clarity on the impact of the collapse on the river bed and the land surrounding the site. Significant funding is required to take us through those steps, and Moray Council is exploring the available options.”
“To elaborate on the Spey viaduct example, it is clear that the viaduct played a greater role for those in Moray than just a river crossing; it had cultural and historical significance, and it facilitated journeys and recreational activities for locals and visitors alike. Scottish Government officials continue to engage with Moray Council, HITRANS and What Wheel Cycle Trust to assist in minimising disruption and finding a solution. Local constituency MSP Richard Lochhead has sought and secured a meeting with me and has briefed me on the recent community meeting. In the days following the incident, the priority was to make the area safe and investigate the cause of the collapse.”
“Since then, however, we have had the period of capital grant cuts to the Scottish Government, including the infamous Liz Truss and Kwasi Kwarteng budget. There are implications in relation to capital cuts in that regard. Although the Scottish Government is not responsible for local bridges, there have been specific circumstances in which we have been able to offer support for the wider community for strategic reasons. When I served as Cabinet Secretary for Culture, Tourism and External Affairs, I was pleased to secure funding through the rural tourism infrastructure plan for the new Lossiemouth footbridge. That investment restored vital access to the town’s wonderful beach and helped to strengthen Lossiemouth’s position as an important and welcoming tourist destination.”
“Ultimately, it is for those councils to lead on the next steps. They will need time to work through the options, including by consulting and engaging with local communities, as they always do. However, for our part, the Government is more than happy to be part of those discussions. We remain acutely aware of the financial pressures across the public sector, with high inflation, driven by global factors, alongside reduced capital grant allocations from the UK Government—[Interruption.] I would like to make progress. Those pressures continue to impact the affordability and timing of infrastructure investment across Scotland. I remind members that, from 2020 to 2022, the SNP Government operated a local bridge maintenance fund of £32 million.”
“The 2026-27 Scottish budget sets out multiyear spending plans covering three years of resource funding and four years of capital funding, in order to provide greater certainty for councils. That will certainly help with the planning aspects that members have asked for. Local authorities have autonomy to allocate funding to bridge and road maintenance, primarily through their general capital allocations, and they take their own decisions on investment priorities, reflecting local needs, risk and asset condition. In 2026-27, the local government settlement allocated capital grants totalling £681.4 million. I highlight the specific example of the Spey viaduct, which is owned by Moray Council and which was affected by scour in December 2025. Aboyne bridge, which is owned by Aberdeenshire Council, has been subject to restrictions since 2023.”
“Craig Hoy: Does the cabinet secretary share the concerns of many local authorities—for example, Aberdeenshire Council—that the capital projections in relation to the budget announced last week are grim as far as Scottish councils are concerned, with a net £1 billion reduction feeding through? Will that not seriously hamper the routine maintenance burden that falls on councils, meaning that the condition of bridges will probably get worse rather than better as a result of the lack of capital investment by this Government? Fiona Hyslop: I will address some capital issues that Craig Hoy might be interested in. The Scottish Government has provided record levels of funding to local government. Last year, Aberdeenshire had a 7.2 per cent increase, Dumfries and Galloway had a 6.4 per cent increase, and Moray Council had a 6.6 per cent increase.”
“I am pleased that Edward Mountain raised that point in his contribution. I highlight that, following storm Babet in 2023, scour affected many of our trunk road structures—for example, the A90 at Finavon. Such events require an emergency response in order to maintain public safety, in which case resources need to be diverted from planned activities. Responsibility for the inspection and maintenance of, and investment decisions for, local bridges rests entirely with Scotland’s local authorities. Those structures are owned and managed by councils, and it is for them to determine priorities, allocate resources and lead on the development of repair or replacement plans in line with local needs and asset conditions.”
“For example, the General Wade bridge on the A83 at Inveraray dates from 1776, and the bridge of Teith on the A84 dates from 1535. As Davy Russell pointed out, it follows that there is a need for constant maintenance of those ageing assets. It is imperative that properly qualified inspectors carry out regular inspections, and data from such inspections forms the backbone of asset investment decisions. That is the approach adopted by the Scottish Government. Inspections are carried out in accordance with national standards. General inspections are carried out every two years and principal inspections are carried out every six years, with monitoring, reactive or special inspections being carried out as required. One of the biggest risks to bridges is scour, which has been exacerbated in recent years by the effects of climate change.”
“I thank members for their informed and passionate contributions. The Scottish Government recognises the value and importance of bridges to Scottish society. They provide more than physical links; they deliver significant social value by contributing to prosperity and improving mobility. Our national infrastructure extends across Scotland, and trunk road bridges across rural areas, islands and estuaries are part of that national connectivity, which makes them fundamental to economic development and community wellbeing, as many members, including Emma Roddick, pointed out. The safety of our bridges is key, and I am aware of the challenges involved in managing our ageing bridge stock. The Scottish ministers are responsible for more than 1,700 bridges, many of which are more than 120 years old.”
“In her reply to the member on 24 September, Alison Irvine, the chief executive of Transport Scotland, indicated that Transport Scotland would be happy to consider that being done via the appropriate planning process. She has not heard back from Mr Ross’s constituents, but Transport Scotland stands ready to hear their proposals, which might involve talking to neighbouring landowners as they look for a solution. Brown signs are for visitor attractions, and we have some concerns about the issue of people wanting to turn right when they are heading north. There are concerns about how to safely allow signage. Understandably, there are rules, but we stand ready to engage on some sort of practical solution, which might involve the use of neighbouring land.”
“I have been in correspondence with the cabinet secretary about the issue and wonder whether, when she next meets Transport Scotland, she could ask for a more reasonable approach so that that food van, which is providing a great service to travellers on the A9, can get the signage that would make it safer for people to stop there. Fiona Hyslop: The member knows that I have some sympathy with the situation, which is yet to be resolved. The concern is that any proposal for signage within the trunk road boundary or on the verge of the road would be problematic, but that would not exclude the possibility of having signage somewhere nearby, with a landowner’s agreement.”
“In an article in The Press and Journal last year, they were described as “a welcome sight, serving up a hot meal and a warm welcome to the A9’s weary travellers”. They are providing a great service to local people—including me, as I often stop there on my way down to Edinburgh—and someone from Tasmania said that Hamish and Elizabeth had provided them with the best sandwich that they had ever eaten. However, their problem is that they have not been given permission by Transport Scotland to put up signage to alert people to their food van, which means that drivers either pass by, missing the opportunity to take a break from driving and to get some hot food and coffee, or stop too quickly, which can cause an accident.”
“Transport Scotland civil servants provide the entirety of the official support to me on policy and all matters relating to my portfolio as Cabinet Secretary for Transport. They are responsible to me and deliver Scotland’s national transport needs. The most recent meeting, involving Transport Scotland officials and the Scottish road works commissioner, took place earlier today, and I have had 19 meetings with, or involving, Transport Scotland officials since 5 January, covering operational delivery and policy matters across a range of areas, including trunk roads, ferries and weather resilience. Douglas Ross: Hamish Cullerton and Elizabeth Leslie own and run Highland Cuisine, which is the only food van that has been authorised by Highland Council to operate on the A9.”
“The campaign in Edinburgh has been successful and I understand that it is being expanded to the EH6 area. I will ensure that that is brought to the attention of the strategic partnership group on road safety, which I chair, because it is essential. I can also tell the member that Road Safety Scotland’s early years and primary learning resources introduce the topic early, because we must encourage good practice as early as possible. We must look at all the contributory factors, because accidents are a problem but near misses distress people. Transport Scotland (Meetings) 7.”