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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“Now, legislation is required to build on that progress, maximise the benefits of the transition to a zero-emission bus fleet and provide market certainty for bus manufacturers. The UK Bus Services (No 2) Bill is currently in its final stage, the report stage having taken longer than anticipated to progress through the UK Parliament. We have therefore taken the opportunity to extend the zero-emission vehicle provisions to Scotland to support the Scottish Government’s policy direction on phasing out petrol and diesel buses. We had been planning our own legislation to similar effect, but with limited time remaining in the current parliamentary session, it would have meant legislating early in the next session, so the opportunity to amend the UK bill is helpful.”
“The new UK Labour Government moved away from a UK-wide approach, with the provisions of the bill applying to England only at introduction. Emissions from bus services are included in the Scottish Government’s statutory commitment to achieve net zero by 2045, and the Scottish Government has been working with the industry to meet our ambitions for a fully decarbonised future for Scotland’s bus fleet. We are making good progress, with currently 14 per cent of all public service buses in Scotland being zero-emission buses, in comparison with a Great Britain average of 8.1 per cent. That has been achieved in partnership with the bus sector, and support has been provided through the Scottish zero-emission bus challenge—ScotZEB—fund and its predecessor, the Scottish ultra-low-emission bus scheme.”
“The Transport (Scotland) Act 2019 already provides options for local authorities in Scotland to introduce franchising, local authority-run services and formal partnerships. The bill contains a range of measures, most of which will apply in England only. However, some measures in the bill will apply to, or have some effect on, Scotland. As the provisions relating to those measures are concerned with reserved matters, the bill did not engage the legislative consent process when it was introduced. The bill includes, among other things, powers to prevent the registration of new non-zero-emission buses on English local bus services from a date no earlier than 2030. The Conservative UK Government had previously consulted on proposals for a UK-wide phased ban on the purchase of new diesel buses.”
“This afternoon, we are debating a motion on the United Kingdom Government’s Bus Services (No 2) Bill, and I appreciate the Parliamentary Bureau and the Parliament agreeing to schedule the debate. Buses have a key part to play in cutting emissions from transport and contributing to meeting our world-leading climate change ambitions, which the Scottish Government is supporting by investing in bus priority infrastructure and encouraging a shift to zero- emission buses. The UK Government’s Bus Services (No 2) Bill was introduced to the House of Lords in December 2024. Its intention is to empower local leaders in England to choose the bus operating model that works for their local area.”
“As the United Kingdom Minister for Rail, Lord Hendy, has said, Scotland’s integrated approach, which is underpinned by the alliance between ScotRail and Network Rail, has delivered a more cohesive railway system—one that has been delivered through greater integration of the management of track and train, with the whole system working together. Today is an important moment to reflect on the achievements that Scotland’s railway has delivered on behalf of the people of Scotland. Our focus remains on delivering further improvements to encourage more people to switch from their car and to choose more sustainable journeys. By making rail services more affordable, accessible and inclusive, we are delivering on the core principles of our national transport strategy.”
“Scotland’s public transport system provides a cleaner and greener alternative to the private car. It is a key enabler of growth and opportunity, and it provides vital links for people to live, learn, earn and socialise. Scotland’s railway is at the forefront of that. The railway supports vital connections between our cities, communities and businesses, and it showcases much of what Scotland has to offer. The railway is an integral part of our nation’s economy and wellbeing, and I pay tribute to all the people who work on it. This year marks 20 years since rail powers were devolved at executive level to the Scottish Government. That was a significant step in devolution and a key milestone that helped us to deliver the success that is Scotland’s railway.”
“Fiona Hyslop: The answer to that is yes, that is our intention. However, I am in the hands of Parliament, its clerks and the committee on that, so I cannot give you certainty about that now.”
“Alongside that, work is on-going with bus operators to explore the use of travel safety officers on the bus network, along with enhancing education materials for bus passengers on safety. Claire Baker: I think that we all agree that there is no place for antisocial or abusive behaviour on public transport and that no one should feel unsafe or threatened in their place of work or when travelling. The cabinet secretary recognised the concerns that were raised by bus drivers last year, and the Parliament agreed that the potential to remove concessionary bus passes from individuals who engage in antisocial behaviour should be progressed. I welcome her indicating that that work is on-going. Can she indicate when that work will be completed? Can we expect it to be completed by the end of this session of Parliament?”
“Everyone has the right to be and feel safe when using or working on our public transport network. Transport Scotland is working to make travel safer for all. ScotRail is delivering an on- going programme of conflict management training for all front-line staff and has recently expanded its travel safe team. To support that, a Scottish Government working group has been established to review how police enforcement powers are applied on the railway and where they can be strengthened. The First Minister has set out a programme for government commitment to remove free bus travel from any person of any age who does not act responsibly. Work is on-going to develop a behaviour code for scheme users, with legislation planned to suspend access to free bus travel.”
“We recognise the importance of the role that rail travel plays. Bob Doris might appreciate that passenger travel patterns have changed since the Covid pandemic, but they are recovering, and we expect further growth. We will identify what might be needed in the future, but as the service is meeting the current passenger demand, there are no immediate plans to deliver any significant changes to the timetable on the Maryhill line. However, as I have said, ScotRail will continue to review the timetable and, at some point in the future, it might adjust it. Public Transport Safety 8.”
“We are also, of course, tackling the climate emergency by encouraging new potential passengers on to the train and to leave the car at home. Bob Doris: I welcome the significant cost savings that abolishing peak-time rail fares will provide to my constituents. As the cabinet secretary has highlighted, the saving is more than 40 per cent for many of those using the railway in my constituency. Does the cabinet secretary agree that this is a real opportunity to drive up commuter numbers across the rail network more generally? As railway patronage grows, I highlight the importance of restoring a 30-minute service during the day on the Maryhill line Monday to Friday, which is still to return to its pre-Covid frequency. Fiona Hyslop: We monitor the growth in passenger numbers and will continue to do so.”
“The Scottish National Party Government’s initiative to remove for good peak- time fares from ScotRail services will have a strong positive impact on passengers not only in Bob Doris’s constituency of Maryhill and Springburn but across the country. For example, passengers travelling during peak times between Springburn and Glasgow will save around 27 per cent on their daily return ticket, and those travelling from Maryhill will save 42 per cent on the same journey, and there will be more savings on flexipass fares. With this initiative, we are helping household incomes as people face increases in food and energy bills. We are providing more choices for where people might want to work, and we are encouraging more people to travel into our cities and spend money on retail and hospitality.”
“The case has been made for the work that is required, which is why the project manager is now producing the business case. When that is delivered, we expect it to reinforce what Christine Grahame and others want to see. Any decisions about how an extension might be taken forward will be made in the future, but the delivery of the business case is the key next step.”
“Christine Grahame: I thank the cabinet secretary for her kind words. Earlier today, I emphasised the success of the Borders railway. It was once opposed by the Conservatives, but we all love sinners who repent. The extraordinary level of passenger usage, which goes way beyond what was predicted in the early days, has now had added to it to the huge benefit of the discarding of peak fares. Does that not add to the case for extension? Fiona Hyslop: More than 13 million passengers have used the Borders railway since it opened. It is a major success, reflecting experiences in other areas, including with the Bathgate to Edinburgh line and the Bathgate to Airdrie extension, which have also encouraged more passengers than were originally forecast. Investment in rail is important.”
“I pay tribute to Christine Grahame for her early, continuous, and passionate support for rail in the Borders over many years, and I look forward to joining her and others over the coming week as we celebrate the 10th anniversary of the Borders railway. The Scottish Government recognises that extending the Borders railway is a regional priority. We have already seen the positive social and economic impacts that reopening the railway to Tweedbank has had on the region in the past 10 years. I am pleased that Scottish Borders Council, which is leading the business case work on the proposed extension, has now appointed a project manager from Turner & Townsend. Officials from both the United Kingdom and Scottish Governments recently met with the project manager to agree next steps and will continue to engage and support the work as it develops.”
“The Deputy Presiding Officer: Again, there are a couple of—I hope—highly relevant supplementaries.”
“Fiona Hyslop: With the Scottish National Party Government’s removal for good of peak fares, commuters in my colleague’s constituency are making considerable savings. Those travelling between Cowdenbeath and Edinburgh Waverley are saving £7 on their return daily ticket and even more with a flexipass. I appreciate Annabelle Ewing’s—dare I say— dogged commitment to improving rail services for her constituents. She is right to do so. The Government shares her commitment to that goal of improvement and, as I have mentioned, plans to replace the ageing fleet and decarbonise the Fife rail routes are well under way. I will update the Parliament with further details very soon, and I hope that Annabelle Ewing will then be able to share them with her constituents.”
“My officials will continue to monitor Fife services closely to ensure that further improvements are made where possible. Annabelle Ewing: The cabinet secretary will be aware of my long-standing calls, going back many years, for the serious overcrowding on Fife commuter trains to be sorted once and for all. Although the scrapping of peak fares by the Scottish Government will be very popular with my constituents, what would be equally popular would be a clear plan, with a clear timetable, to ensure that my constituents are not packed in like sardines when they are travelling to and from their work. Can the cabinet secretary therefore offer my constituents an assurance that this constant problem of overcrowding will finally be tackled?”
“I recognise that the fleet serving Fife routes is aged, which affects its reliability and has a negative impact on commuters. We are committed to replacing the fleet and to decarbonising the routes. Work on that continues to advance. In the meantime, ScotRail continues to take steps to improve fleet reliability in Fife as part of its broader strategic approach. That includes close collaboration between ScotRail and the train leasing company to implement a comprehensive fleet improvement plan, with a particular focus on enhancing the performance of diesel fleet operating in that region. There were more than 800 additional train services in Fife in the most recent reporting period, compared with the same period last year, and further additional services were introduced on the Leven route, which increased capacity.”
“The member is also correct to remind members in the chamber that the situation is a result of the long history of Conservative privatisation of ports. He also recognises the key reason why we are doing this, which is to ensure that there is investment, both in the short and in the long term, to make sure that there is a secure and sustainable future for Ardrossan harbour.”
“Kenneth Gibson: I sympathise with the cabinet secretary’s predicament. Peel Ports chronically underinvested in the harbour for years. When the save Ardrossan harbour and Arran for Ardrossan harbour groups came to Holyrood, the cabinet secretary met them, whereas Peel would not when they protested outside its Glasgow headquarters. Although the Scottish Government has declined to comment on active commercial negotiations, Peel has accused it of not matching its “pace, energy and commitment”. Does the cabinet secretary agree that, to right the wrong of the Tory privatisation of Ardrossan harbour, Peel Ports should cease trying to hold Scottish taxpayers to ransom and sell the port now—lock, stock and barrel—for a fair price? Fiona Hyslop: I agree that a fair price is absolutely essential.”
“Can the cabinet secretary say what further work is being done to ensure that the purchase is concluded in days and weeks rather than months and years? Fiona Hyslop: I understand people’s frustrations. I have been quite clear about my determination that the purchase will be concluded, but success will be when those negotiations succeed and are agreed to by both parties. On my part, the move to heads of terms ensures that we are getting into the practical detail of ensuring the clean title that I referred to, which will be the long-term result of those negotiations. In terms of the impetus to ensure that progress is made more rapidly now that we have got to this critical stage, the member can be assured that the matter has my utmost attention, as it has done in recent months.”
“This Government will continue to support the role of Ardrossan harbour for the long-term benefit of local communities in Arran and Ardrossan. I look forward to updating Parliament on further progress at the earliest opportunity. Kenneth Gibson: I am heartened that progress is being made, and I commend the cabinet secretary’s tenacity in pursuing the harbour’s purchase. However, progress still appears to be glacial. The communities of Ardrossan and Arran just want to know when the purchase will successfully conclude, given the time that has already elapsed. Few people thought, regardless of how complex the negotiations to buy the harbour would be, that it would take even the six months that we have waited so far.”
“I assure Kenny Gibson and his constituents that concluding the matter and bringing Ardrossan harbour into public ownership is a top priority for Scottish ministers. Yesterday, I shared an update with the Net Zero, Energy and Transport Committee and the Ardrossan task force that our asset owner, Caledonian Maritime Assets Ltd, is continuing positive negotiations with Peel Ports Group. Those complex and commercially sensitive discussions are now focusing on heads of terms, and both parties are committed to confirming details of the potential sale as quickly as possible. Achieving a clean title on the assets—a large part of which have not been transacted since the late 19th century—and adhering to legal and commercial due process is essential to securing a sustainable future for our ferry operations.”
“To achieve the necessary shift, we have a big focus on looking at how we provide our public transport services. Under public ownership, ScotRail is one of the top-performing rail service providers in the United Kingdom. ScotRail now carries more passengers and provides more services at greater frequency than it did before it came under public ownership. I agree that we need to have accessible and affordable public transport for people to use, but if we are serious about tackling climate change—I do not think that the Conservative Party is any more—we must take steps to protect our environment, to protect people in terms of their car use and encourage them to use electric vehicles, and to invest in our public transport system. Planning Appeals Process (Reform) 4.”
“To reduce car use, we should be providing efficient and affordable public transport alternatives, but, under SNP control, ScotRail is deterring passengers by cutting services and packing commuters like sardines into carriages. Does the cabinet secretary accept that the Scottish Government needs to focus on incentives, rather than penalties, to encourage Scots to leave their cars at home? Fiona Hyslop: I was not forced to change the target of a 20 per cent reduction in car kilometres by 2030. I said that it was unachievable and not wanted. Indeed, the Climate Change Committee has said that Scotland needs to reduce its car use only by 6 per cent by 2035, although some parts of Scotland might want to go further, and we might need to go further as part of our climate change plan.”
“The Scottish Government will now establish a working group that will include membership from regional transport partnerships and local authorities, including those that have sought progress on such a regulatory check to ensure that the secondary legislation from 2001 remains fit for purpose, because any road user charging scheme could be implemented only if councils wanted to use those powers from 2001. The work of that group will inform a timeline for the check. Sue Webber: I remind the cabinet secretary that Gail Macgregor was speaking on behalf of COSLA, not on behalf of the Conservative Party. After being forced to scrap its 2030 car use target, the Scottish National Party now plans to continue its war on motorists by charging them for using our pothole-ridden roads.”
“On 12 June, the Scottish Government published, jointly with the Convention of Scottish Local Authorities, the car use reduction policy statement, which includes a commitment to undertake a regulatory check of the existing discretionary powers for local road user charging schemes under the Transport (Scotland) Act 2001. The statement was published jointly by me and Councillor Gail Macgregor, who leads for COSLA on the environment and transport. Sue Webber will be familiar with Councillor Macgregor, as she is a member of her political party.”
“In relation to our on-going commitment to dual the A96, any decision will have to be made in the context of available, planned budgets, the impact of this week’s United Kingdom Government spending review and the Scottish Government’s infrastructure investment plan refresh, which is anticipated later in the year. I did not want to delay the publication of the consultation report, given what MSPs asked me to do. I have done what I said that I would do in February. The Presiding Officer: That concludes general question time; my apologies to the members we were unable to reach. Before we move to First Minister’s question time, I invite members to join me in welcoming to the gallery the Hon Raj Chouhan, speaker of the Legislative Assembly of British Columbia. [Applause.] First Minister’s Question Time 12:00 Schools (Disruptive Behaviour) 1.”
“I will share the link to the report with all relevant north-east and Highland constituency and regional MSPs. Liam Kerr: Almost 5,000 days, 16 transport ministers and 14 years since the Government promised to dual the A96 between Aberdeen and Inverness, we finally have a publication date for a consultation report. When the consultation results are released this afternoon, will that come with a cast-iron commitment that the A96 will finally be dualled? Fiona Hyslop: As I said, at the round-table meeting that I referred to, I indicated that it was my intention to ensure that the consultation report was published as soon as possible. That is what MSPs asked me to do.”
“During the round-table meeting that I held in the Parliament on 4 February, which the member attended, I indicated that it was my intention to provide an update on the public’s response to the consultation as soon as it was provided to me, once the responses had been collated and analysed and a report summarising the feedback had been produced. The 12-week consultation period ended on 21 February, with more than 1,400 responses received. I thank the member for his question, which allows me to announce that I received the consultation report at the end of last week. I briefed Cabinet colleagues on its publication at the beginning of this week, and I can advise the Parliament that the consultation report will be published on Transport Scotland’s website this afternoon.”
“However, unless and until we see text in the bill that secures accountability for integrated rail services to this Parliament and this Government, that risk still exists. Section 37 Applications (Engagement and Decision Making) 2.”
“John Mason: I thank the cabinet secretary for that reply, but her final point about the lack of clarity concerns me, too, given that the idea has been around for a long time. Can she assure us that the Scottish Government will resist any attempts to take decisions on, for example, ticket prices or rail investment back to London? Fiona Hyslop: I have repeatedly sought assurance from the Secretary of State for Transport that any decisions made by the UK Government will not dilute Scottish ministers’ existing powers. Scottish ministers will do all within our power to protect the interests of Scottish railways in order to allow us to continue to build on the success of bringing ScotRail and Caledonian Sleeper into public ownership for the benefit of the people of Scotland.”
“I, and the Government, are clear that full devolution of rail is in Scotland’s best interests, not least to deliver the services that our communities and economy need and deserve. I am proud that ScotRail in public ownership has been a success and that ScotRail’s train performance and passenger satisfaction are consistently higher than the Great Britain average. I welcome the intent of the UK Government’s rail reform bill—I have discussed it twice with the Secretary of State for Transport—and the commitment to protect current devolution of powers and learn from the example of Scotland’s integrated approach to track and train. I want to continue to work constructively with the secretary of state to protect and enhance Scotland’s interests, but I am concerned at the lack of clarity and detail in the proposals to date.”
“Motion moved, That the Parliament agrees that the Deposit and Return Scheme for Scotland Amendment Regulations 2025 [draft] be approved.—[Jamie Hepburn] 17:14”
“It has written to the Net Zero, Energy and Transport Committee to express strong support for the scheme, outline the work that it is already undertaking to prepare for the scheme’s implementation, and emphasise its commitment to implementing a DRS that works for everyone, from the largest producers to the smallest shops in island communities. This order will enable an industry-led DRS in Scotland and ensure consistent delivery of DRS across Scotland, England and Northern Ireland. I urge members to approve the instrument. The Presiding Officer: The question on the motion will be put at decision time. The next item of business is consideration of Parliamentary Bureau motion S6M-18005, on the approval of an SSI. I ask Jamie Hepburn to move the motion on behalf of the Parliamentary Bureau.”
“It also places requirements on the scheme administrator to meet the scheme’s targets, to act on behalf of industry and to protect consumers. Organisations were invited to apply to be the DRS’s administrator in Scotland; we received a single, industry-backed application from UK DMO Ltd. Following assessment of that application, Scottish ministers have put forward UK DMO Ltd as the scheme administrator for Scotland, and it is named as such in the order. The same organisation has been appointed as the scheme administrator in England and Northern Ireland, ensuring that there is a consistent approach to delivery across the three nations. UK DMO Ltd is a private company made up of member organisations from across industry. I am pleased that it has wasted no time in preparing for the role.”
“I thank the member for the further opportunity to discuss the draft deposit return scheme designation order. To Mr Carlaw, I point out that I have been preparing to answer this question on behalf of my colleague, Ms Martin— who is on Government business elsewhere—in a quieter spot than the noise of the Opposition front benches. This instrument, if approved, will confirm UK Deposit Management Organisation Ltd—UK DMO Ltd—as the scheme administrator for Scotland’s DRS and set out its obligations and functions. As an industry-led scheme, the operation, design and delivery of Scotland’s DRS is the responsibility of a scheme administrator. This order provides the scheme administrator with the powers needed to make decisions about how the scheme should run, such as to set the level of the deposit and operate an effective return point network.”
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“I recognise that the proposed scheme is a priority for regional partners, and my officials continue to progress it through the statutory authorisation process. Although I recognise the need for due process, I will, when it is appropriate to do so, meet a cross- party group of MSPs with an interest in this very important development. I am fully aware of their interests on behalf of their constituents, as expressed in the debate. The Deputy Presiding Officer: That concludes the debate. Meeting closed at 19:35. 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.”
“There is concern that Transport Scotland is not engaging with the city deal partnership, which is frustrating for people who are actively working on the project, so will the cabinet secretary instruct Transport Scotland to attend the partnership’s meetings in the future? The Deputy Presiding Officer: I can give you the time back, cabinet secretary. Fiona Hyslop: I was not aware that Transport Scotland had been invited to those meetings but had not attended them. There is a difference between the promoters and those who advise me on the matter, but I will actively look into that issue. The Scottish Government continues to support the promotion of the grade separation of the Sheriffhall roundabout as part of its £300 million commitment to the Edinburgh and south-east Scotland city region deal.”
“In excess of 1,200 pieces of evidence were lodged for the public local inquiry, and that evidence needs to be rigorously scrutinised by technical and legal advisers, who must be separate from those who have been involved in the promotion of the project. That is a time- consuming process, but it is necessary to ensure robust and well-reasoned decision making. I am very sympathetic to the frustrations about the length of time that the process is taking, but it is not possible, at this time, to give members the timeline that they understandably want. Miles Briggs: If the project had progressed as part of the city deal, an upgraded roundabout would have opened this summer.”
“The statutory right for individuals and organisations to have their say on proposals and the need for ministers to take those matters into account before reaching a final determination cannot be set aside, as some have suggested. Sheriffhall is being promoted on behalf of Scottish ministers by Transport Scotland, which is seeking to make road orders under the Roads (Scotland) Act 1984 and to acquire land under the Acquisition of Land (Authorisation Procedure) (Scotland) Act 1947. The 1984 act, under which the scheme is being promoted, requires me, as Cabinet Secretary for Transport, to make a decision at the end of the statutory process.”
“Sue Webber: Do you believe, cabinet secretary, that it is fair that the Green Party has hijacked that process? Fiona Hyslop: First, I acknowledge that “you” refers to the Presiding Officer. Secondly, it is important that Sue Webber has put what she has said on the record, but I will not make a judgment on it. It is only right that my officials take the appropriate time to consider the significant number of objections that were received, along with the conclusions and recommendations that the reporter made, prior to providing advice to ministers. I continue to await advice on the matter from my officials. Although I am keen to see progress being made, it is essential that we follow due process, because not doing so would be a risk.”
“As Transport Scotland was unable to resolve all objections that were received, a public local inquiry was held from 31 January to 8 February 2023, during which time an appointed independent reporter heard evidence from objectors and Transport Scotland. Following consideration of the objections that were received, the reporter submitted her conclusions and recommendations to the Scottish Government on 10 October 2023, and they remain under active consideration by my officials. Sue Webber: Ninety-seven per cent of the objections have been identified as coming from Green Party sources, but only 12 per cent of the Lothian population voted for that party at that point. Do you think that it is fair— The Deputy Presiding Officer: Speak through the chair.”
“Improvements would also provide opportunities for greater levels of movement by public transport and, as we have heard from Christine Grahame and others, for pedestrians and cyclists, who would be able to traverse the junction more safely. Although those benefits might be understood, we must recognise that there are other views and that ministers must follow a statutory process in which they have decision-making responsibilities that are separate from their responsibilities as a promoter. As we have heard, following publication of draft orders, Transport Scotland received 2,773 objections to the proposed scheme.”
“The cabinet secretary might not have an answer to that, but I would like to know whether the facility could be moved. Fiona Hyslop: Christine Grahame makes an important point. It was before my time, so I will move on, but the logic of what she has said makes a lot of sense. We will consider what can be addressed in the future. I recognise that, in addition to the recommendations in STPR2, improvements at Sheriffhall are a priority for regional partners, road users and local residents. The proposed improvements at Sheriffhall would provide a significant strategic contribution to the Edinburgh and south-east Scotland city region deal themes, including accelerating inclusive growth, removing physical barriers to growth and providing targeted employability and skills interventions.”
“The most transformative of the review’s recommendations for the region is the development of a mass-transit system for Edinburgh and the south-east of Scotland. The recommendation is for an enhanced cross- boundary public transport system, potentially comprising tram, bus, rapid transit and bus priority measures, which will be relevant to Christine Grahame’s constituents in the Borders. Christine Grahame: This point might be left field, but I have never understood why the park- and-ride facility is on the north side of the Sheriffhall roundabout and not on the south side. It means that people, when parking their cars, need to go around the roundabout to the park-and-ride facility before going into Edinburgh. The park-and- ride facility at the Penicuik end is on the south side of the road.”
“The first strategic transport projects review, published in 2008, confirmed that position and the need for improvements to the Sheriffhall junction. Given that, as we have heard from Foysol Choudhury and others, the project is being taken forward through the Edinburgh and south-east Scotland city region deal, and given that it arose from the first strategic transport projects review, the scheme was not considered within the scope of the second strategic transport projects review appraisal. The STPR2 recommendations represented a repositioning of our wider transport investment priorities, with the focus firmly on how transport can help us protect our climate and improve lives while supporting the economy, but the review also recommended a number of road improvement interventions.”
“I, too, have often made the journey along the city bypass and through the Sheriffhall roundabout. The standard of the junction has always been out of step with the rest of the Edinburgh city bypass, as Miles Briggs has pointed out—it is the only single- level junction on the bypass. However, that was a consequence of complexities arising from an underlying geological fault and historical mine workings, and it led at the time of construction to the choice of a roundabout rather than the grade- separated junctions used elsewhere on the bypass. Following the opening of the Dalkeith bypass, Transport Scotland undertook a review of the junction, and that work, together with stakeholder input, highlighted a number of challenges in the existing junction’s operation.”