Latest news with #FionaHyslop
The Herald Scotland
3 days ago
- Automotive
- The Herald Scotland
Nothing about the A9 dualling project suggests momentum
A promise to fully dual the single carriageway between Perth and Inverness by 2025 was first made in the SNP's 2007 manifesto, with plans to widen around 80 miles of road in 11 sections formally set out in 2011. However, little more than 11 miles – in just two sections –were dualled in 12 years. Six miles of the trunk road from Moy to Tomatin, south of Inverness, are currently being upgraded under a £185 million contract. In 2023, the Scottish Government admitted the dualling would now not be completed until 2035 at the earliest. However, that didn't stop Transport Secretary Fiona Hyslop taking hyperbole to new heights with the latest pronouncement on the A9. She announced that a contract for the dualling of a fourth section of the road is due to be awarded imminently. Transport Scotland announced on Friday that Wills Bros Civil Engineering was the preferred bidder in the £152.7m deal to dual the road between Tay Crossing and Ballinluig. The government has planned to upgrade the road – one of Scotland's most dangerous – for more than a decade, with the work initially due to be complete this year. But it has since been pushed back to to Transport Scotland, the section will be complete in 2028, with 45% of the A9 between Perth and Inverness to be dualled by that time. I have walked amongst Scotland's largest seagulls - and they are a menace It is high time that irresponsible campervan users are taxed off the NC500 Alan Simpson: Giving CalMac contract is right - now give them better ships Alan Simpson: The new £144m electric rail line without enough trains The Transport Secretary said the announcement showed the 'continued momentum' of the project. "In addition to the improvements delivered through dualling, this investment will provide lasting social value to the communities and businesses local to these areas,' she said. 'We have seen already how contractors across the programme are making a positive impact through our social value programme, and I look forward to seeing further benefits delivered in the construction of this section. 'This is the second contract to be awarded since our delivery plan for A9 dualling was announced in 2023, and clearly demonstrates that we are delivering on our promises. 'The receipt of three valid tenders during this procurement process means that we can also be confident that our investment in this A9 dualling contract demonstrates value for money, and that the changes we have made to our contracts in recent years are making a real difference. 'We are achieving the targets we have laid out, and making steady progress across the corridor to ensure that the full route between Perth and Inverness is dualled by 2035.' While this is welcome news, to call it 'continued momentum' is a stretch and a bit of an insult to the hard-pressed regular users of the road. There is simply nothing that screams momentum about the A9, whether it be the glacial pace of dualling or getting stuck behind a lorry on the many single carriageway sections. Ms Hyslop also takes the biscuit for announcing that an announcement is imminent. That isn't really an announcement at all but perhaps shows the desperation among ministers to try to show that work is at least progressing. But just two sections of single carriageway, totalling about 11 miles (18km) of road have been upgraded over the past decade. About 77 miles (124km) have still to be improved as part of the £3 billion project, which will extend from Inverness to Perth. Delays and rising costs have repeatedly hit the dualling upgrades, which were initially scheduled to be completed this year. Why it is being done in sections is beyond me – surely a firm should just get the contract to build the whole lot, rather than handing out projects that seem to be by the yard. Earlier this year, the much-maligned quango Transport Scotland apparently rewrote the laws of physics by claiming that accelerating the dualling will not save any time on the project. In a report, the quango said it had explored whether some sections should be speeded up on safety grounds, or where lengthy diversions could be put in place, should the road be closed. It said it had considered introducing 'overlapping' construction on the carriageway to speed up the project. It also suggested rescheduling the planned programme of work around the areas of the road deemed to be least safe. However, it said its findings revealed that current scheduling 'achieves an earlier overall completion date than would be achieved were it to be rescheduled'. In the meantime, more than 300 people have been injured in car crashes on the A9 over the past four years, recent figures revealed. According to the figures, 28 people were killed between 2021-22 and 2024-25, including 13 in 2022-23 alone. There were 321 collisions resulting in injury during that period, 134 of which were considered serious and 159 classed as minor. Of course, the fact that much of it is still single carriageway will not be a contributory factor in every crash, but every one should be a stark reminder to the Scottish Government of the pressing need for an upgrade. But given the track record of Transport Scotland and successive governments, we shouldn't hold our breath. The A75 urgently needs upgraded as does the A96 and the A82. It is easy to think that they all remain in poor condition in poor condition because they are all in rural areas, miles away from the glare of Holyrood. Out of sight, out of mind. Compare this to when the Forth Road Bridge fell into disrepair – a sparkling new crossing was delivered on time and on budget, and fairly quickly too. Only a cynic could suggest this happened because the bridge carries the main road into Edinburgh and many in the capital have holiday homes in the East Neuk of Fife. Transport infrastructure projects always seem to be a problem under a quango that orders ferries that are too big for ports and electrifying railway lines without ordering enough electric trains. In other European countries, roads seem to get built in one fell swoop rather in bits and pieces like here in Scotland. This leads to inevitable cost overruns and delays which adds millions more to the bill which on the face of it seems unnecessary. The more contracts that are handed out, the more can go wrong. So, surely, it would be sensible to award less. But sense seems to be in short supply at Holyrood.
Times
7 days ago
- Business
- Times
Ferguson chief says shipyard needs ferry contract with no competition
The Ferguson shipyard faces a 'very difficult' future unless ministers hand it a ferry replacement contract, the chief executive has warned. Graeme Thomson said he had already lobbied for the Inverclyde yard to be given the mandate to build the successor to MV Lord of the Isles. That vessel normally sails from Lochboisdale on South Uist to the mainland at Mallaig. Fiona Hyslop, the transport secretary, said in April that money was available for a replacement to be built with CMAL, the procurement agency, looking at designs. The yard has been in public hands since 2019 after it ran out of cash building the Glen Sannox and Glen Rosa ferries. Holyrood ministers decided in March this year that they could not legally find a way to directly award Ferguson the work to build seven electric ferries for the small vessels replacement programme and that went to the Polish yard Remontowa. Thomson, who started at Ferguson in May, told the Scottish affairs committee at Westminster that the state-owned yard could not compete on price with overseas rivals. A direct award would mean Ferguson being given the contract without it having to go through procurement. Thomson said he had 'lobbied for a direct award' and believed the Scottish government was considering whether it was possible. He said: 'I'm not aware of what might be challenges or blockers to that.' Asked by MPs what the future might hold if the yard did not win that contract, he said: 'It would be very difficult for us and very challenging.' Thomson argued there was a need to give UK yards a better chance to win domestic work with about 150 non-navy vessels due to be built over the next 30 years. He said: 'As long as there is a situation that international yards can do it cheaper than us, whether because of labour rates or tax breaks, then we will never be playing on a level playing field. We need to move the conversation away from a race to the bottom on price.' Ferguson recently won a contract from BAE Systems to build structural steel blocks for HMS Birmingham as part of the Type 26 programme. Thomson is hopeful that the scope of work could be expanded in the future, while it is also looking into bids to build pilot boats and tugs. He said: 'If the portfolio starts with smaller boats, then we get back into larger boats, then I'm very content we would protect as much of the workforce as we can.' Thomson told MPs he was confident that Glen Rosa, which is already seven years late and vastly over budget, would be ready for handover in the second quarter of next year. Separately, Shona Robison, the finance secretary, said that the Scottish government continued to talk with bus operators and transport authorities to establish demand levels for double-decker buses as part of its efforts to find a future for Alexander Dennis. The bus builder is proposing to shut its Scottish manufacturing division, with 400 jobs at risk across Falkirk and Larbert.
The National
10-07-2025
- Automotive
- The National
BBC issues correction after Scottish Government driving test claim
The corporation shared a video online on Thursday looking into the long waiting lists people are experiencing across Scotland when trying to book driving tests. After showing clips of several learner drivers who have been caught up in the backlog, a BBC Scotland journalist said: "There is some good news, though. The Scottish Government say they're aiming to cut the waiting times for us to seven weeks by summer 2026." The journalist added: "They say there will be the addition of 10,000 tests, and they're looking at how to block bots from booking test dates." READ MORE: How does the UK-France 'one in, one out' asylum deal work? Driving tests are not devolved in Scotland, meaning the Scottish Government is not involved with and does not have any responsibility for waiting list times. It is the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) – an executive agency of the UK Government's Department for Transport – which is responsible for conducting driving tests in the UK. According to the UK Government, the average waiting time for driving tests in England stands at nearly 21 weeks, which is higher than the 15 week average in Scotland. BBC Scotland went on to issue a correction on social media beneath the video, where it said: "Correction: This video refers to the Scottish government and it should have said UK government." (Image: @BBCScotlandNews, via Twitter/X) BBC Scotland has since deleted the post and the following correction from Twitter/X, but the video is still available on YouTube at the time of writing. Responding to the correction before it was deleted, Transport Secretary Fiona Hyslop said: "Pretty serious don't you think? - and it's still being used/up? Basic stuff here to make a mistake about" (Image: @BBCScotlandNews, via Twitter/X) BBC Scotland has been contacted for comment.
The National
10-07-2025
- Automotive
- The National
BBC issues correction after false Scottish Government claim
The corporation shared a video online on Thursday looking into the long waiting lists people are experiencing across Scotland when trying to book driving tests. After showing clips of several learner drivers who have been caught up in the backlog, a BBC Scotland journalist said: "There is some good news, though. The Scottish Government say they're aiming to cut the waiting times for us to seven weeks by summer 2026." The journalist added: "They say there will be the addition of 10,000 tests, and they're looking at how to block bots from booking test dates." READ MORE: How does the UK-France 'one in, one out' asylum deal work? Driving tests are not devolved in Scotland, meaning the Scottish Government is not involved and does not have any responsibility for waiting list times. It is the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) – an executive agency of the UK Government's Department for Transport – which is responsible for conducting driving tests in the UK. According to the UK Government, the average waiting time for driving tests in England stands at nearly 21 weeks, which is higher than the 15 week average in Scotland. BBC Scotland went on to issue a correction on social media beneath the video, where it said: "Correction: This video refers to the Scottish government and it should have said UK government." (Image: @BBCScotlandNews, via Twitter/X) BBC Scotland has since deleted the video and the following correction tweet, but it is still available on YouTube at the time of writing. Responding to the correction before it was deleted, Transport Secretary Fiona Hyslop said: "Pretty serious don't you think? - and it's still being used/up? Basic stuff here to make a mistake about" (Image: @BBCScotlandNews, via Twitter/X) BBC Scotland has been contacted for comment.
Glasgow Times
10-07-2025
- Automotive
- Glasgow Times
First Bus launches EV charging programme in Glasgow depot
Branded as First Charge, the scheme is designed to open up the company's EV charging infrastructure to the public, businesses, and fleet operators. First Bus, one of the UK's largest bus operators, said the initiative supports the UK's transition to cleaner, greener transport by making use of its existing network of depot-based chargers. Under the new programme, 15 depots across Scotland and England will provide access to EV charging, with the Glasgow Caledonia depot leading the rollout. Read more: First Bus reveals major update on 'axed' Glasgow service First Bus opens its charging infrastructure to the public, businesses, and fleets (Image: Supplied) Isabel McAllister, chief sustainability and compliance officer at First Bus UK, said: "At First Bus, we're progressing rapidly towards our goal of a zero-emission fleet by 2035, with an investment of over £320 million to date. "With First Charge, we're building on our position as an industry leader, sharing our infrastructure to accelerate decarbonisation to help other users move faster too." The Caledonia depot now operates as a public-facing, ultra-rapid charging hub, offering charging for up to 34 vehicles – including both fleet and consumer EVs – between 9am and 4.30pm. The service is available at an introductory rate of £0.39 per kWh, marking the first time First Bus has opened its depot charging facilities to the general public. Located close to Glasgow city centre, the new Caledonia Superhub offers fast, affordable charging for consumers and commercial fleets, with a range of payment options, including contactless and several EV charging apps. First Bus already shares its depot charging facilities with businesses such as DPD, Centrica, Openreach, and Police Scotland. By expanding access through First Charge, the company aims to address a critical gap in high-power charging infrastructure, especially for commercial operators in urban areas. The scheme is expected to be particularly valuable for operators in the growing electric HGV sector. Fiona Hyslop, Cabinet Secretary for Transport, welcomed the launch. Read more: No trains to run on major Glasgow Central railway line this weekend Cabinet Secretary for Transport Fiona Hyslop and First Bus Scotland Managing Director Duncan Cameron (Image: Supplied) She said: "I'm pleased that the First Bus Caledonia Depot is opening its doors to people and communities by providing ultra-rapid electric vehicle charging at affordable pricing. "When the Scottish Government invested over £6.4 million to fund the charging infrastructure at the Caledonia Depot, it was always the intention that First Bus thought innovatively and collaboratively about how it might be used. "By providing more public EV charging, we're now seeing that ambition realised, improving charging opportunities and promoting range confidence for EV drivers. "Through the new First Charge brand, First Bus is now leading the way by sharing their charging infrastructure, adding to Scotland's comprehensive public EV charging network and continuing to support the transition to a net-zero transport system." More information is available on the First Charge website.
