A92 Road Orders (Public Local Inquiry)

Question Time — Scottish Executive — General Questions – in the Scottish Parliament at 11:40 am on 25 February 2010.

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Photo of Iain Smith Iain Smith Liberal Democrat 11:40, 25 February 2010

To ask the Scottish Executive when it received the report of the public local inquiry on the proposed A92 road orders in relation to the A92 east of Newport-on-Tay in Fife, and when it expects to announce its decision. (S3O-9629)

Photo of Stewart Stevenson Stewart Stevenson Scottish National Party

The report of the PLI into the proposals for the A92 east of Newport-on-Tay in Fife was received on 28 July. As I indicated to Mr Smith in a written parliamentary answer, the matter is still under very active consideration and I will announce my decision as soon as possible.

Photo of Iain Smith Iain Smith Liberal Democrat

The target date for the decision, according to the website of the directorate for planning and environmental appeals, was last August. We are now in February—some seven months since the Government received the report. Does the minister really think that that is acceptable?

There have been a number of accidents at that location since the inquiry report, including one last week which, fortunately, did not result in any serious injuries. Local people think that speeding is the main concern on the road: speeding is clearly not a problem within the department.

Photo of Stewart Stevenson Stewart Stevenson Scottish National Party

The member will be aware that some of the safety response related to closing central reservation gaps. We have tried, through the promotion of a traffic regulation order, to make the trunk road safer for all users, but that has prompted a significant number of objections. We have to respect the rights of objectors, but we are on the brink of making an appropriate decision.

Photo of Ted Brocklebank Ted Brocklebank Conservative

The minister will be aware that I have raised other concerns with him about the A92, particularly in relation to the section at the Balfarg junction in Glenrothes and the upgrading of the Parbroath junction. Will he comment on those in relation to the proposed A92 road orders?

Photo of Stewart Stevenson Stewart Stevenson Scottish National Party

I really do not think that I have anything more to add to what I have said previously on the matter. I indicated that I understood the issues at both the junctions. We are continuing actively to consider them.