S6W-26766

Asked by: Hamilton, Rachael (Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party - Ettrick, Roxburgh and Berwickshire)

Question

To ask the Scottish Government what support it is providing to local businesses, in light of any customer behavioural changes resulting from road closures caused by renewables developments.

Answered by Martin, Gillian - Minister for Energy and the Environment

Road closures on the local road network are the responsibility of the local authority in that area. They have a duty under the Roads (Scotland) Act 1984 to manage and maintain local roads in their area and duties under the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984 to secure expeditious, convenient and safe movement of traffic.

Local businesses can provide views as part of the planning application process, including comments on transport and traffic considerations and their impacts. If an application is approved, where appropriate, a condition of consent can require a finalised traffic management plan to be approved with the local planning authority and, where required, in consultation with other relevant bodies (such as Transport Scotland).

Other conditions may be imposed requiring developers to set up a community liaison group to assist with the provision of mitigation measures etc. It can be the case that the development is not permitted to commence construction until this group is established and the terms of engagement are signed off by the planning authority.

S6W-26767

Asked by: Hamilton, Rachael (Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party - Ettrick, Roxburgh and Berwickshire)

Question

To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made regarding any impact of renewables developments and resultant road closures on local businesses.

Answered by Martin, Gillian - Minister for Energy and the Environment

Road closures on the local road network are the responsibility of the local authority in that area. They have a duty under the Roads (Scotland) Act 1984 to manage and maintain local roads in their area and duties under the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984 to secure expeditious, convenient and safe movement of traffic.

The Scottish Government can, where appropriate, require a traffic management plan as a condition of consent. Assessment of any impacts from road closures would be made by the local authority when approving the finalised plan.

Apr. 23 2024

Found: reduction of the backlog as far as possible, both while still complying with Ministers’ legal duties as roads

Apr. 23 2024

Found: ) as well as those in October (15 road closures) that could be attributed to half term school holidays