Report on "Scotland's Infrastructure" Dicussion
Host: Tavish Scott MSP, Minister for Transport
Facilitator: Iain McMillan CBE, Director, CBI Scotland
Introduction
The Minister for Transport opened the meeting by introducing the three themes of the discussion: Telecoms, Planning and Transport. He highlighted the importance of investment in broadband and transport in ensuring Scotland is not at an economic disadvantage, and noted that the new Planning Bill is the first comprehensive review of the system since 1988. The Minister emphasised the need, with regard to Transport, to make long term investment plans, and how the National Transport Strategy, due to be launched before Christmas would help government make coherent decisions for the future.
Iain McMillan welcomed Parliament's engagement with businesses, noted Jim McColl's earlier suggestion that government should be setting ambitious growth targets for the future, and invited contributions from those present.
Summary of Main Points Raised
Transport
- Need joined up thinking across government - propose one Minister responsible for all infrastructure.
- Target of 3-5% growth should be included in National Planning Framework.
- Better use should be made of road budgets to enhance not just repair roads.
- Spend in rural areas must not be neglected, whilst all funds targeted on cities, or the central belt.
- Need to improve connectivity of air, road and rail. Integrated transport system essential if growth is not to be restricted. Support for Edinburgh Airport Rail Link.
- For businesses to transport their goods more efficiently, need to invest in local infrastructure within our cities. Intra-regional transport should come second, although would welcome a 4 lane motorway between Edinburgh and Glasgow.
- Priority investments? Passing places on the trunk roads leading to Cairnryan, better links to Prestwick, Kilmarnock rail link, improved links to Inverness, particularly the A96, airport at Caithness. AWP welcomed. Need to encourage business to use rail, especially supermarkets. Would like to see airport hubs developed in Scotland to compete with SE England.
- Forth Road Bridge - because of serious corrosion it will not be able to carry heavy vehicles in the future. The Forth Bridge is a vital link. We should address this now as next year may be too late.
- Minister reassured the group that the current work appraising options would be complete next May, ensuring decisions on a replacement crossing, if needed, will be provided in time.
- Railway projects are debilitated by 19th century legislation. We should have a fast new way of dealing with growth.
- There is a political side to infrastructure which is about economic objectives. We have to trust each other (public and private sector). If everything becomes a priority it means that nothing is a priority. We have not reached a stage where the whole is working better than the sum of the parts.
Planning Infrastructure
- Planning applications which used to take 1 year are now taking 3 years. The new Planning Bill will not cut the time for the planning process. Still relying heavily on local plans. Delay in obtaining planning permission costing business, often tying up capital in land for 2 or 3 years.
- There is a problem with resource - Councils do not have resource to respond to enquiries, or necessary quality of planners. We need a more entrepreneurial attitude within the planning processes. We need to turn planning applications around quickly. We need the correct level of consent. Planning applications are required to go out to a 12 week consultation. We need Planning safeguards to allow a fast track to compete with other European Countries.
- Give credit to the Scottish Executive for listening to the needs of business /public by dropping the 3rd party appeal in the planning system.
- E-plans welcome way forward - allows the applicant to view all relevant planning information electronically. The Plan led system is a critical way of addressing distrust; it is a stand alone planning system which allows planners to zone in on applications at the earliest opportunity in the planning process.
- The new Planning process has to be integrated, accessible and Local Authorities must deliver. Must ensure that it is delivered in the same way throughout Scotland.
Telecoms
- Scotland now has better broadband coverage than any other G8 country.
- How can we exploit this opportunity? Use telecom systems creatively to benefit business. Reduce our need to travel every day, encourage flexible working.
- How can we join up our infrastructure? Government could strategically drive technology so that it impacts on other areas. Use reform of rating system to target expansion of broadband through reduced charges for underground cables.
- The Highlands are a good example of where businesses, including small, are using ICT to their advantage.
Summing Up
This was a good session and reflected the fact that lots is already happening. For example, advances have been made in technology. There are also some challenges with the Planning system that the Bill may tackle. And, in Transport, the currently committed projects to complete the M74, M8, M80, the Aberdeen Western Peripheral Route and Rail links to Glasgow and Edinburgh Airports are welcome. The important question for business is what should be the next advances?
Iain McMillan
Director CBI Scotland