This item was published during the term of a previous administration that ended in April 2007
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Proposals for Islands' Regional Transport Partnership
21/07/2005
Plans to strengthen future transport developments in
Orkney, Shetland and Eilean Siar were unveiled today.
Transport Minister Tavish Scott announced the proposal
for a Regional Transport Partnership (RTP) when publishing
the draft orders for the new statutory RTPs, setting out
revised boundaries and membership details.
The new RTPs were a key element of the Transport
Scotland Bill to improve regional transport through:
- Provision for a more strategic
approach to planning and delivery
- Building on existing joint
working relationships
- Working in partnership with the
new national transport agency
- Bringing together local
authorities and principal stakeholders
Mr Scott said:
"We are proposing a radical solution that can meet the
transport needs of our Island communities.
"While initial discussions have been very positive, I
recognise the need for councils to consider the proposal
carefully and discuss the detail.
"We are already engaged in these discussions with the
councils to work out the necessary details, and address any
concerns. And I welcome the three councils' plans to meet
together in Kirkwall next week.
"The Islands councils already have strong links with
each other. The proposed new Islands RTP will build on
these links, and strengthen their capabilities to bring
forward transport solutions not only for the islands, but
also in their links with the Highlands and North East."
The draft orders set out the revised boundaries for the
seven proposed regional transport partnerships:
i) The West of Scotland (Argyll and Bute Council
(Helensburgh and Lomond only); East Ayrshire Council; East
Dunbartonshire Council; East Renfrewshire Council; Glasgow
City Council; Inverclyde Council; North Ayrshire Council;
North Lanarkshire Council; Renfrewshire Council; South
Ayrshire Council; South Lanarkshire Council; West
Dunbartonshire Council)
ii) The South-West of Scotland (Dumfries and Galloway
Council)
iii) The South-East of Scotland (City of Edinburgh
Council; Clackmannanshire Council; East Lothian Council;
Falkirk Council; Fife Council; Midlothian Council; Scottish
Borders Council; West Lothian Council)
iv) Central Scotland and Tay (Angus Council; Dundee City
Council; Perth and Kinross Council; Stirling Council)
v) The North-East of Scotland (Aberdeen City Council;
Aberdeenshire Council)
vi) The Highlands of Scotland (Argyll and Bute Council
(except Helensburgh and Lomond); Highland Council; Moray
Council)
vii) The Islands of Scotland (Comhairle nan Eilean Siar;
Orkney Islands Council; Shetland Islands Council)
Stage 3 of the Transport Scotland Bill 2005 was passed
by the Scottish Parliament on 29 June 2005 and Royal Assent
is expected in July.
The draft orders have been sent to all 32 local
authorities in Scotland. The drafts will then be laid in
the Scottish Parliament in late August. If approved by
Parliament the new RTPs will formally come into existence
in November 2005, but only take on their powers and become
fully operational from 1 April 2006.