The Scottish Government

Minister for Transport
Tavish Scott MSP

6 July 2006

To:

Port and Harbour Authorities
UKMPG
BPA
Enterprise networks
Visitscotland
Regional Transport Partnerships
Other key port sector stakeholders

REVIEW OF SCOTTISH PORTS POLICY

I attach considerable importance to Scotland's ports. They are an essential and dynamic part of Scotland's transport infrastructure. I want ports to develop, thrive and innovate. I particularly want to consider their development as part of Scotland's long term transport needs. Therefore, as an integral part of Scotland's National Transport Strategy (NTS) consultation, I wanted to pursue a number of particular issues, and ensure we achieve some practical outcomes.

You will be aware that the Department for Transport published its Ports Policy Review discussion document on 22 May. The Department for Transport consultation covers areas reserved to the UK Government but which have an impact on ports in Scotland. On devolved ports matters, I would be grateful for your advice on the attached questions.

If there are any other issues which you wish to raise, please do so.

Your responses to these questions will give us a clearer view of what the issues are for the ports sector, and of what role you think the Executive should have in supporting you in addressing them Some of these issues have already been highlighted separately through the scoping exercise for the Freight Action Plan, and also in evidence provided to the Parliament's Local Government and Transport Committee in its recent freight inquiry. I am conscious however that freight, although very important, covers only part of the activity and interests of ports in Scotland.

Details of how to respond are set out at the end of the questionnaire. I look forward to receiving your comments.

As noted above, the Department for Transport's consultation also covers areas reserved to the UK Government in which there is clearly a Scottish interest, and so officials are working closely with DfT as their thinking develops around this. I would therefore encourage you to respond to the DfT discussion document on those reserved matters. A link to the consultation, which closes on 1 September, is attached below.
http://www.dft.gov.uk/stellent/groups/dft_shipping/documents/divisionhomepage/611692.hcsp

TAVISH SCOTT

QUESTIONS ON PORTS POLICY IN SCOTLAND

1. Current policy framework as set out in "Modern Ports, a UK Policy" ¹

• Do you have any specific suggestions for change apart from the need to review the framework to ensure that it remains fit for purpose?
• What are the major issues for the ports sector in Scotland and how could these be addressed through a revised policy framework?
• Should Scottish policy be the same as England & Wales, or are there specific issues unique to Scotland which mean a distinct Scottish approach is appropriate?

2. Legislative framework: Do you have any specific comments on the effectiveness of:

• Harbours Act and other primary legislation?
• Secondary legislation - Harbour Orders?
• Different port structures (local authority; Trust; private sector)?

3. Environmental issues - Have we got the balance right between protecting the environment and facilitating commercial/economic activity?

• Do you have any specific proposals?

4. Economic impact

• Do we have adequate means to measure the economic impact of ports activity, in relation to employment, goods, tourism, the global economy etc. If not, how should this be addressed?
• How can awareness of the economic contribution of the ports sector be raised among the general public?

5. Training and skills

• Are there gaps in existing training on offer to the industry?
• Is there anything which prevents managers and employees from taking up training opportunities?
• Are there additional skills/expertise that managers need to acquire?

6. Connectivity

• Inland connections and infrastructure - are there any specific issues to be addressed in relation to landside connections?
• International connections - what can be done to encourage these?

7. Planning

• What are your views on how best to ensure integrated planning of transport development?
• Do you have any specific issues around planning aspects of ports activity?

8. Links with Transport Scotland/Regional Transport Partnerships

• How effectively are these links working at the moment?
• How do ports contribute their views to the planning of infrastructure and transport developments in Scotland?
• How do we ensure effective input from the ports sector and what further can the Scottish Executive do within the policy framework to facilitate this?

9. Freight links

• Are there any specific issues in relation to linkages with the freight sector and if so, how could these be addressed within devolved port policy?

10. Passengers

• How effective in your view is current ports policy in recognising passenger traffic and the requirements of passengers?
• Can anything be done to facilitate the further development of this sector?

11. Funding

• Are there any issues around funding which the ports policy should address, given the restrictions on public investment within the current UK policy and strict EU rules on state aid?

Thank you for your comments.
Please return these by Wednesday 16 August to:

Debbie Nicol
API Division
Scottish Executive
Area 2F North
Victoria Quay
Edinburgh
EH6 6QQ

or email: Debbie.Nicol@scotland.gsi.gov.uk

¹ Modern Ports, a UK Policy - November 2000 DETR http://www.dft.gov.uk/stellent/groups/dft_shipping/documents/page/dft_shipping_505279.hcsp