A82 Frequently Asked Questions 6 March 2008   Which organisations are represented in the A82 Partnership? The Partnership includes community councils, chambers of commerce, retail associations, Councils, Highlands & Islands Enterprise, Fire, Police and Ambulance.  HITRANS, Calmac, the National Trust for Scotland, OCUK and other community companies are members.   Members are drawn from Highland and Argyll & Bute, with links to Skye and the Western Isles.   Why is there a need for a campaign? We have seen other strategic roads in the country being steadily improved but little on the lifeline A82.  Although some works have been identified, Transport Scotland is presently carrying out a review of the entire Scottish trunk roads programme covering the period 2012 – 2022.   It is far from certain that A82 improvements will appear in the final programme and now is the time to influence the Scottish Government to ensure that the A82 gets the priority that the West Highland community deserves.   What is the A82 Route Action Plan (RAP)? A Route Action Plan was prepared for Transport Scotland in February 2006. This identified a series of improvements valued at £16M to be undertaken by 2012 and others totalling £74M by 2017. The RAP was endorsed in April 2006 when the Transport Minister at the time, Tavish Scott, confirmed that the first £16M would go ahead.   The details of the RAP can be seen on the Transport Scotland website at http://www.transportscotland.gov.uk/reports/publications-and-guidance/road/a82-tarbet-to-fort-william-route-action-plan-study.   What improvements have been funded and when will these works be completed? A summary appears inside our Campaign leaflet and the details are on the Transport Scotland website above. The plan includes work at Pulpit Rock, the Crianlarich Bypass and other minor widening by 2012.  The programme for 2012 to 2017 includes sections from Tarbet to Inverarnan, Loch Tulla and some sections from Corran Ferry to Fort William.   The real timing is much less certain, however, with only the first £16M of the £90M committed.   That sounds good, so what is presently being reviewed? The entire Scottish trunk roads programme is being reviewed at the moment, under the Scottish Transport Projects Review (STPR).  This means that each transport project across Scotland is being reconsidered afresh and will need to earn its place in the new construction programme that will cover the period from 2012 to 2022.    This is why it is so important that the Scottish Ministers and MSPs are left in no doubt of how the West Highland community feels about the A82.   When will the Strategic Transport Projects Review (STPR)  be carried out? It is already underway now and will conclude over the summer of 2008.  So it is important that the community continuously emphasises its feelings at least from March to August 2008.   The Strategic Transport Projects Review (STPR) covers the period up until 2022. Surely we cannot wait another 14 years to have the improvements completed? No, the A82 Partnership will be campaigning not only to have the work included in the STPR but also to have it completed as early as possible.   Does the A82 Partnership feel that the projects identified in the RAP are sufficient? No. The projects identified in the RAP are only the start! There is a clear need for further improvement from Corran Ferry to Fort William (the RAP only includes 4 km) and on sections from Fort William to Inverness.   Why is the emphasis of the Campaign on the Tarbet to Fort William length of the A82? The Route Action Plan followed some earlier work that examined the A82 as the main corridor for goods and services to be transported in and out of the West Highlands, Skye and the Western Isles. It is a vital lifeline route carrying business traffic, visitors and local commuters.   In addition, the A82 from Balloch to Invergarry, then the A87 to Uig is an official Trans-European Route which gives it a higher status than the northern section to Inverness.   How does the standard of the A82 affect our economy? An Economic Appraisal was completed in September 2005 and formed part of the basis for the Route Action Plan.  This can be seen on the HITRANS website at:    http://www.hitrans.org.uk/downloads/ROADS/A82%20Final%20Report.pdf   This report recognised that the standard and condition of the road was affecting the potential growth of the West Highlands, Skye and the Western Isles, with a population of around 77,000. It was estimated that there would be direct additional income to Scotland of £313M (discounted) over the period 2010 - 2039 if certain works were completed.  This would make a significant contribution to the Scottish Government's target GDP growth rate.   Why is the e-petition to the Scottish Parliament so important? E petitions are the official system that the Scottish Parliament has set up to allow folk to make their views known.  Representatives from the Partnership are likely to be invited to appear at the Petitions Committee and may be referred on by them to the Transport Committee. We are also very keen to ensure that the Campaign gets cross-party support in the Parliament.   It is essential that the Partnership can demonstrate very significant public support for the Campaign.     How do I sign the e-petition and by when must I do it? By visiting the Scottish Parliament website at:  http://epetitions.scottish.parliament.uk/  Click on ‘Go to current e-petitions’ and you can then ‘sign’ the petition on line.   The closing date for signatures is 4th April.   What else can I do to help? It is very important to write to your MSPs at, The Scottish Parliament, Edinburgh, EH99 1SP.    The Minister with particular responsibility is Stewart Stevenson, the Transport Minister.  Also important are Jim Mather, the Enterprise Minister, and Fergus Ewing, the Community Safety Minister. All MSPs have some role and wide support is essential.    E-mail addresses can be found on the Scottish Parliament website at: http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/  where you can also find the list of MSPs for your area.   How can I best stay aware of what is happening in the Campaign? Through the A82 Partnership website at  www.A82.org