The importance of transport

APTSec sent the following by e mail on to 3 MSPs and our MP on 310809:


{The subject of transport figured heavily as work was done this weekend on a number of planning related items for the APT Blog.

It has become clear that the provision of transport infrastructure is absolutely and unarguably vital to the success of any proposals within the forthcoming Development Plans for the Highlands.

The public are being advised that they can participate in a consultation on the Main Issues Report for the Highland wide Local Development Plan but without access to further information on transport issues from Transport Scotland this participation will be severely restricted. The committee is aware that The Highland Council has a blog and is having meetings with community councils across Highland.

I believe wholeheartedly, based on the hard work and experience of APT, that a public meeting MUST be held with members of Transport Scotland to enable members of the public to determination from first hand information the status of any transport issues. I also believe that this meeting should take place in the interests of openness and transparency. If the public is denied access to direct and unfiltered information then it will be a significant barrier to participation.

Our Group is uncertain as to how such a meeting could be set up but feel that the likelihood of the meeting taking place would be enhanced through the support of our local politicians.

The committee has noted that Transport Scotland meets with The Highland Council and representatives of Transport Scotland have spoken at a developer’s forum which a few Community Councillors attended – the developer’s forum however was never intended to have a public focus.

I will be sending this e mail to:

Fergus Ewing MSP
Peter Peacock MSP
Mary Scanlon MSP
Danny Alexander MP

I look forward to your reply.

The consultation on the Main Issues report officially starts today for 10 weeks. The issues are hugely complex and we would need the meeting to take place within the next 6 weeks (8 at the latest) to allow time for members of the public to submit their responses to the consultation.}

So far APTSec has had 2 replies.