Why the Dalkeith northern bypass is now regarded as urgent and what evidence the Executive has that the current estimate of £40 million rep…

Answered Asked by Mark Ballard Green Lodged 19 Oct 2005

The question

To ask the Scottish Executive why the Dalkeith northern bypass is now regarded as urgent and what evidence the Executive has that the current estimate of £40 million represents best value for taxpayers in terms of transport options for the area, given that the multi-modal appraisal promised by it following the strategic roads review in 1999 has never been carried out.

The answer

Answered by Tavish Scott on 10 Nov 2005 · 22 days after it was lodged, on time

The Strategic Roads Review decision intended that a number of schemes, including the A68 Dalkeith Bypass, should be brought forward after the schemes approved for construction had been completed. That stage has now been reached.
The Dalkeith bypass is being taken forward as part of a range of measures to improve accessibility to the Borders, including the promotion of a new rail link. The economic benefits of the bypass have been reassessed and continue to indicate a positive return on proposed investment.

In the Official Report

No contribution in the Official Report cites S2W-19932 by reference.