Michael Matheson: Last News

Get the stories that matter to you sent straight to your inbox with our daily newsletter.Roads chiefs have said a recently announced review of the A9 dualling project will not impact on the council’s looming Cross Tay Link Road project.Transport Scotland made the statement after Perth councillor Chris Ahern wrote to Scottish transport minister Michael Matheson raising concerns the review could interfere with the local authority’s plans to link the A93 and A94 to the A9 via a new crossing northwest of Perth Racecourse.The Scottish Conservative said in his letter he was worried the review of the £3 billion dualling project might result in it being stretched far into the future or even stopped altogether, and this might have a knock-on effect

Prestwick Airport.Transport Secretary Michael Matheson has confirmed today that a new "preferred bidder" has been selected for the flight hub.It follows the sale to a previously undisclosed preferred bidder - believed to be AGS Airports - falling through five months ago.Scottish Government Ministers had formally put the airport up for sale in 2019.Mr Matheson said: “Since the Scottish Government bought Glasgow Prestwick Airport (GPA) in 2013, we have been clear that it is our intention to return the business to the private sector when the time is right.The Ayrshire Live app is available to download now.Get all the local news in your area – plus features, football news and the latest on the coronavirus crisis – at your fingertips 24/7.The

East Kilbride-Glasgow Central railway as part of a multi-million-pound investment in the route.Commuters and local politicians have long campaigned for much needed improvements to line with Transport Secretary Michael Matheson admitting it wasn't "up to scratch" when he visited EK station last September to announce plans.The Network Rail managed project will see the railway transformed to accommodate quieter, more environmentally friendly electric trains, while increasing the frequency of services and improving network resilience.It will also include the upgrade of East Kilbride station, the relocation of Hairmyres station to a site 600m west of its current location, as well as route-wide platform extensions, accessibility upgrades,

talked up the idea of linking Portpatrick in the south-west of the country with Larne in Ulster, a distance of around 20 miles.The UK Government commissioned last year the chairman of Network Rail, Sir Peter Hendy, with coming up with ideas to better connect the four home nations.By far the most ambitious of the proposals being considered is a so-called "fixed link" between Scotland and Northern Ireland.Critics claim the cost of bridging the 20 mile-long North Channel - a busy shipping lane known for rough seas - would be astronomicalHolyrood transport secretary Michael Matheson has previously dismissed the idea as a "vanity project" dreamed up by Johnson and his Tory ministers.But reports today suggest the proposal remains alive and could

Council agrees one per cent rent rise for tenantsStrathtay councillor Grant Laing chipped in to say he had seen an email suggesting the reason nothing has been confirmed about any adjustment to the platform so far was because there had been some uncertainty around whether the station would have to be shifted to accommodate work to dual the A9.However, he added he was now sure the station would be staying put and urged the council to keep asking for changes to be made, saying it was “ridiculous” station staff have to fetch portable steps to assist some passengers on and off trains at the moment.The discussion came just a week after Mid Scotland and Fife MSP Murdo Fraser told the PA he had written to transport minister Michael Matheson to ask

Beast from the East 2' is due to wreak havoc for commuters following an upgraded amber warning for nine inches of snow across Scotland.The Met Office forecasts snow showers will continue during Monday night and Tuesday with large build-ups in parts of the central belt.Some three inches of snow is expected to lie fairly widely on Tuesday while it could reach nine in one or two spots.Transport Secretary Michael Matheson said: “We’re being warned that parts of Scotland are expected to face another period of challenging weather, with the Met Office issuing an amber snow warning for Tuesday.“The current Covid-19 restrictions mean you should only be leaving your home for an essential purpose, so please consider if your journey is absolutely

Get the stories that matter to you sent straight to your inbox with our daily newsletter.A CENTRAL Scotland MSP has raised her concerns over surface water on the M8.Margaret Mitchell also questioned transport secretary Michael Matheson about the next evaluation of the M8 M73 M74 Motorway Improvements project.She highlighted how surface water and flooding frequently occurs on parts of the upgraded M8 during heavy rain, which results in warnings for drivers to take extra precautions on the road.Mr Matheson responded by saying he wasn't aware of specific issues but did confirm he would ask officials to "look into this issue and get in touch with the Trunk Operating company".Ms Mitchell added: “There have been countless instances of warnings to

remain indoors under emergency laws introduced last week unless they are heading to shops for essential items, going out to exercise, or they cannot work from home.

Dubai to self-isolate.A statement issued tonight says that from 4am tomorrow travellers from the UAE city must stay indoors for ten days as it was placed on the quarantine list.Anyone who has come from Dubai since January 3 must also isolate for the period from the time they arrived back.The Scottish Government statement says the decision came due to passengers who have flown into Glasgow from Dubai since the New Year.Transport Secretary Michael Matheson said: “It is evident, both in Scotland and in countries across the world, that the virus continues to pose real risks to health and to life and we need to interrupt the rise in cases.“Imposing quarantine requirements on those arriving in the UK is our first defence in managing the risk of

cables.

Our Politics newsletter is now daily.

Former Stirling miners are among hundreds set to be pardoned over criminal convictions received during the 1980s Miners Strike.An independent review established by the Scottish Government has proposed the move, which would also cover miners who have since died.A review, launched by then-Justice Secretary Michael Matheson in 2018 and chaired by John Scott QC, has found that most convictions would not be upheld today, and that punishments were handed out in a “grossly excessive manner”.The year-long nationwide strike began in 1984 following a dispute between the miners’ trade union and the state-run National Coal Board over planned colliery closures.Opposition was led by Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher’s Tory ­government in a bid to break

passengers again until October, Transport Secretary Michael Matheson has said. Investigators are still examining the cause of the Stonehaven rail crash last month, but are finding it "very difficult" to access the site, he added.

Stonehaven rail tragedy will examine whether defence work against adverse weather conditions needs to be “stepped up”.Scottish Transport Secretary Michael Matheson travelled to the town on Thursday where he praised the response of emergency services in dealing with the tragedy.Officials have pledged to find out what caused the train to derail - killing three people and injuring six others - in a bid to prevent similar tragedies happening.Hundreds of heartfelt tributes have been paid to driver Brett McCullough and conductor Donald Dinnie who lost their lives on Wednesday.It is understood that a landslide may have played a part in the accident after the area was battered by stormy weather in the hours before.Mr Matheson claimed adverse

transport secretary said the network has to move at "greater pace" to deal with the increased challenge of severe weather as the probe into yesterday's fatal train crash continues. Michael Matheson said Network Rail was already looking at mitigation across the country to address the impact of climate change and intense localised rainfall.

Talks to sell Prestwick Airport have been placed on hold by the coronavirus crisis.

Ministers have announced £10m for “pop up” walking and cycling routes to aid social distancing.

Click here for more news from the Airdrie and Coatbridge AdvertiserHolyrood transport, infrastructure and connectivity secretary Michael Matheson said: “The Covid-19 pandemic has been an unprecedented global crisis which has fundamentally changed every aspect of our lives.“This further investment into the Glasgow city region deal from our total funding of £500m will support the region to plan its economic recovery from Covid and thrive in the future.”

lockdown, Michael Matheson warned people to "leave space on public transport for those who need it most" amid experiencing some "major changes".He also urged employers to carefully manage their phased returning of staff to work with figures suggesting up to 55% of employees could travel to their normal workplace in this phase.When Scotland was in full lockdown, the figure was just 30%.It could also result in an increase in the number of passengers on public transport by around by a third from the current levels of around 225,000 per day.ScotRail has also announced it will provide face masks for free at more than a dozen stations on Monday.Matheson said: "First of all I want to pay tribute to those transport operators and workers who have

The Scottish Government is to reveal its plan on how people can get around when lockdown restrictions are finally eased amid fears that public transport could become crowded.