Today the Scottish Government made a statement to the Scottish Parliament on the closure of the Forth Road Bridge for the next three weeks.

It was the first opportunity for the Scottish Parliament to ask the Scottish Government about the closure of the bridge and it is clear from the range of questions on maintenance, funding, and governance that we must have a parliamentary inquiry.

As someone that uses both the road and rail bridge to get from Fife to Parliament I fully understand the frustrations of commuters as they struggle to get to and from work.

I understand that the closure is especially having an impact on shift workers who many not be able to rely on public transport due to the hours that they work.

It is right that we do not take risks with the safety of the public and as such the Government were correct to shut the bridge due to structural faults.

I appreciate that Scotrail has laid on extra carriages for their peak time services but people are still being left at stations, or forced onto cramped conditions. Those who are taking the busses or car are also facing long delays on diversion routes.

It is important that the work to repair the bridge is carried out as quickly as possible to ensure that any disruption is kept to a minimum.

That is why I took the opportunity during the statement to ask for assurances from the Scottish Government that their timescale of having the bridge open by the new year will be met.

You can read a transcript of my question below:

Claire Baker MSP (Mid Scotland and Fife): It is clear from the questions in the chamber today that we would benefit from a parliamentary enquiry on this issue.

The Minister has said it is anticipated that the bridge is to be open for people returning to work in the New Year. How confident is he in the timescale and which factors might lead to a delay. It is obviously of great concern to commuters in Fife, particularly shift workers that we see the bridge open as soon as possible.  

Minister for Transport: The last briefing I had – which was just before I left the national traffic control centre where the multi-agency response is being coordinated to come to parliament – was the work is on track as per the timetable that has been published.

Factors that may change that, of course, is the fact that the works are weather dependent because we won’t have people working in unsafe conditions but we are working around the clock to get the bridge open as quickly as possible.

During Portfolio Questions in the Scottish Parliament I tackled the Education Secretary on tackling the attainment gap in Fife and used the opportunity to highlight the launch of Fairer Fife Commission’s report ‘Fairness Matters’ which took place this week in Kirkcaldy.

The Fairness Matters report recommends that “all schools in Fife…develop and deliver a plan for significantly reducing the educational attainment gap…based on what is proven to work and with dedicated financial and in-kind support.”

The report is right to highlight the work that needs to be done to address inequality and poverty throughout the Kingdom and I welcome their recommendations. They will draw together partners and provide a focus for tackling poverty in the region.

Fife Council has made great strides in tackling educational attainment in our schools and their work is a positive example for other local authorities throughout Scotland. Continue reading →

Over the weekend I was delighted to launch my pamphlet celebrating the work of the famous Fife politician Jennie Lee at well-attended events at the Lochgelly Institute and Edinburgh University.

Launching the pamphlet in Jennie Lee’s hometown and also at her old university, it was great to be able to count on the support of so many people that still love and appreciate all that she has done for arts and the Labour movement.

As someone who has grown up in Fife I know all about the work of Jennie Lee and the respect held for her by those who knew her. That is why I was determined to mark the 50^th anniversary of her ground-breaking white paper.

Her story is a great one to tell. Like Jennie, I am a former pupil of Beath High School and I was delighted to be joined by the headteacher and senior pupils as well as pupils from Benarty Primary School keen to learn about Jennie Lee.

I was also delighted that Kevin Sayers from Fife Council was able to come along and talk about the work Fife Council is undertaking with community groups to recognise Jennie’s legacy in the upcoming years.

Jennie Lee is an inspirational figure for young people in the Fife area and I am pleased that my pamphlet kick starts recognition of her work.

Continue reading →

Today I held a meeting with concerned residents in Leven to discuss my campaign against anti-social behaviour on quad bikes in the wider region.

I was pleased to be joined by local Shelagh Cooper who has campaigned with me for action following the death of her dog after it was knocked down and killed. I was also joined by Police Scotland Community Inspector Tom Brown and local councillors Jim Young and Tom Adams.

I was also pleased that so many locals joined me during my roundtable to discuss their concerns about the dangerous and often illegal use of single operated vehicles in the area.

Anti-social behaviour on quad bikes and single person operated vehicles has blighted the area for some time, causing thousands of pounds worth of damage to local farms. Continue reading →