Questions about the road layout at Shawhead flyover: EIR release

Information requested

 

Response

 

1. The number of accidents & injuries reported at the Shawhead flyover in the two years prior to the new road layout being implemented.

The new road layout at Shawhead flyover became operational on 1 June 2017. The below table shows accidents and injuries from the period 1 June 2015 to 1 June 2017. This information is correct as of 12 February 2019.

 

2. The number of accidents & injuries reported since the changes to the junction.

Some of the information you have requested is information we hold.

The table below shows the accidents and injuries reported since 1 June 2017 until 30 November 2018.

While our aim is to provide information whenever possible, in this instance Transport Scotland does not have all of the information you have requested, including information for the period beyond 30 November 2018 at this point in time. Therefore we are refusing your request in relation to this information under the exception at regulation 10(4)(a) of the EIRs. The reasons why that exception applies are explained below and in the Annex to this letter.

Under the terms of the exception at regulation 10(4)(a) of the EIRs (information not held), the Scottish Government is not required to provide information which it does not have. The Scottish Government does not have the information you have requested because injury road accidents reported to the police are recorded on a ‘Stats 19’ form. This data is then submitted to Transport Scotland by Police Scotland. Transport Scotland only holds accident information which is provided to us by Police Scotland.

It may also be useful to note that we do not hold information relating to damage only accidents (i.e. those not involving an injury). Transport Scotland only holds accident information for the trunk road network and the accident information held by Transport Scotland is subject to change, this may be due, for example, to late returns from Police Scotland, who are responsible for recording details of injury accidents.

Annual Scottish accident figures are published by Transport Scotland on a yearly basis and can be found at the following link: https://www.transport.gov.scot/our-approach/statistics/#

3. A copy of the plan which shows if there was a consultation process & if Police Scotland had an input into the change of layout.

With regard to public consultation on the project, Transport Scotland carried out an extensive public engagement exercise to inform local residents of the proposed works. A series of exhibitions were held during the development stages from 2006 to 2008, to consult on the plans for undertaking the motorway improvements. A further series of public exhibitions were held at venues in the area in October and November 2013. In addition, Public Local Inquiries were held in July 2008 for the M8 Baillieston to Newhouse scheme, and April 2009 for the M8 M73 M74 Network Improvements work to allow those affected by the projects to raise their concerns. I have included a time line of the consultation events held:

• March 2006 and October 2007 publication of draft Road Orders and Environmental
Statements, with public exhibitions: M8 Baillieston to Newhouse scheme;
• March 2007 publication of Draft Orders and Environmental Statement , with public
exhibitions: M74 Junction 5 (Raith) scheme;
• March 2008 publication of Draft Orders and Environmental Statement, with public
exhibitions: M8 M73 M74 Network Improvement scheme;
• July 2008: Public Local Inquiry : M8 Baillieston to Newhouse scheme;
• April 2009: Public Local Inquiry: M8 M73 M74 Network Improvements scheme.

A list of these exhibitions, and copies of exhibition panels and leaflets can be found at the
following link:
https://www.webarchive.org.uk/wayback/archive/20170105142900/http://www.transport.gov.scot/system/files/documents/tsc-basic-pages/TS%20M8%20M73%20M74%20Exhibition%20FINAL%20APPROVED.pdf

In addition, a public ‘Drop-In’ event regarding the works at Raith was held by SRP in May 2015 with a further event in August regarding the works at Shawhead.
Our contractor for the works, Scottish Roads Partnership (SRP) has confirmed Shawhead Junction has been designed and constructed in accordance with relevant national standards.
Police Scotland attended the independent Road Safety Audit of Shawhead Junction, and the new road layout was confirmed to be safe for operation.

 

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foi-19-00318 Tables and Annex A

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