Scottish study under way
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THERE is to be a far-ranging inquiry into I Scotland's transport system, with particular reference to road haulage operations. This was announced last weekend by Mr. William Ross, Secretary of State for Scotland, after a meeting of the Scottish Economic Planning Council.
The study will include all forms of transport, and the collated information will be forwarded to Mrs. Barbara Castle, the Minister of Transport, so that her Ministry can determine what progress can be made towards integration.
Mr. Ross said an interim report would be prepared for the Minister fairly quickly. Government departments have already started to collect data from transport opermot s. When the study is completed it is likely that the Ministry of Aviation and other relevant authorities will be consulted.
About 90 per cent of tonnage moving out of Scotland travelled more than 100 miles compared with 50 per cent in northern England and 20 per cent in the eastern and southern regions of England, said Mr. Ross. Much the same ratio applied to tonnage being moved into Scotland.
The study would determine how far rail links would be better utilized and what contribution could be made by dock improvements on both coasts.
Mr. Ross also announced that a 1,000 sq. mile area stretching from west of Dumfries to the sea at Stranraer and covering mainly mid-Galloway had been selected for a study of freight and passenger services in a rural area.
Work on Hanger Lane Underpass: Inspection work on defects in the fixings holding the roof panels of the two tunnels of the Hanger Lane Underpass on Western Avenue (A40) is now in progress between 7 p.m. on Saturdays and 5.30 a.m. on Mondays. While this work is in progress, all traffic is excluded from the tunnels, although both tunnels are not closed to traffic at the same time.