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The information requested is not held centrally by the Scottish Government the member may wish to contact NHS Boards directly for information locally.

The patient travel expenses reimbursement schemes provide financial assistance for patients and authorised escorts travelling to hospital appointments, according to eligibility criteria and medical requirements.

The focus of the schemes is the provision of financial support to those on low incomes in receipt of certain benefits and residents of the Highlands and Islands, recognising the access challenges faced by these patient groups. However, Health Boards also have the discretion to reimburse patient travel expenses where it is viewed to be an extension of treatment costs and deemed to be clinically necessary. This allows flexibility within the schemes for Boards to provide support, where appropriate, to those who need it but would not otherwise qualify.

Where travel is necessary, Health Boards are expected to support patients and their families in identifying and accessing available support. NHS Boards provide advice on eligibility and assistance available with bookings and advance payments, where necessary.

This is a matter for Network Rail who are wholly owned subsidiary of the UK Government.

Organised crime groups look to identify any opportunity to increase their wealth and the railway network is not immune from this threat. While it is for rail networks and British Transport Police to ensure that measures are in place to safeguard depots and the wider infrastructure, partners on the Serious Organised Crime Taskforce continue to work together through the Multi Agency Tasking and Delivery Board, based at the Scottish Crime Campus, to take measures to disrupt this illegal activity.

Decisions on applications made under sections 36 and 37 of the Electricity Act 1989 are made by the Scottish Ministers. All information relating to applications to build, operate or modify onshore electricity generating stations with capacities exceeding 50 megawatts, as well as all applications to install overhead power lines, large oil and gas pipelines, and associated infrastructure, are published and searchable on at

This information is not held by the Scottish Government. The member may wish to contact Network Rail.

Over the last 5 financial years the following has been spent on the maintenance and improvement of the A90 trunk road.

Our Operating Companies are required to carry out a range of inspections and surveys to assess the condition and performance of the trunk road network. For example, safety inspections are completed at 7-day intervals. These are primarily to identify defects that require prompt attention because they present, or could present, an immediate hazard to road users. Severe carriageway defects, such as some potholes, are classified as Category 1 Defects, which are required to be made safe when identified, following which a temporary or permanent repair must be undertaken as soon as possible and no later than 06:00 on the day following identification. Where a temporary repair has been carried out, a permanent repair is required to be carried out within 28 days. In addition to this

Lesser defects and general deterioration which do not necessitate such an immediate safety-led response are then considered with findings from our annual testing of the road network to determine future maintenance schemes. These schemes may include localised patching repairs or larger structural maintenance schemes, which are then programmed and considered against competing priorities across the Trunk Road Network

There is a total of 140 overbridges and overpasses (including footbridges on the A90 trunk road and within the Aberdeen Western Peripheral Road / Balmeddie to Tipperty Project boundary. All are in an acceptable condition. They are subjected to regular inspections to determine the integrity of the structures and identify any necessary repairs. Transport Scotland's Operating Company, Amey, has ongoing prioritised works at the structures below:

• A90 Glencarse overpass was struck by a vehicle in March 2023 and repairs were completed on 21 December.
• A90 Finavon Bridge sustained storm damage during Storm Babet in October 2023, work has been ongoing to facilitate repairs

As carriageways are designed for a specific period (a ‘design life’) based on the predicted numbers of vehicles passing over that section over a specific number of years, increased traffic volumes (particularly commercial vehicles) can accelerate their deterioration. Traffic volumes on the A90 have risen by 6% over the last five years. This change in traffic has been factored into our most recent calculation of the Road Condition Index which is used to identify where detailed engineering investigations should be focused in order to determine maintenance requirements.