Consultation on the M8 and M9 Trunk Roads (Newbridge to Hermiston Gait) (Actively Managed Hard Shoulder and Speed Limit) Regulations

We asked for views on the proposal to make the M8 and M9 Trunk Roads (Newbridge to Hermiston Gait) (Actively Managed Hard Shoulder and Speed Limit) Regulations and in particular comments in relation to the bus lane provisions.

We specifically asked for reference to operational or safety considerations by consultees in support of their comments.

We noted that consultation has been undertaken on the previous actively managed hard shoulder regulations.

Twelve responses were received to the consultation. Five of these were from organisations and seven from individuals. The respondents included a local authority, a public transport organisation, a business group and seven members of the public.

The general feedback from organisations was supportive of the intention to introduce an AMHS.

Comments were received from a number of individual consultees that referred to the use of the hard shoulder as a running lane for vehicles and the impact of the availability of the facility in an emergency. It is noted that the design maintains the hard shoulder facility for use in an emergency and provides additional emergency refuge areas.

A number of the organisations who responded were supportive of the proposals, highlighting the benefit that they will bring to public transport and the promotion of bus travel in particular.

All of the consultation responses have been carefully considered and it was not considered necessary to amend the proposed content of the Regulations.

The Scottish Ministers intend to make the regulations and lay them before the Scottish Parliament with the regulations coming in to force in time for the completion of the project.