Get the latest from Highlands and Islands MSP John Finnie

Scottish wetland wildlife at risk warn Scottish Greens

Wed 15 Jan, 2020

Scotland’s wetland wildlife is at risk because of inadequate protection from the Scottish Government, the Scottish Greens have warned.

Wetlands account for 10% of the UK’s biodiversity, including some of the rarest species, but the Scottish Government has insisted they are protected by the Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) designation.

Queensferry crossing commute has become major problem, MSPs warned

Thu 9 Jan, 2020

Commuting into Edinburgh from Fife by car has become “a problem” which can only be solved by better public transport, MSPs have been told.

Speaking to the Rural Economy and Connectivity Committee, Ewan Kennedy, Transport and Planning Manager at the City of Edinburgh said traffic has increased to 60,000 cars coming into Scotland’s capital every morning.

With traffic growth going “in the wrong direction”, the congestion and resultant pollution has created “a huge issue” for communities that the A9 passes through, such as Crammond, he said.

Finnie welcomes HIAL resolution

Fri 3 Jan, 2020

Responding to reports that Highlands and Islands Airports Limited and Prospect have reached a resolution in the long running pay dispute, Scottish Greens Transport Spokesperson John Finnie MSP said: 

Greens urge government to reconsider rail fare rise

Thu 2 Jan, 2020

The Scottish Government should reconsider the rail fares rise following another year of delays, cancellations and overcrowding on ScotRail services, according to Scottish Greens Transport Spokesperson John Finnie MSP.

John Finnie MSP said:

“It’s wrong to ask passengers to pay significantly increased fares when so many have had to deal with poor services over the last year. Delays, cancellations and overcrowding are experienced by passengers all too often.

Ministers must up cycling rates

Mon 30 Dec, 2019

The Scottish Government must move quickly to increase the number of people cycling on daily journeys after it failed to reach its target that 10% of everyday journeys would be made by bike by 2020, according to Scottish Greens Transport Spokesperson John Finnie MSP. 

The latest Transport Scotland statistics reveal that around only 2% of everyday journeys are made by bike, despite Scottish Ministers having had the 10% target in their cycling action plan for at least ten years. 

John Finnie MSP said: 

Greens welcome end of ScotRail franchise

Wed 18 Dec, 2019

Scottish Greens Transport Spokesperson John Finnie MSP has welcomed an announcement from the Scottish Government that the Abellio’s tenure as ScotRail franchisee is to be ended. 

In a statement to parliament this afternoon, Cabinet Secretary Michael Matheson indicated that the franchise will come to an end in 2022, and will not be ‘rebased’. 

John Finnie MSP said: 

New research shows need for transport transformation

Wed 4 Dec, 2019

New research by the Scottish Parliament Information Centre (SPICe), published today, shows a staggering increase in the cost of public transport in the last 20 years, while the cost of motoring has plummeted by a quarter in the same time period.  

The research shows that while the cost of motoring has fallen by 24%, rail fares have increased by 38%, and bus fares have rocketed by 80%. The proportion of distance travelled by bike in the period is unchanged, but that the proportion of journeys made by foot it down. 

Greens respond to Calmac legal action

Wed 4 Dec, 2019

Responding to reports that Calmac has raised legal proceedings against the Scottish Government over the awarding of the contract from the Northern Isles Ferry Services, Scottish Greens Transport Spokesperson John Finnie MSP said:

John Finnie: Scottish Government must seek section 30 order

Wed 20 Nov, 2019

Scottish Greens MSP John Finnie has called on the Scottish Government to seek an order under section 30 of the Scotland Act 1998, to allow Ministers to fully incorporate the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child into Scots law.

Mr Finnie, who recently steered the Children (Equal Protection from Assault) (Scotland) Bill through parliament, made the call in response to a statement from Education Secretary John Swinney this afternoon.

Although most measures contained within the convention are devolved a number, including military recruitment, are reserved.