The A7 Trunk Road (Temporary Prohibition on Use of Road) Order 2024
The Scottish Ministers give notice that they have made the above Order under sections 2(1) and (2), 4(1) and 16A of the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984, which will have the effect of temporarily prohibiting vehicles on that length of the A6091/A7 Melrose – Galashiels – Carlisle Trunk Road from the Library Building, Parliament Square, Langholm, northwards, to its junction with the Buccleuch Estate (side road), at Townhead, Langholm, a total distance of 480 metres or thereby.
The Order, which is required to facilitate the Langholm Bonfire and Fireworks Event 2024 and to facilitate the Pipe band procession to the bonfire site and allow the lighting of the bonfire at the Kilgreen park will be in operation from 3rd November until 4th November 2024. It is anticipated the restrictions will be in place for approximately 30 minutes and will only have effect in relation to such part or parts of the length of road as is indicated by the appropriate traffic signs.
The Order does not apply to vehicles while being used in an emergency for fire brigade, ambulance, police or coastguard purposes or a vehicle being used for facilitating the holding of the relevant event.
Alternative Route
An alternative route is not required.
For information about roadworks on motorways and trunk roads visit the Traffic Scotland website.
S C WILSON
A member of the staff of the Scottish Ministers
Transport Scotland
George House
36 North Hanover Street
Glasgow
G1 2AD
UN Convention on the Rights of the Child (Incorporation) (Scotland) Act 2024 Compatibility Consideration and Narration of Statement of Compatibility
The Scottish Ministers have made the following statement regarding children’s rights.
“In accordance with section 23(2) of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (Incorporation) (Scotland) Act 2024 (the Act), the Scottish Ministers certify that, in their view, The A7 Trunk Road (Langholm) (Temporary Prohibition on Use of Road) Order 2024 is compatible with the UNCRC requirements as defined by section 1(2) of the Act.”
Child Rights and Wellbeing Impact Assessment (CRWIA) for The A7 Trunk Road (Langholm) (Temporary Prohibition on Use of Road) Order 2024
Disclaimer
This document is a point in time assessment of the likely effects of the The A7 Trunk Road (Langholm) (Temporary Prohibition on Use of Road) Order 2024on the rights and wellbeing of children and young people.
Scottish Government acknowledge the importance of monitoring and evaluating the impact of strategic decisions and legislation on children’s rights and wellbeing. Any information gathered during implementation of the legislation or strategic decision to which the impact assessment relates, will be used to inform future determinations of impact. Any new strategic decision or new legislation (including amending legislation) would be subject to a new CRWIA in line with the legislative requirements.
Introduction
- Brief Summary (Guidance Section 3.2, pages 16 and 17).
Type of proposal
Applicable answer: SSI
Name the proposal and describe its overall aims and intended purpose.
Key Term Definitions
Prohibition – to officially and legally not allow something.
Authorise – to give official permission for something to happen, or to give someone official permission to do something
The A7 Trunk Road (Langholm) (Temporary Prohibition on Use of Road) Order 2024allows for the temporary prohibition on the use of the length of trunk road specified in the schedule of the order on 3 November 2024 between 5pm and 9pm. This order is required to assist Police Scotland to stop traffic and escort a pipe band to a bonfire display at Kilgreen, Langholm. The order will not prevent emergency vehicles from using those lengths of road. The order will not prevent pedestrians from using that length of road at any time. The closure of this part of the A78 is to facilitate the safety of participants and viewers of during an annual community event.
Start date of proposal’s development: 18th June 2024
Start date of CRWIA process: 18/10/2024
- With reference given to the requirements of the UNCRC (Incorporation) (Scotland) Act 2024 (Annex 1), which aspects of the proposal are relevant to children’s rights? (Guidance Section 3.2, pages 17-19).
During the restriction imposed on this section of road there will be no impact on children and young people’s ability to access school and/or childcare facilities, higher or further education institutions, hospitals, places used for recreational activity and places of worship as the restriction takes place after school hours and the only event taking place in the town is the bonfire itself which local children will be attending. Walking/cycling routes will also be maintained. The closure is to maintain safety for the public when the pipe band is walking to the event and during the event itself when there will be in increase of pedestrians in the area who will be attending the event. Access for all emergency services will be maintained at all times. The only aspect relevant to children and young people both directly and in-directly is the positive impact of protecting public safety by restricting use of this section of the road for the duration of the event, amounting to roughly 4 hours maximum. Therefore, positively impacting article 6.
There was the potential for freedom of association , to be impacted however this right has the potential to be impacted as a result of the event taking place in itself and is therefore outside the scope of this CRWIA and so article 15 was ruled out. The road closure merely allows for the safe running of the event so article 6 was identified as the only potential impacted right.
- Please provide a summary of the evidence gathered which will be used to inform your decision-making and the content of the proposal. (Guidance Section 3.2, pages 19-22).
From:
- existing research/reports/policy expertise
- consultation/feedback from stakeholders
- consultation/feedback directly from children and young people
Mapping routes show that there are no facilities unable to be accessed by children and young people or their families, carers, representatives etc. as a result of this restriction.
To ensure the safe running of this event, the specified parts of the A7 road is expected to be closed for four hours maximum. Therefore, when reviewing all UNCRC requirements, the only article this order relates to is article 6, which should be positively impacted by the closure of the stretch of road.
Statistics show a decrease in the number of road traffic incidents in recent years and while we know that this looks a much broader range of incidents than those cause what this order looks to impact alone, contributing to the reduction of road traffic incidents through this order and many like it will have a positive impact on children’s right to life, survival and development.
With UNICEF reporting in their child and adolescent road safety technical guidance that ‘road traffic injuries are the leading cause of death for children and adolescents aged 5–19 years’ we look to reduce chances of this in Scotland by contributing to the improvement of road safety.
- Further to the evidence described at ‘3’ have you identified any 'gaps' in evidence which may prevent determination of impact? If yes, please provide an explanation of how they will be addressed (Guidance Section 3.2, page 22).
Not Applicable
- Analysis of Evidence (Guidance Section 3.2, page 23).
Mapping evidences showed that no facilities would have reduced access as a result of this order so allowed us to rule out impact to articles associated with this such as articles 14, 24, 28 and 31.
The statistics and guidance mentioned above demonstrate the risk children and young people in particular face in relation to road safety. As this is an A road, not closing this road was identified to have potentially dangerous consequences and therefore has the potential to have an increased risk for children and young people.
Therefore the evidence allowed us to conclude the positive impact closing the road would have on article 6
- What changes (if any) have been made to the proposal as a result of this assessment? (Guidance Section 3.2, page 23)
Not Applicable
Conclusion
- As a result of the evidence gathered and analysed against all UNCRC requirements, what is the potential overall impact of this proposal on children’s rights? (Guidance Section 3.2, page 23):
Children’s Rights (Annex 1)
Applicable answer(s): Positive
- If you have identified a positive impact on children’s rights, please describe below how the proposal will protect, respect, and fulfil children’s rights in Scotland. (Guidance Section 3.2, page 24).
As this is an A road, not closing this road was identified to have potentially dangerous consequences and therefore has the potential to have an increased risk for children and young people. Therefore, there was the positive impact closing the road would have on article 6 was identified.
- If a negative impact has been identified please describe below. Is there a risk this could potentially amount to an incompatibility? (Guidance Section 3.2, page 25).
Not Applicable
Mitigation Record
What options have been considered to modify the proposal in order to mitigate negative impact or potential incompatibility issues?
Please summarise mitigation actions taken below
Issue or risk Identified per article/ Optional Protocol
Not Applicable
Action Taken/ To Be Taken
Not Applicable
Date action to be taken or was taken
Not Applicable
- As a result of the evidence gathered and analysed against all wellbeing indicators, will the proposal contribute to the wellbeing of children and young people in Scotland? (Guidance Section 3.2, pages 26-27).
Applicable answer: Yes
If yes, please provide and explanation below:
Safe
As this is an A road, not closing this road was identified to have potentially dangerous consequences and therefore has the potential to have an increased risk for children and young people. Therefore, it is determined there would be a contribution to the safe wellbeing indicator.
How will you communicate to children and young people the impact that the proposal will have on their rights? (Guidance Section 3.2, page 27)
This CRWIA will be available and has been written in so far as possible in accessible language to allow for children and young people to understand its content. In addition, meetings within the community have taken place.
Post Assessment Review and sign-off
- Planning for the review of impact on children’s rights and wellbeing (Guidance Section 3.2, pages 27).
As part of the decision-making process, plans for reviewing the impact on children’s rights and wellbeing need to be developed.
- How will the impact of the proposal on children’s rights and wellbeing be monitored?
- When will you review and update the CRWIA if required?
As suitable alternative routes for road prohibitions and/ or restrictions are considered in the future, due regard will be given to the development of any new facilities surrounding those prohibitions and/ or restrictions which have the potential to impact children and young people, and this will be taken into consideration in future CRWIAs if this stretch of road is closed again.
.
- Sign off (Guidance Section 3.2, page 28).
Policy Lead Signature & Date of Sign Off: Alex Joannides 23/10/2024
Deputy Director Signature & Date of Sign Off: S C Wilson – 29/10/2024
Date CRWIA team first contacted:16/08/2024