Dave Thompson MSP

Highlands and Islands MSP Dave Thompson has demanded that NHS Highland improve its engagement with the local population when making changes to the way services are delivered.

Mr Thompson (SNP) decided to write to NHS Highland chairman Garry Coutts to raise the issue after a recent visit to Skye, where he met Roddy Murray, chairman of Sleat Community Council, and was told about local anger that NHS changes had allegedly been adopted with minimal input from islanders.

Highlands and Islands MSP Dave Thompson has called for the power to order the closure of railway level crossings to be devolved to Scotland as it's retention by Westminster is out of step with other recent movements in rail legislation.

Mr Thompson (SNP) noted that responsibility for many other areas of rail transport had already been devolved to Scotland and that this missing power in Scotland made overall management of the rail network in Scotland more difficult.

SNP MSP for the Highlands and Islands, Dave Thompson, has today (Friday) congratulated Skye and Wester Ross based charity Rag Tag 'n' Textile on winning the Social Firm Category of the 2010-11 Scottish Business Diversity Awards in the Caledonian Hotel in Edinburgh last night (Thursday).

Originally founded in 2001 as a voluntary group by Cindie Reiter and a group of volunteers, the organisation became a charity in 2004 with the aim of helping people recovering from mental illness into employment through traditional arts and crafts methods with a modern twist.  The charity "up-cycles" rather than recycles unwanted textiles which have been locally donated and produces unique hand-crafted items for sale.

Highlands and Islands MSP Dave Thompson has welcomed moves by senior Highland Council officials to increase the pressure on Network Rail to install barriers on currently unprotected level crossings in the Highlands as an urgent public safety measure.

On Thursday members of the local authority's Transport, Environmental and Community Services (TECS) Committee will be asked to write individually to Network Rail and call for "improved safety measures" at open level crossings and to approve a proposal for Highland Council to work with Network Rail to accelerate this work.

Highlands and Islands MSP Dave Thompson is to join John and Jan Bryden on Saturday afternoon at the spot on the A830 between Lochailort and Glenfinnan where their teenage daughter Kirsty was killed earlier this year to inspect evidence the couple have gathered in their campaign for barriers and warning signs to be erected to prevent further accidents at the spot.

Earlier this month, Mr Thompson contacted the couple to offer his support after hearing their tragic story and being impressed by the way in which Mr Bryden, a former policeman, had amassed evidence of a worrying succession of accidents at the same spot near Lochailort where Miss Bryden and her companion Roddy MacInnes (17) were killed when their car left the road and plunged into Loch Eilt.

Highlands and Islands MSP Dave Thompson has written to Highland Council urging planners to add a condition to approval of a planning application from Tesco for deliveries to the company's store to enter from a road at the other side of the site.

For several years the use of a residential road by HGV traffic with deliveries for the store has angered residents of Craig Road, who have claimed noise from the lorries has disturbed their peace and quiet.

Highlands and Islands MSP Dave Thompson has written to Scotland's Transport Minister urging for the electrification of the rail line to Inverness to be given greater priority.

The SNP politician thanked Stewart Stevenson for his support for the Highland Chieftain Campaign but noted that this would never have become an issue if the line had been electrified in the past.

Highlands and Islands MSP Dave Thompson has hailed the start of the Scottish Government's latest upgrade of the A9 as a major step forward for driving safety in the Highlands.

Transport minister Stewart Stevenson will meet contractors and representatives from Highland Council at Etteridge Farm, just off the trunk road to launch work on the creation of a new 3.2km section of dual carriageway between Newtonmore and Dalwhinnie on a part of the important trunk route that is currently single carriageway.

Highlands and Islands MSP Dave Thompson has written to the Chief Secretary of the Treasury at Westminster to urge an end to a UK Government rule which places Scottish ski resorts at a disadvantage to their European competitors.

Crucially rules on VAT dating back to 1973 state that only vehicles capable of carrying more than 10 passengers can be classed as public transport and be exempt from the imposition of VAT. This means that bureaucrats interpret individual seats on ski lifts, which can typically carry no more than three passengers, as private transport and fares are therefore subject to VAT.

Highlands and Islands MSP Dave Thompson met teachers and pupils in Portree on Friday to hear more about an exciting project to encourage innovation and creativity in the next generation of young islanders.

Portree High School was selected for a trial study of iDiscover Scotland, a new hands-on approach to teaching and learning scientific, technological and creative subjects.

Highlands and Islands MSP Dave Thompson visited a traditional crofting community in Lochalsh to hear about efforts to help sustain this vital sector of Scotland's agricultural way of life.

Prompted by concerns about a fall in crofting activity, The National Trust for Scotland set up the Balmacara Traditional Croft Management Scheme on its estate in Lochalsh about five years ago as an example of best practice for landowners and tenant crofters throughout Scotland.