Born in 1946 and brought up in Cupar, Fife, I was educated at the local school - 
Transport Minister Stewart Stevenson today marked the completion of £4 million worth of improvements to rail freight services across Scotland.
The Mossend to Elgin work will now enable up to 12.3 million lorry kilometres of freight to be transferred from the nation’s roads.
This morning Mr Stevenson saw two of the largest containers to be used on the route being loaded onto the freight train at WH Malcolm’s Depot at Grangemouth before waving it off on its journey to Aberdeen.
The train was met upon its arrival at Guild Street in Aberdeen by Councillor Kevin Stewart, Chair, NESTRANS, and Councillor Martin Ford, Chair of the North East Scotland Freight Development Group (NESRFDG).
The Mossend to Elgin Improvement work will enable larger containers – the largest of which is 9 ft 6” high - to carry up to 1.3 million tonnes of freight by rail between the central belt and the north-east of Scotland.
Clearances have been increased along 270 miles of track, involving track slewing, and lowering at 29 structures on the network. The project will keep businesses competitive by delivering more of their goods in less time whilst improving the environment by transferring freight from the roads.
Stewart Stevenson, Minister for Transport said:
“Congestion causes daily frustration to drivers, clogs our transport arteries, and is damaging to Scotland’s economy. This Scottish Government is determined to do all we can to combat the number of cars and lorries on our roads.
“This investment is vital, allowing businesses to take their lorries off our roads and onto rail. Stretching from central Scotland all the way north to Elgin, this freight project will relieve pressure on roads such as the A9 and A90. Anyone who has ever experienced the volume of heavy goods vehicles on these roads will welcome this announcement.
“This scheme will deliver real environmental and economic benefits for Scotland and I encourage freight operators, hauliers and customers to make full use of this excellent opportunity .”
Ron McAulay, Network Rail Director Scotland commented:
“I am delighted that Network Rail has been able to deliver this important project on time, and under budget.
“There are obvious advantages to transporting goods by rail. It is a more environmentally friendly option than the equivalent journey by road, it can offer a less expensive option to companies transporting freight and it allows more goods to be transported in a single journey.
“The work which Network Rail has carried out on the Mossend-Elgin link allows freight to be transferred in greater bulk and opens up greater options for freight operating companies. We believe this latest work will help to encourage even greater use of rail freight in Scotland and we look forward to working with the freight operating companies to deliver it.
NESRFDG Chair Councillor Ford said:
"Reducing carbon emissions is one of the key challenges facing us. Shifting passengers and goods to more energy efficient modes of transport such as rail is a key part of the strategy to reduce the unsustainable environmental impacts of transportation.
“This scheme also delivers economic benefits, offering a choice for the movement of containerised goods.
“Gauge enhancement is part of ‘future proofing’ the north east against road congestion and higher energy prices."
Karen Adam is now the MSP for Banffshire and Buchan Coast
