Last call for £1m station regeneration fund applications

The deadline for applications for cash from a new £1 million fund to help create new businesses and premises for community projects has been set for 1 February 2010.

The Stations Community Regeneration Fund (SCRF) was launched by Transport Minister Stewart Stevenson in May this year and has been created to bring redundant or disused station buildings back into use for the benefit of passengers or the local community.

Funding is available from Transport Scotland to contribute towards the costs of structural repairs and to provide up to 50% of the costs of fitting out station premises for their intended use.

Applicants with new business ideas or projects which benefit rail passengers or the local community are invited to apply for a funding contribution.

The fund has already received strong demand from businesses and community groups around Scotland since its launch and Transport Scotland is keen to hear from more groups or organisations seeking funding.

Head of Network Relations and Futures at Transport Scotland Gary Bogan said:

"The Stations Community Regeneration Fund has already received some excellent applications and we want to ensure everyone has the chance to access this money.

"Targeted investment like this can lead to a real improvement in the station environment by bringing redundant buildings back into use, new employment opportunities can be opened up and communities benefit through the creation of new local facilities.

"The deadline is now looming and we would encourage anyone still interested in accessing funding to pull their application together soon."

The Stations Community Regeneration Fund will be managed and administered by ScotRail with applications being evaluated by Transport Scotland. Funding for the scheme has been made available following the decision to extend the ScotRail franchise with FirstGroup until 2014.

Anyone seeking more information should contact ScotRail at SCRF@firstgroup.com or by telephone on 0845 601 5929.

The scheme is one of 28 initiatives which will benefit from an investment fund of more than £70 million, managed by Transport Scotland, which has been created to improve Scotland's railways.