More Cash for Coastal Communities Welcomed by North-East MSP

Stewart Stevenson MSP has welcomed the news that a host of exciting North-east coastal projects are to benefit from the first tranche of marine-sourced funding from the Scottish Crown Estate.

Aberdeenshire Council has received their allocation of £328,314 for the current financial year which will invest thousands of pounds to improve facilities across popular North-east tourist spots.

Among the eight proposed projects is Aberdeenshire Council itself who will receive £50,000 towards research into opportunities to link the Moray Coast Way with the Formartine and Buchan Way as part of the North-east Highland Way.

Other projects receiving funding include improvements to toilet facilities and disabled access at Balmedie Country Park, refurbishment of pedestrian signage from Fraserburgh town centre to the beach, harbour and Kinnaird Head, development of the Discover Fraserburgh initiative, and new maps and signage to link the Peterhead Prison Museum to the beach, port and town centre via the Peterhead Town Trail.

Banffshire and Buchan Coast MSP, Stewart Stevenson, said:

“The Coastal Communities Fund is an invaluable resource for communities in my constituency and I am delighted to see so much funding being allocated to local projects.

“I am particularly pleased that so much of this funding has gone to projects in my constituency and I hope to see even more out of this new tranche continuing to relieve pressures.

“In places right across my constituency from Fraserburgh to Peterhead, the Coastal Communities Fund will truly empower communities to solve local problems.

“The rapid increase in tourism along the coast has inevitably put pressure on parking, toileting and camper van facilities and the Coastal Community Fund has targeted funding at the places that need it most.”