Welcome for £330 million Investment in North-East by Scottish Government

Banffshire & Buchan Coast MSP Stewart Stevenson and Turriff & District SNP councillor Alastair Forsyth have welcomed the £330 million investment in North-east railway infrastructure by the Scottish Government.

The SNP MSP was speaking after attending a briefing with Network Rail and ScotRail officials in Aberdeen outlining the work schedule for the upgrade of the Aberdeen to Inverness line.

Commenting, Stewart Stevenson MSP said:

“Following on from the long-awaited completion of the Aberdeen Western Peripheral Route and the Balmedie-Tipperty dualling, this project represents another huge and welcome investment in the North-east’s transport network by the Scottish Government.

“The details of the project outlined by Network Rail and ScotRail officials at the briefing I attended are impressive and will deliver enhanced rail services to and from this important transport corridor once complete.

“I look forward to the next phase of this ambitious project being completed by its target date of late August.”

Councillor Alastair Forsyth added:

“People using our local stations at Inverurie and Huntly will benefit greatly from more frequent services which, once completed, this work will allow.

“This project will really help to ‘connect-up’ the North-east with the rest of the country and build on the road improvements delivered by the AWPR. More locally, improvements to the A947 will help complete the picture.”

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Network Rail will be carrying out planned closures of the Aberdeen to Inverness rail line between Saturday 4 May and Monday 19 August, commencing with Dyce to Inverurie from 4 May to 14 June. Further details available here: https://www.networkrail.co.uk/running-the-railway/our-routes/scotland/aberdeen-inverness-improvements/

Stevenson Welcomes Lottery Funding for Community Groups

Banffshire and Buchan Coast MSP Stewart Stevenson has welcomed a five-figure sum of funding for community groups.

It comes after the funding was given for the National Lottery Awards for All Scotland grant from The National Lottery Community Fund.

The Anna Ritchie Parent Council received £10,000 which the group will purchase a 16-seater wheelchair accessible minibus to transport pupils to sporting and community engagements.

A cash boost of £3,500 was received by the Cetacean Research & Research Unit (CRRU) which will be used by the group to purchase a laptop, a projector, banners and educational tools to deliver marine stewardship workshops to schools and youth groups in coastal communities in Moray and Aberdeenshire.

The National Lottery Awards For All Scotland gives groups a chance to apply for a National Lottery grant of between £300 and £10,000 for projects that aim to help improve local communities and the lives of people most in need.

Commenting, Stewart Stevenson MSP said:

“The funding received by these groups will be of great benefit to them and the work they do.

“I know the £10,000 awarded to the Anna Ritchie Parent Council will make transport much easier for getting pupils to sporting and community events.

“As an MSP for a coastal constituency, I am delighted the CRRU will be able to purchase items which will help them to visit local schools and youth groups and educate them on marine life.

“I would encourage all groups who are in need of further funding to look at applying to the National Lottery Awards For All Scotland.”

Aberdeenshire Council Urged to Make Most of Town Centre Funding

Aberdeenshire Council has been urged to make the most of its funding allocation from the Scottish Government’s £50million Town Centre Fund.

It comes after SNP Finance Secretary Derek Mackay announced plans for the fund, which aims to drive local economic growth by helping town centres fund projects such as re-purposing buildings for retail, business and community enterprise, while improving access and infrastructure.

After allocations were announced this week by the Scottish Government, it has now been confirmed that Aberdeenshire Council will receive a share of £3.2million from the new ring-fenced fund.

Now, the cash-boost has been welcomed by Aberdeenshire East MSP Gillian Martin, Banffshire and Buchan Coast MSP Stewart Stevenson and the local authority’s SNP group.

Commenting, Gillian Martin MSP said:

“This funding announcement will help to transform town centres in Aberdeenshire, including towns like Ellon in my constituency.

“The health of our town centres is vital to the economic and cultural life of our communities – and this new investment can make a real difference.

“Aberdeenshire Council must now ensure that the £3.2million is spent wisely and ensure our local town centres reap the benefits of this huge investment.”

Commenting, Stewart Stevenson MSP said:

“The SNP’s Town Centre Fund is part of a wider package of business support measures that will help drive economic activity in Aberdeenshire, helping give our local high streets a welcome boost.

“This announcement of funding is extremely welcome. Having spent some time last year visiting a range of new businesses, refreshed businesses and other community schemes I would very much wish to see this funding support innovative ideas which can support our town centres.

“In so doing, this would not only support potential new businesses but also supporting existing shops and businesses by increasing footfall and visitors to town centres.”

Aberdeenshire SNP Group Leader Councillor Richard Thomson, who represents Ellon and District, said:

"This is excellent news. I'm particularly pleased that Aberdeenshire has received such a high, above-population share of the £50m that was available Scotland-wide.

"This investment from the Scottish Government will give us the opportunity to invest in improving our town centres right across Aberdeenshire to help deliver sustainable growth and jobs, making them even more attractive places to be."

Councillor Gwyneth Petrie, who represents Huntly, Strathbogie and Howe of Alford, said:

“Huntly town centre has been deteriorating for a number of years now, and this was a major factor in the establishment of the Huntly Town Team, which is a regeneration project for the town.

“It’s by far not the only town centre which is struggling at the minute, and I’m delighted to see dedicated funding from the Scottish Government to address these issues.

“Shopping habits have changed and may not change back – funding like this means that we can begin to look at alternative uses for our town centres, to ensure that they can thrive as vibrant centres to the areas where we live and work.”