MSP Tours Local Nature Reserve

Local SNP MSP Stewart Stevenson toured the RSPB Loch of Strathbeg Nature Reserve yesterday with wardens Peter Webster and Scott Paterson.

The MSP was invited by the RSPB to visit the reserve and see at first hand the conservation work carried out there.

Speaking after his visit, Mr Stevenson said:

“Loch of Strathbeg is an important site for birds and other wildlife and is increasingly popular with visitors with a staggering 12,000 people visiting it each year.

“A new hide has recently been opened and affords fantastic views of the thousands of pink-footed geese which are arriving daily from Iceland.

“The visitor centre completes the set up with a range of informative displays and I was particularly pleased to hear that the reserve proves especially popular with parties of schoolchildren.

“Loch of Strathbeg Reserve is an excellent visitor atraction and the staff there are clearly very committed to conservation and enjoy very good relations with their neighbours and the local community.”

MSP Welcomes Peterhead Prison Investment

Banff and Buchan MSP Stewart Stevenson has today welcomed confirmation from the Scottish Prison Service (SPS) that contracts have now been signed for the installation of electric power in cells at HMP Peterhead. Work on the contract, valued at approximately £900,000, will begin immediately, and is anticipated to be complete by the end of summer 2004.

Commenting on the news, Mr Stevenson said:

“After all the delay, I am pleased that the SPS management seem to have finally got their act together and that works can now get underway. The installation of power in cells is clearly long-overdue, and this investment represents the first important step in bringing the fabric of Peterhead Prison up to a standard which befits one of the world’s leading centres for the treatment of sex offenders.

“The SPS must now turn its attention to addressing the issue of providing night access to toilets for prisoners, and I will be looking to see progress on this matter as quickly as possible.”

Stevenson Urges Local Contractors To Meet heating Programme Demands

Banff and Buchan MSP Stewart Stevenson has urged local electrical contractors to make certain that the benefit of the Scottish Executive’s grant programmes managed by Eaga Partnership Ltd is kept locally. Mr Stevenson has discovered that there is an urgent need for local businesses to state their interest for the contracts.

Commenting on the issue, Mr Stevenson said:

“The number of heating systems installed this year under the government funded scheme throughout Scotland has increased dramatically and I am determined that local businesses should take advantage of this and get the benefit.

“I was saddened to hear that if no local contractors can be found, then fitters from Central Scotland and further afield will be brought in. I therefore urge local contractors to state their interest for the contracts and put an end to the Central Belt bias that we see all too often.

“Any local business who may wish to tender for this government programme should contact my constituency office at 17 Maiden Street, Peterhead, Aberdeenshire, AB42 1EE or by phone (01779) 470444 and I will be happy to forward them contact details for them to express their interest in tendering. However, interested contractors must act quickly as the deadline is Monday 8th September 2003”.