MP & MSP Search To Find Lollipop Person Of The Year

Banff & Buchan MSP Stewart Stevenson and MP Dr Eilidh Whiteford have given their support to the Lollipop Person of the Year 2010 event sponsored by Kwik Fit Insurance which is to be launched later this month. The event will help to raise awareness of road safety issues and highlight the importance of lollipop people to children and schools.

Commenting on the initiative, Mr Stevenson said:

“Lollipop women and men deserve a huge amount of recognition for the work they do in regard to road safety and they are greatly respected and loved by the children that they help and also by their local communities. Their dedication to the children knows no bounds and they should be highly recognised for their efforts.

“I therefore urge for all schools within the constituency to get involved in this event, detailing why their lollipop person deserves this special award.”

Dr Whiteford added:

“School pupils can also, as well as casting their vote, explain why they are nominating their Lollipop person which can include drawings, poems, songs and videos.

“To all Lollipop women and men I wish good luck, with the successful person winning £500 and the school winning the grand prize of £3,000 to spend on school equipment. Finally, for those seeking additional information, please visit: http://www.bestlollipop.co.uk/”

Stevenson Hails Funding For Banff & Buchan Fishing Industry

Banff & Buchan MSP Stewart Stevenson has welcomed the latest round of European Fisheries Fund (EFF) grants which see several businesses in Banff & Buchan receive funding to invest in new equipment. The money will help to improve profitability in the industry and secure jobs during a difficult time for the fishing industry.

Beneficiaries in Banff & Buchan include £165,790 for Peterhead based Lunar Freezing to add a new processing area within its existing cold store; £52,348 for Fraserburgh based Prime Seafoods to purchase and install a range of equipment; £21,540 for Macduff based Deveron Shellfish and £154,743 for Banff & Buchan College to provide advanced simulation training for fishermen.

Commenting, Mr Stevenson said:

“These are difficult times for the fishing industry, but I know that this latest funding will be warmly welcomed by those who benefit from it. The industry continues to support a significant number of jobs in Banff & Buchan and the sector is worth over £1 billion annually to Scotland’s economy.

“It is essential that the industry is supported in its efforts to grow and improve profitability and I am delighted that this support is being provided.

“Particularly welcome is the funding for Banff & Buchan College to provide advanced simulation training for fishermen. This will help new people into the industry and prepare them for the difficult job that fishermen do to put fish on our plates.”

Firms to compete for Intelligent Transport System (ITS) contract on Forth Replacement Crossing

Leading construction firms are set to compete for the contract to deliver traffic flow technology along the M90 in Fife as part of the Forth Replacement Crossing (FRC) scheme.

They comprise Morrison Construction; John Graham; a Joint Venture between Sir Robert McAlpine and Costain; and Forthspan, a consortium comprising Morgan Sindall; Bam Nuttall; Balfour Beatty and MT Hojgaard

The Fife works will form part of a 14 mile (22 km) ITS corridor that extends from the M9 Junction 1 at Newbridge to the M90 Halbeath Junction. Overhead signal gantries along this corridor will aim to keep traffic moving smoothly by providing traffic, lane control and mandatory speed control and information to drivers via variable message signs (VMS).

Minister for Transport, Stewart Stevenson, said:

“The FRC project is a vital part of this Government’s efforts to accelerate recovery and safeguard sustainable economic growth by investing in Scotland’s transport infrastructure

“The ITS system is an essential part of the FRC proposals and will help manage congestion, improve the reliability of journey times across the Forth and reduce the likelihood and impact of accidents.

“This latest announcement further demonstrates the positive progress being made on the most significant infrastructure development in this country for a generation and that, subject to the approval of the Forth Crossing Bill by the Scottish Parliament, the project remains on schedule for delivery on time and within budget by 2016.”

Additional benefits include the refurbishment of the M90 southbound hard shoulder, enabling it to be used as a bus lane and limiting any impact of traffic queuing on public transport journey times.

Mr Stevenson added:

“The high level of competition for this latest contract also continues to demonstrate construction industry’s significant enthusiasm for the FRC project. This will ensure a field of high-quality, experienced candidates and continue to help us deliver the best value-for-money for the public purse.”

Transport Scotland received five prequalification submissions following the publication of the Contract Notice on 2 July 2010. The top four submissions were determined following an assessment of each applicant’s financial and technical capabilities.

It is intended that these four will enter into competitive dialogue with Transport Scotland in November to discuss their proposals, before submitting a final tender early in 2011. It is anticipated the award of the Fife ITS contract will then be made in May 2011 with construction expected to begin soon after.