This item was published during the term of a previous administration that ended in April 2007
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Clackmannanshire On Track To Receive £6.5 Million For New Rail Track
09/11/2000
Public Transport in Clackmannanshire was given a massive boost today when Transport Minister Sarah Boyack announced awards from the Scottish Executive's Public Transport Fund.
Speaking at Alloa, the Minister said:
"I am here to put Alloa back on the rail map - to reconnect Clackmannanshire with the heart of Scotland and to demonstrate our commitment to public transport across Scotland. I am very pleased to make an award of ?6.5 million to Clackmannanshire council towards the reopening of the railway between Stirling and Alloa to passenger services.
"Alloa is a town which has suffered from poor public transport links over the past decades. Through the determination of the Executive to include all parts of Scotland in economic success, Alloa has started to turn the corner economically. We are matching this with a bold vision of rail services to the Wee County reversing over 30 years of separation from the rail network.
"This will restore a direct link from Alloa to Glasgow with excellent connections to Edinburgh, Dundee, Aberdeen and Inverness and is a clear demonstration that the Executive is on track to invest in all parts of Scotland.
"This is our largest ever round of awards from the Public Transport Fund and is a major commitment to improving public transport across Scotland. This brings the total number of projects we are assisting in less than two years to more than 50 totalling some ?90 million.
"I believe the number of bids to our Public Transport Fund demonstrates the commitment by local authorities to tackle traffic congestion and reduce social exclusion. This fund is providing authorities with substantial resources to take forward projects which they might otherwise be unable to afford.
"But much more work needs to be done to bring our public transport system up to the standards demanded in the 21st century. In September I announced that the Public Transport Fund would be increased to ?150 million between 2001 and 2004, I believe that this significant boost in resources together with my announcement today clearly demonstrates the Executive's commitment to improving public transport in Scotland. I look forward to seeing more bids in the future and we will issue details in the New Year about seeking bids to the next round of the Fund."
BACKGROUND
1. In April local authorities and the Strathclyde Passenger Transport Authority were invited to bid to the third round of the Public Transport Fund for projects commencing in 2001-2002.
2. Awards from the first two rounds of the Fund were announced in March 1999 and October 1999, with a total of 33 projects successfully securing funding totalling ?58 million.
3. For the third round, bids were received from 26 authorities. Nineteen have been approved. Clackmannanshire Council will receive ?6.5 million towards the reopening of the railway between Stirling and Alloa to passenger services as part of the development of an inter-regional freight route between Stirling and Dunfermline.
4. The Council will be required to submit an action plan showing how the project is being implemented, taking account of the levels of additional consent offered. This allocation will be on top of the block allocation issued to the authority as part of the agreed distribution process.
News Release: SE2888/2000
9 Nov 2000