This item was published during the term of a previous administration that ended in April 2007
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Executive back public transport projects
23/10/2002
Four key public transport proposals in Edinburgh,
Glasgow, Aberdeenshire and Central Scotland are to be
supported by the Executive, it was announced today
The money will come from the Integrated Transport Fund
(ITF) and Transport Minister Iain Gray said they
should help make real, long-term improvements to public
transport provision.
Details will be confirmed later this year but the
projects are:
- Funds for Strathclyde Passenger Transport to take
forward parliamentary powers for the Glasgow airport
rail link (The award is expected to be in the region of
£1.5m)
- Support for a third tram line in Edinburgh catering
for the South East of the city (in the region of
£3m)
- Work with local authorities to expand engineering
development work for the Airdrie to Bathgate rail link
(in the region of £0.5m)
- Better bus access into Aberdeen and improved public
transport links (in the region of £2m)
The projects were initially assessed as part of the
applications for the fifth and final round of the
Executive's Public Transport Fund (PTF).
It was considered that these particular projects were
more suited to the strategic aims of the ITF which
contributes towards the priorities of the Transport
Delivery Report. The awards from the PTF will be announced
shortly.
Mr Gray said:
"I am delighted to be able to move our support for these
projects on today by earmarking investment from our
Integrated Transport Fund. These are all important public
transport priorities and I am committed to supporting such
projects that will make real improvements to our public
transport network.
"I want to work in partnership with the local
authorities concerned to make sure we work together to
deliver these plans. I want to improve access to jobs and
services and improvements must be made to achieve this.
"There is a lot of work to be done and we must be sure
we are getting the best value for money, however I believe
the efficient delivery of these projects will contribute
towards our vision of getting Scotland moving.
"Today's announcement demonstrates our commitment to
delivering that goal and at last making long term dreams a
reality."