This item was published during the term of a previous administration that ended in April 2007
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Minister presents transport paper to COHI
28/10/2002
A modern and efficient network of transport systems for
the Highlands and Islands is a top priority for the
Scottish Executive - Lewis Macdonald, Deputy Minister for
Enterprise, Transport and Lifelong Learning said today.
Mr Macdonald was addressing the Convention of the
Highlands and Islands in Oban, where he presented a
transport paper to members. The paper illustrates the
Executive's commitment to improved transport networks
across the Highlands & Islands, as well the increased
resources being targeted specifically at improving public
transport in rural areas.
In the paper Mr Macdonald confirmed the increased
funding for the Executive's Rural Transport Fund from the
recently published Spending Review. Funding of £8m for
2004-5 and of £8.5m for 2005-06 will be made available on
top of the £6.5m already announced for 2003-04.
By supporting public transport, community transport and
by assisting petrol stations in remote areas which are
under threat the Fund already provides a major boost for
transport services in the Highlands and Islands. This
funding increase will allow services to continue to operate
and enable new ones to be introduced.
Mr Macdonald said:
"The Rural Transport Fund is making a real difference to
people's daily lives who do not have access to a car and
today's announcement of a funding boost will mean that
people in the remote communities of the Highlands and
Islands will continue to benefit."
The transport paper also outlined the Executive's
commitment to vital lifeline air and ferry services and to
providing a well-maintained road network across the
Highlands.
Mr Macdonald said:
"Transport is important to all of us, that is why it is
one of the Scottish Executive's top five priorities and we
recognise the particular concerns of those living in remote
and rural areas. Nowhere is it more important to ease
movement of people as they travel to work, to school and to
shops and leisure facilities thant in the Highlands and
Islands.
"We are committed to improving and integrating all
aspects of transport in the Highlands and Islands because
it is so vital to its economic and social wellbeing. We
have set out an ambitious vision for the future of
transport in Scotland and delivering an improved and
integrated system in the Highlands and Islands is a key
part of that vision."
The Highlands and Islands Convention is normally held
twice a year and brings together the Executive, local
authorities, local enterprise companies, area tourist
boards and other organisations in the Highlands and
Islands. It is a forum for discussing a range of economic
and social development matters of importance to the
area.