This item was published during the term of a previous administration that ended in April 2007
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£2 million for Highland transport projects
11/11/2002
Transport services in the Highlands and islands have
been awarded £2.015 million from the Scottish Executive's
Public Transport Fund (PTF).
On a visit to Inverness, First Minister Jack McConnell
announced that HITRANS (the Highlands and Islands Strategic
Transport Partnership) was to receive the money for four
separate projects in Orkney, the Western Isles, Fort
William and Dunoon.
Mr McConnell said:
"Transport is key to raising economic growh in Scotland.
An integrated transport network is essential to deliver
goods and services efficiently throughout the country and
prevent those living in rural areas from being
disadvantaged.
"The money I have announced today will make a difference
to people's lives in the Highlands and Islands - from Fort
William and Dunoon to Kirkwall and Lochmaddy. It will help
make public transport more accessible through better
integration and the provision of better information.
"In rural areas it is particularly important that public
transport services - which are often less frequent than in
more populated areas - work together. We cannot have a
situation where the bus leaves five minutes before the
ferry arrives or where visitors cannot find reliable
information on when the next train leaves.
"To increase the amount of people who choose to use
public transport, we must make the whole experience faster,
easier and more efficient. Since devolution we have already
seen many improvements to Scotland's vital road, rail, air
and ferry services.
"I know more needs to be done and I know that poor
transport links can make lives difficult and hamper
businesses. We cannot turn things round overnight but
continuous improvements are happening - as the money I have
announced today shows."
Further PTF awards for communities throughout Scotland
will be announced later this week in the fifth round of the
PTF. The first awards were made in March 1999.
The money has been awarded to HITRANS to fund the
following projects:
Kirkwall - a new travel centre with
improved integration between bus and ferry services
Lochmaddy - improvements including new
shelter and passenger waiting facilities
Fort William - a wide range of measures to
improve transport including new shelters, walkways, CCTV,
cycle racks and information
Dunoon - improvements to the bus terminal,
passenger shelters and information facilities