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This item was published during the term of a previous administration that ended in April 2007

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Safety training centre planned

30/09/2003

Innovative plans for a new centre which will offer training in community safety were given a boost today.

The centre, which will be based inEdinburgh, will provide safety training for children and staff groups. It uses purpose-built displays of familiar settings like homes, roads, railways, playgrounds and building sites to highlight their potential dangers.

The Minister for Finance and Public Services Andy Kerr announced the Executive has agreed to grant £180,000 of additional capital consent to cover some of the costs of setting up an Education Centre for Community Safety for Edinburgh and the Lothians.

Speaking on a visit toEdinburgh, Mr Kerr said:

"This is an excellent project and I am delighted the Executive has been able to help kick-start it. Our additional capital consent of £180,000 will help cover some of the costs of establishing the centre.

"I am confident the centre will be a great success. It is a great example of partnership working delivering innovative public services and the public sector partners and private sector sponsors should be applauded for their ambition and forward-thinking.

"The centre will provide safety training for children and staff groups. It will use purpose-built displays of familiar settings to teach people about the potential dangers which can hide there. This interactive approach is a great idea.

"This announcement underlines once again that the Executive is working in partnership with local government to deliver better public services with the ultimate aim of building a betterScotland."

The Scottish Executive has agreed to a request fromEdinburghCityCouncil for £180,000 additional capital consent to cover costs associated with the ground lease for establishing an Education Centre for Community Safety, Edinburgh and the Lothians. It is a partnership project supported by all four Lothian authorities, the Police and Fire authorities and private sector sponsors. It is to be situated at the Royal Highland Showground site at Ingliston.

The centre will provide safety training for children and staff groupsfrom a wide range of settings, using a variety of purpose built displays and tableaux, such as domestic housing, roads and streets, railway, utility supply, waterways, playgrounds and building sites. Visitors will have a guided experience through the full range of settings and risks, including fire safety. Public access will also be available.

The project will be an innovative facility, and there are only a handfulof comparable centres inBritain. It will be located as one of a number of visitor attractions being developed at the Royal Highland Showground site at Ingliston.

The project is now ready for acceptance of tender and a start onconstruction.

Page updated: Wednesday, July 21, 2004