This item was published during the term of a previous administration that ended in April 2007
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End to pier pressure on Islay
04/08/2004
The pier at Bruichladdich on Islay, a vital lifeline for
the island's whisky industry, is to be upgraded to
accommodate the double-hulled fuel tankers now required by
European law.
Enterprise Minister Jim Wallace announced a £500,000
funding package during a visit to Islay and said this would
remove the threat that fuel would have to be transported by
road from England and significantly increase costs for the
island's distilleries.
Jim Wallace was speaking as he visited Port Askaig where
a £6.3 million investment is already underway to improve
the facilities for ferries, fishing boats and road
traffic.
Jim Wallace said:
"The whisky industry is the economic lifeblood of Islay.
The pier at Bruichladdich is the lifeline that receives 11
million litres of fuel each year to service that industry.
I am very pleased to announce today that I have approved an
award of £500,000 to enable the pier to be upgraded to
allow modern double-hulled oil carriers to berth at the
pier.
"Without this investment there was a real threat that
oil companies would have had to revert to road and ferry
transportation leading to a steep rise in costs for the
many distilleries on the island.
"This is an excellent example of how European funding
can be used to help sustain rural communities. The
Executive is committed to growing the Scottish economy and
the European Union can support our policies in this
respect. This project shows how working together at a
local, national and international level we can deliver real
benefits for people which will assist them in their daily
lives."
The Highlands and Islands Special Transitional Programme
was approved by the European Commission in August 2000. It
provides around E300 million (£185 million) over the
2000-2006 period to support projects that contribute to the
economic development of the area.