This item was published during the term of a previous administration that ended in April 2007
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Rural petrol stations scheme expands
30/08/2004
All rural petrol stations will be able to apply for
funding from a scheme which supports the availability of
fuel in rural Scotland following a review.
The Executive has decided to remove restrictions which
prevent applications from some rural petrol stations
considered too close to other stations which had already
received a grant.
The Rural Petrol Stations Grant Scheme (RPSGS) is
administered by Highlands and Islands Enterprise and
Scottish Enterprise who will publicise the revised scheme
through their network of Local Enterprise Companies.
Priority for funding will be given to applications which
will bring the greatest benefit for local communities.
The move follows a review which found that the scheme
provides substantial travel, economic and environmental
benefits to many rural communities in Scotland, far in
excess of its costs.
Transport Minister Nicol Stephen said:
"For many people and businesses in rural Scotland, a
nearby petrol station is vital to improving convenient
travel.
"That is why the Executive is determined to support
rural petrol stations. We have made a good start with this
scheme and we now want to go further.
"Keeping rural petrol stations open reduces unnecessary
travelling which is good for local people, the local
economy and the environment. By making the scheme available
to all rural petrol stations, more communities can benefit
from this support."
RPSGS was introduced in 1998 and provides funding to
help with the costs of replacing tanks and pumps, meeting
environmental controls, and protecting the station from
groundwater.
It was extended in 2000 to include grants for the
installation of equipment which supplies the more
environmentally-friendly LPG fuel.
Funding to rural petrol stations so far amounts to £2.7
million and 61 petrol stations have received
assistance.
The review of the Rural Petrol Stations Grant Scheme
found it has:
- Prevented increased travel costs to and from petrol
stations for local residents and retained other local
services provided by the petrol station. Older people
and people on low incomes have particularly
benefited
- Prevented job losses caused by closure of the
petrol station and increased travel costs for other
local businesses
- Saved an estimated extra 280,000 vehicle miles per
annum which would result from drivers travelling to and
from petrol stations which are further away. It has
also supported the installation of almost all the
Liquefied Petroleum Gas supply in rural Scotland
The objective of the Rural Petrol Stations Grant Scheme
(RPSGS) is to "support the retention of a sustainable and
accessible network of fuel supply throughout rural
Scotland".
RPSGS has been available to petrol stations for up to 50
per cent of the cost of essential capital expenditure on
fuel supply infrastructure, subject to the eligibility
criteria of being at least eight miles from the next
nearest petrol station, of selling less than 1 million
litre per annum and of being at least 30 minutes drive from
the edge of an urban area with a population of over
30,000.
The changes to the scheme will be introduced from
October 1. The restriction on the minimum distance to an
urban area is being maintained to retain the scheme's rural
focus.
Grants awarded to date include £126,610 to Colonsay
Community Development for upgrading tanks and
pumps, £66,646 to upgrade stations on Lewis, and £16,000 to
install Liquefied Petroleum Gas equipment at a station in
Newton Stewart.