McInnes calls for key North East transport projects to be included in STPR (Alison McInnes)

Alison McInnes <info@alisonmcinnes.co.uk>

McInnes calls for key North East transport projects to be included in STPR

December 8, 2008 12:00 AM

Liberal Democrat Transport spokesperson Alison McInnes has urged the Scottish Government not to ignore key transport projects in the North East when it publishes its delayed Strategic Transport Project Review next week.

This summer, Liberal Democrats wrote to the Transport Minister in support of projects like the Inverness bypass, staged dualling of the A9, improvements to the railway between Inverness and Aberdeen, the introduction of a high speed rail link to the south with links to the regional network and progress on the Aberdeen Crossrail.

Commenting, Mrs McInnes said:

"This week's statement is long overdue.

"We were promised the Strategic Transport Projects Review report this summer. Uncertainty has been hanging over the future of key transport projects for many months now.

"This summer, Liberal Democrats wrote to the Transport Minister calling for important projects like staged dualling of the A9, improvements to the railway between Inverness and Aberdeen and progress on the Aberdeen Crossrail to be included in the STPR.

"There has been great disappointment, particularly in the North East over the Government's unwillingness to commit to certain projects since taking office.

"The SNP has spouted grand rhetoric about there being no time to waste and how it is vital for business that transport infrastructure in the North East is improved. This was backed up by a survey just last week showing that over 70 per cent of businesses asked thought that the current state of the country's transport infrastructure does not fully meet their business needs.

"If the SNP is really committed to the North East it will make sure that these key improvements and projects are included in the STPR."