Invest in North East transport links - McInnes

12.00.00am GMT Tue 2nd Dec 2008

Aberdeenshire MSP Alison McInnes has written to the Transport Minister to urge him to direct some of the money from the ScotRail re-franchising to go towards supporting local transport links.

Extending the ScotRail franchise has given the Government a fund of £70million to re-invest in transport schemes, some of which could go towards improving rail services and connections in Aberdeenshire.

Commenting, Mrs McInnes said: "Allocating some of these funds to the North East would mean a real boost for our local services.

"I've asked the Minister to support my vision of truly integrated public transport links across the region, by investing in better bus links to transport hubs and improved services on the Aberdeen-Inverness rail line.

"By introducing direct buses from Dyce train station to Aberdeen Airport, and from Aberdeen station to the ferry terminal, we could help make public transport the automatic choice. I hope that is a goal that the Minister shares."

The calls were backed by Cllr Peter Argyle, Chair of Aberdeenshire Council's Infrastructure Services Committee, who added: "There is a real opportunity here for the Scottish Government to show strong commitment to improving the transport infrastructure of the North East.

"Aberdeenshire Council's ambitions for the economic and social vitality of the North East are built around significant and sustainable improvement of public transport and of transport links in general.

"I would totally support the proposal to direct some of this £70m funding towards these important projects."

Ends