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Transport Minister Takes Delivery of revised RTS

Date: 29th April 2008

29 April 2008   

For Immediate Release

Transport Minister takes delivery of SEStran’s revised Regional Transport Strategy (RTS)

Key document is handed over at launch of Freight Partnership

SEStran chair Cllr Russell Imrie handed a revised copy of the SEStran Regional Transport Strategy (RTS) to Transport Minister Stewart Stevenson, at the launch of SEStran’s new Freight Quality Partnership.

The original strategy was presented to Transport Minister, Tavish Scott, on 31st of March 2007. Following the general election and subsequent change of administration, the RTS was returned to SEStran for revision.

Although the objectives contained within the strategy remain the same, changes in, and levels of, local authority funding have made implementation a longer-term aim than originally envisaged.  SEStran have therefore focused upon a prioritised approach towards investment, which takes into account the new funding arrangements.

SEStran Chair, Cllr Russell Imrie said:

“The new realities of public authority financing, following the Government’s Comprehensive Spending Review have obliged us to reconsider how best to achieve our goal of building an integrated transportation system for SE Scotland”.  

“The revised RTS takes account of the new funding arrangements, without undermining our long term objectives. SEStran remains committed towards building a transport system for South East Scotland that is comprehensive, sustainable, socially inclusive and which meets the needs of business”.  

ENDS

SEStran - South East of Scotland Transport Partnership - is one of seven new Statutory Regional Transport Partnerships (RTP) created by the Transport (Scotland) Act 2005 and is a partnership of eight local councils covering the Borders, East Lothian, Midlothian and West Lothian, Edinburgh, Fife, Falkirk and Clackmannanshire.

For further information, please contact:

Andrew Dougal, SEStran Communications Officer

T: 0131-524-5161

M: 07889-010-291

E: Andrew.dougal@sestran.gov.uk