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SEStran and partners welcome budget commitment to new Forth Crossing

Date: 18th September 2009

SEStran and its partners welcome the Scottish Government’s continued backing for the new Forth crossing, but are appealing for a formal commitment towards public transport to be made, in any Bill relating to the project.

 

Officers and elected members from; SEStran, City of Edinburgh Council, West Lothian Council, Fife Council and Forth Estuary Transport Authority (FETA) reached a consensus, that a Public Transport Strategy should be added to the draft Bill, before the legislative process begins. 

 

SEStran Chair, Cllr Russell Imrie, has written to Finance Secretary John Swinney and Transport Minister Stewart Stephenson, seeking an early meeting, to ensure that the views of SEStran and its partners are included in the draft bill.

 

SEStran Chair, Cllr Russell Imrie said:

 

“We are pleased to see that the new Forth Crossing is among the infrastructure projects that have been protected in the current financial climate. The government plainly appreciates the importance of the new bridge to the economic future of the region and of Scotland as a whole.”

 

“But It is essential that a commitment towards major improvements in public transport across the Forth is included as part of the bill process. That way we can ensure that the right level of public transport is provided for travellers crossing the estuary”.

 

“The construction of the new crossing is a once in a lifetime opportunity to ensure that high- quality public transport options are available to everyone crossing the Forth”.

 “SEStran and its partners are committed towards establishing public transport as the mode of choice for most travellers in the region. If that is to be achieved, public transport must be part and parcel of the Bill before the legislative process begins.”

“Including a Public Transport Strategy within the bill now will ensure that future delays are avoided.”

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, the Lothians, Edinburgh, Fife, Falkirk and Clackmannanshire.

For further information, please contact:

Andrew Dougal, SEStran Communications OfficerT

: 0131-524-5161

M: 07889-010-291

E: Andrew.dougal@sestran.gov.uk