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Meeting of the Parliament 13 January 2011

13 Jan 2011 · S3 · Meeting of the Parliament

Item of business

Freight Facilities Grants

Scott, John Con Ayr Watch on SPTV

I congratulate Cathy Jamieson on securing the debate, which is relevant to Ayrshire and South Ayrshire, in particular, which we both represent. The freight facilities grants have had a very beneficial effect on the whole of Scotland, from Thurso to Galloway, and their importance in keeping freight off our roads and in developing freight modal shift should be regarded as a success. I support Cathy Jamieson’s comments about the benefits of the scheme.

In Ayr, Associated British Ports, which is known locally as ABP, received one of the biggest awards in the scheme—more than £4 million—to bring in timber, which has had a positive economic impact on the ports of Ayr and Troon as well as on rural communities in Argyll. The grant award kick-started timber shipping on the west coast of Scotland and brought timber from Campbeltown, Ardrishaig, Portavadie and Sandbank mainly to Troon for onward transmission to Wilson’s sawmills in Troon, the Caledonian paper mill in Irene Oldfather’s constituency and the Egger chipboard plant in Cathy Jamieson’s constituency.

That investment has played a vital role in sustaining jobs at those facilities, which must be recognised. However, the withdrawal of the scheme is now threatening economic development at the Ayrshire ports in my constituency, which is a matter of great concern to me. Indeed, a project has been threatened by the abrupt withdrawal of the freight facilities grant, with meetings with Government transport teams being cancelled recently at very short notice. That is a matter of the utmost concern to me. Commercial confidentiality does not allow me to give more details, in this most public place, of the proposal that has been put in jeopardy, but Government officials and, I am certain, the minister will be aware of the project to which I am alluding, and of the meeting that was scheduled for 15 November to discuss the project that was cancelled by Government officials.

I acknowledge the historical benefit of the scheme but greatly regret its withdrawal, in effect, because the economic benefit that its further application would have brought to my constituency will not now be enjoyed by my constituents. Further, the jeopardising of the proposal at Grangeton, in Cathy Jamieson’s constituency, has an impact on my constituents as well, as many people travel from Ayr, Prestwick and Troon to take up employment in her constituency. Like her, I would like the grants to be reinstated.

I understand that the Government must make savings in its budgets. However, the obvious benefits of the scheme throughout Scotland, in terms of economic development, greenhouse gas reductions and, therefore, the meeting of climate change targets, mean that it is not a scheme to cut. In addition, given the fact that the roads maintenance budget is already a headache for the minister and councils throughout Scotland—particularly South Ayrshire Council—it is vital that other modes of transport be used for freight transfer.

In summary, the multiple benefits that the scheme supports and provides should not be put at risk by the proposed reduction in funding from £10.3 million to £2.9 million in this year’s budget. Such a proposal is truly short-sighted and goes counter to many of the Government’s and the Parliament’s stated aims and agreed targets. Considering the relatively modest sums that are involved, in the context of the overall budget, I ask the minister to discuss the matter further with the Cabinet Secretary for Finance and Sustainable Growth with a view to restoring the freight facilities grant in full in this year’s budget and thereafter.

17:30

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Meeting of the Parliament 13 January 2011

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