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MSPs Welcome Rannoch Freight Development

The news that funding has been granted to develop a rail facility and improve freight handling between Rannoch and Irvine ahs been welcomed by MSP Murdo Fraser.

The MSP now wants Transport Scotland and the Scottish Government to set up a ‘Rail Freight Consortium’ between Perth and Inverness in order to take Heavy Goods Vehicles (HGVs) off the A9.

The £250,000 grant from the Scottish Government to improve freight facilities between Rannoch and Irvine will remove 180,000 lorry miles per year from Scotland's roads.  The Freight Facilities Grant (FFG) will go to CSP Forestry and UPM Tilhill, with £192,300 of the funding going to CSP Forestry and £58,600 to UPM Tilhill.

The award to CSP Forestry is for mobile and handling equipment for the movement and loading of timber on to the train, and the grant to Tilhill is for the provision of a rail line-side loading facility.

A9 HGV Reduction

Murdo Fraser now wants Transport Scotland and the Scottish Government to reduce the number of HGVs on the A9 ‘Perthshire Corridor’ between Perth and Inverness.  That is why he is calling on Transport Scotland and the Scottish Government to instigate a viable ‘Rail Freight Consortium’, which will encourage supermarkets, retailers and businesses to transport their goods by rail instead of using the A9.

Commenting, the MSP said: “I welcome the development of improved freight between Rannoch and Irvine. Many of the timber lorries that use the narrow and twisting roads around Loch Rannoch and Loch Tummel will now be gone and this is a major bonus to the many tourists that come to Highland Perthshire and use these scenic roads.

“The Scottish Government states that it wants to encourage businesses to think about how they transport their goods.  I want the Scottish Government to help businesses in our area and actively encourage them to use rail freight instead of the roads." 

Rail Freight Consortium

He contined: "However, I believe that we will only see a real reduction of HGVs on the A9 if a ‘Rail Freight Consortium’ is set up between Perth and Inverness, which will allow businesses to transport their goods by rail instead of via the A9. 

“The ‘Rail Freight Consortium’ will make rail freight between Perth and Inverness economically viable as many businesses will be using it together.  Just now there are far too many HGVs on the A9 and they cause tailbacks and frustration for drivers, which can lead to accidents on the road.  I want to see action taken by the Scottish Government to take HGVs off of the A9.”

Scotland’s Finance Secretary, MSP John Swinney, has also welcomed the massive grant funding boost that the Scottish Government has awarded which will develop a rail facility to improve freight handling.

The Freight Facilities Grant (FFG) jointly awarded to UPM Tilhill and CSP Forestry will allow for the movement of 120,000 tonnes of timber by rail from Rannoch to Irvine over the next eight years, delivering real benefits for Scotland's environment.

Congestion Reduction

MSP John Swinney said: “As part of our pledges to the people we said Scotland could be Greener and Wealthier, and the moves taken by the Government to fund a large-scale change in the way we transport freight around our country is a massive boost for both our environment and our economy.

“Highland Perthshire is an area I know very well, and is widely recognised for its dramatic scenery and clean environment, and it is excellent news that this funding will directly contribute to the green credentials of the area. 

“By removing freight from Perthshire’s roads, and indeed Scotland’s roads, we reduce congestion, improve our transport infrastructure, and most importantly we create a culture in Scotland which encourages people away from heavily-polluting roads, and use other means of getting around.

“This move will provide an economic boost for Highland Perthshire, with the combined investment in rail transport and the cleaner environment encouraging tourists to visit in the area.

“We need to change our road culture in Scotland to demonstrate our climate change targets are attainable if the will is there, and the SNP will continue to push forward with our modern, focused agenda to ensure this will take place.  Businesses and individuals all have a part to play in changing our culture and I would encourage everyone to consider how they can work towards this end.”