RACHEL Reeves will announce £66 million of funding for transport projects in Scotland – with the Chancellor claiming the cash shows the Labour UK Government is “investing in Britain’s renewal”.
Scottish Secretary Ian Murray said the money would make a “real difference to people’s daily lives”.
The money will go towards projects linked to new investment zones and advanced manufacturing sites supported by the UK Government in Scotland.
Three key transport schemes are to benefit, with plans to create direct links between these new economic hubs and local towns in the west of the Scotland.
The largest chunk of cash – some £38.7 million – will go to Renfrewshire Council to help link Paisley town centre with both Glasgow Airport and the nearby Advanced Manufacturing Innovation District Scotland (AMIDS).
As part of this new walking, cycling, bus and car links will be built, allowing local people to benefit from the growth of high value manufacturing in Renfrewshire.
Another £23.7m will go to North Ayrshire Council to upgrade the B714 road, allowing faster travel between the towns of Ardrossan, Saltcoats and Stevenston and Glasgow, and cutting traffic in Kilwinning.
It comes after the Chancellor pledged to find the cash for this work in last month’s spending review.
The road there links the port in Cairnryan – where ferries sail to Northern Ireland – with the rest of the UK, and as a result is seen as being vital for both transport connections and the economy.
Reeves, who is visiting Renfrewshire on Friday, said the UK Government was “pledging billions to back Scottish jobs, industry and renewal”.
She added: “That’s why we’re investing in the major transport projects, including exploring upgrades to the A75, that local communities have been calling for.
“Whilst previous governments oversaw over a decade of decline of our transport infrastructure, we’re investing in Britain’s renewal.
“This £66 million investment is exactly what our Plan for Change is about, investing in what matters to you in the places that you live.”
Murray added: “This £66 million investment in Scotland’s roads demonstrates the UK Government’s commitment to improving infrastructure and driving economic growth in all parts of the UK as part of our Plan for Change.
“This investment is yet another example of how the [[UK Government]] is building the foundations for a stronger, more prosperous future that benefits communities right across Scotland.”
However, SNP MSP Kevin Stewart said Reeves should take the opportunity to apologise to Scots during her visit.
Hitting out at the Chancellor, Stewart said: “On the week it was confirmed that Scottish energy bills will rise to pay for an English nuclear power plant, the Chancellor has some cheek to pass off old spending commitments as her own.
“Labour think Scotland should be grateful for receiving a share of money we pay to Westminster in taxes.
“Folk need real action on the cost of living under Labour – not reheated commitments that Westminster has already announced.
“Labour promised that everyone’s energy bills would be cut by £300 when they came to power. That was a lie.
“Reeves should apologise on behalf of her party for this lie during her trip to Scotland.”
