£66 million for Scottish transport links

Chancellor Rachel Reeves has announced a £66 million settlement for Scottish transport, as part of the Spending Review.

Alongside other government investments into Scottsih infrastructure, the £66 million will fund three Scottish transport schemes and create direct links between towns and economic hubs in the West of Scoyltand.

£38.7 million will go to Renfrewshire Council to link Paisley town centre with Advanced Manufacturing Innovation District Scotland (AMIDS) and Glasgow Airport, which includes new walking, cycling bus and car links.

North Ayrshire Council will receive £23.7 million to upgrade the B714, which will mean a faster route between the Three Towns of Ardrossan, Saltcoats and Stevenston to Glasgow, and cut traffic in Kilwinning.

The Scottish government have also announced an extra £3.45 million to suggest upgrades to the A75 in Dumfries and Galloway, which is a key road linking the Cairnryan port serving Northern Ireland with the rest of the UK.

Rachel Reeves said: “We’re pledging billions to back Scottish jobs, industry and renewal—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.”

Scotland secretary Ian Murray said: “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 will make a real difference to people’s daily lives and to the local economies of the south of Scotland, Ayrshire and Renfrewshire.

“New road links will connect Paisley town centre with Glasgow Airport and the new advanced manufacturing innovation district, to boost high value manufacturing in Renfrewshire. The upgrade to the B714 will speed up journeys between Glasgow and the three towns of Androssan, Saltcoats and Stevenson, as well as cutting traffic in Kilwinning. And the A75 is strategically important just not within but beyond Scotland. Its upgrading is long overdue. I am pleased that the UK government has stepped up to fund the delivery of the A75 feasibility study in full.

“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.”