Chancellor Rachel Reeves will announce £66 million of funding for transport projects in Scotland, insisting the cash demonstrates the Labour Government is "investing in Britain's renewal" after a "decade of decline" under the Conservatives. Scottish Secretary Ian Murray said the money would make a "real difference to people's daily lives".
The funding will support transport projects linked to new investment zones and advanced manufacturing sites backed by the UK Government in Scotland. Three key transport schemes will benefit, with plans to create direct links between these new economic hubs and local towns in the west of Scotland.
Paisley receives largest funding share
The largest portion of cash - £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 scheme, 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 £23.7 million will go to North Ayrshire Council to upgrade the B714 road, enabling faster travel between the towns of Ardrossan, Saltcoats and Stevenston and Glasgow, whilst cutting traffic in Kilwinning. The Chancellor pledged to find the cash for this work in last month's spending review.
A75 upgrade study receives funding
In addition, the Scottish Government is being given an extra £3.45 million to suggest ways in which the A75 in Dumfries and Galloway can be upgraded. The road links the port in Cairnryan - where ferries sail to Northern Ireland - with the rest of the UK, and is seen as vital for both transport connections and the economy.
Reeves, who is due to visit Paisley 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."
Government highlights infrastructure commitment
"Whilst previous governments oversaw over a decade of decline of our transport infrastructure, we're investing in Britain's renewal," Reeves said. "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 welcomed the funding, saying: "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."
Strategic importance beyond Scotland
The Scottish Secretary continued: "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 Ardrossan, Saltcoats and Stevenston, as well as cutting traffic in Kilwinning."
Murray said the A75 was "strategically important just not within but beyond Scotland" and that its upgrading was "long overdue". He added: "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."
(PA) Note: This article has been edited with the help of Artificial Intelligence.
