£18m investment in a better future
I was absolutely delighted that Dumfries and Galloway projects have justifiably been awarded nearly £18 million in a game-changing distribution of UK Government investment, with the largest grants coming to Wigtownshire.
Being a long-time advocate of the Levelling-Up agenda, I welcome the grant scheme progress and from the outset have been impressed by the quality of the bids, which were carefully assessed in a UK-wide application process, administered locally through Dumfries and Galloway Council.
Work on the three successful projects in my constituency could begin on site in the relatively near future with a great deal of preparatory work already completed.
A flagship project in my eyes will be the redevelopment of the crumbling, and now partly demolished, George Hotel in Stranraer town centre. I know from speaking to constituents in the town during the past few days what a relief the news has brought as the state of the once prominent building was an on-going irritation for many and a significant safety concern.
The building will be replaced with a state-of-the-art culture, recreation and accommodation complex, which will be ‘anchor’ for new and existing local attractions, boosting the town and wider Wigtownshire economy. I’m particularly pleased the local authority are making a point of avoiding any duplication in the offering with any other existing attractions or businesses.
In all, the George Hotel project will be made possible through UK Government Levelling Up funding of £7.8 million with other financial contributions taking the total expenditure to £8.7 million.
Equally important, in my view, will be the further UK Levelling Up contribution of £4.6 million, topped up by £518,000 from the local authority, that will create a water sports hub at Stranraer Waterfront, next to the marina. There is already a proven demand locally for water sports and this exciting project should develop further the town and wider area’s appeal as an important visitor destination.
There will be an active beach and water space with the hub building including facilities for activity coaching, community involvement, storage, maintenance, changing and a range of other services.
Further east, at Dalbeattie, the former primary school building and wider site are set to become The Rock and Wheels complex. It will create a base for road cycling, mountain biking, cross-country running, orienteering, climbing and watersports, complete with visitor accommodation.
The Dalbeattie Community Initiative - promoted project will receive £5.2 million from the UK Government through Levelling Up with a council contribution taking total funding to £5.8 million. Together with the Stranraer projects, I believe this initiative will provide a substantial boost to south-west Scotland’s visitor appeal, hopefully, ultimately filtering out across the region with more footfall from Gretna Green to the Rhins of Galloway.
There were excellent projects in the Levelling Up process from across the UK and great credit should go to all those involved in developing the many carefully presented bids. The selected developments should help fuel economic growth, jobs, built environment and general well-being.
As with any bidding process there can be disappointment amongst those whose projects were not chosen on this occasion. My hope would be that some of the research and proposals prepared this time may well be a basis or starting point for future schemes, perhaps being refined to suit changing needs and circumstances.
Nationally I believe the Levelling Up exercise provided valuable experience for some applicants not selected this time, which may well leaves them suitably placed to take projects forward for consideration in future funding initiatives.
A75 villages safety focus
I’ve had a letter from Scottish Government Transport Minister Jenny Gilruth in response to concerns raised by constituents about accident risks on the A75 at Crocketford and Springholm.
As Free Press readers may be aware, I’m keen to see both villages by-passed but realistically that will be a longer-term project requiring full co-operation between the Scottish and UK Governments.
In the meantime, the Minister tells me she has instructed the trunk road operator, Amy, to carry out a speed review through Crocketford and the effectiveness of a series of existing safety measures.
Established features at Springholm are the vehicle-activated speed management traffic signals which turn red for a period when the limit is exceeded.
I was interested to learn from the Minister that these signals are still at the trial and evaluation stage and would require national legislative change to permit wider use.
It is vital local residents' views are taken on board, both on positive safety impact from the signals and any evidence of drivers ignoring the red lights?
In the meantime, politics aside, I’m encouraged a constructive ongoing dialogue continues between officials at UK and Scottish devolved government levels on a wide range of matters, including the A75 / A77 routes which are so important to Wigtownshire.
The Chancellor of the Exchequer has already made clear that £5m is being allocated for an essential detailed study into improvements to our busiest largely single-carriageway road, the A75, and there has been discussions between officials at the UK Government Department of Transport and at Transport Scotland, which is overseen by the Scottish Government.
Search on for extra dentists
I recently responded to constituents' worries over difficulties accessing dental services in parts of Dumfries and Galloway.
The problems were caused by various issues, including the pandemic impact, recruitment difficulties and some practices switching their focus towards private dentistry.
I have received a reply to a letter I wrote to the Scottish Government, which is responsible for the NHS north of the border.
Maree Todd, MSP, the Minister whose portfolio includes dentistry, explained that whilst there had been a strong recovery in parts of the country, access to dental services remained challenging for some, particularly in remoter rural areas.
She stated that additional recruitment and retention incentives had been put in place to increase opportunities for newly qualified dentists to work in areas such as Dumfries and Galloway.
The Minister added that the Scottish Government was working with the local health board to deliver expanded NHS dental services to the area.
I hope they succeed.
Burns supper in Antarctica
I was delighted to see that a native of Newton Stewart, Rob Kerr, last weekend helped organise the largest Burns Supper yet to be held to date at the British Antarctic Survey’s Rothera Research Station in Antarctica.
The civil engineer, a former pupil of Douglas Ewart High School, is site agent on a major UK Government infrastructure construction and modernisation project and is now experiencing his second winter at the remote community.
Haggis for the event was delivered on the UK’s advanced exploration ship, RRS Sir David Attenborough, in time for the celebration, including a ceilidh, which attracted 140 people, many Scots, who are working at the base which is at the cutting edge of climate change research.
Accordionist Rob, 33, believes the event was the most southerly Burns Supper and a great morale booster for those in this sizeable community working so far away from family and friends.
Rob is following in the musical footsteps of his father David, who is official accordionist at Newton Stewart Burns Club and, if fully recovered from a hand injury, hopes to play at their Burns Supper this Friday.
And in Whitehall …
National Bard Robert Burns was honoured at Dover House, home of the Scotland Office, on Tuesday evening when I had the pleasure of hosting a Burns Supper, promoting the great Scottish tradition which is now an increasingly international event.