A WORKSHOP is to be held in Inverness and Aberdeen as part of series of consultations into the need for better freight facilities to improve the links between airports, ports, rail and roads, and to help Scotland’s economic competitiveness.
Operators, businesses, end-users and authorities around the Highlands and Islands are welcome to come along to one of two events to discuss key issues and opportunities for providing improved freight facilities. A half-day workshop is to take place in the Drumossie Hotel, Inverness on Monday May 12 and Sheraton Hotel, Aberdeen on Wednesday 14 May.
The workshops are being organised by Scott Wilson Scotland Ltd, on behalf of Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE), Scottish Enterprise and the Scottish Government. Workshops are also taking place in Edinburgh and Glasgow to give stakeholders across Scotland an opportunity to discuss freight issues.
Gavin Scott, head of Policy-Scotland, Freight Transport Association, said: “The importance of this study to the future of the freight industry in Scotland cannot be overstated. One of the main barriers to its growth is a lack of robust statistical information which can be used to inform future decisions on transport infrastructure which has historically largely been dictated by the concerns of non-freight traffic. Scotland’s transport system has to be able to support both and I am sure this study will go along way to redressing that balance.”
According to HIE, the study will be important in shaping future decision-making. Tony Jarvis, transport policy manager at HIE said: “We know that goods such as whisky and agricultural products leave the Highlands bound for the rest of Scotland and beyond, and we know that there are equally significant flows of goods into the area to service our growing population and industrial base.
“However we don’t know enough about exactly how this freight gets from A to B; which routes and modes are used. With the data provided by this study we’ll be able to answer those questions and look for new opportunities to make these goods movements more efficient, more sustainable and more competitive. I would encourage key stakeholders such as operators, businesses, end-users and authorities to provide Scott Wilson Scotland Ltd with as much support as they can.”
PRESS RELEASE issued by Highlands and Islands Enterprise. You too can post media releases (aka story ideas for journalists) on allmediascotland.com. For more information, email here.
Contact: Mairi Gillies
Phone: 01463 244235
Email: Mairi.Gillies@hient.co.uk
Website: http://www.hie.co.uk
