Welcome For Grangemounth's Prominence in SNP Government's 20-year plan

Grangemouth Councillor and Falkirk Council SNP Group’s Economic Development Spokesman Angus MacDonald has welcomed the inclusion of Grangemouth as one of a number of major projects by the Scottish Government that will shape the future of Scotland over the next 20 years, which have been outlined by Finance Secretary John Swinney. The potential projects are part of a National Planning Framework which sets out a vision for Scotland for 2030.

Plans to enhance Grangemouth’s Freight Hub and to separate local community and dock traffic will ensure that heavy vehicular traffic will not clog up the local roads network in the Grangemouth area.

Under the Scottish Government’s proposed new National Planning Framework the area’s road and rail infrastructure will be improved. The rail link through Falkirk Grahamston would be electrified to improve the transportation times of freight moving through the area and there would also be better connections to the M9 and M8 motorways. Although it is anticipated that there will be significant increase in commercial traffic in and out of Grangemouth in the future it is expected that there will be a significant reduction in lorry movements on the existing local road network.

Last year the Port of Grangemouth handled 15,000 containers a month, making it the busiest Port in Scotland (10% of the country’s total cargo) however recent upgrades to the docks by Forth Ports, including a £40 million investment in cargo handling and warehousing facilities, has seen the number of vehicles going through the port has increased from an average of 1,500 per week to 1,800 per week.

Any future expansion of the Port however would require an assessment of the environmental impact as well as improving plans to protect the area from coastal flooding and the potential for risk of pollution to marine life.

Grangemouth’s SNP Councillor Angus MacDonald welcomed the announcement by the Finance Minister saying:

“A very large share of Scotland’s Gross Domestic Product travels via Grangemouth, coming either from or to the Port of Grangemouth facility or through the petro-chemical plant. I am very pleased that the new Scottish Government has recognised the importance of Grangemouth to the Scottish economy and future economic development of the area, however I am doubly pleased that they have acknowledged the need to address the transport issues now before they become a major headache for our planners and local residents.

Falkirk Council’s Transport Planning Team have been in discussions with the Scottish Government and local groups such as the Grangemouth Transport Working Group, which has brought local residents, local and national firms and public services together to discuss the way forward.

This announcement is good news for the residents of Grangemouth and firms operating in Grangemouth and shows that the new Scottish Government is ready to address local transport issues while supporting sustainable economic growth.”

Nine infrastructure projects have been identified as potential national developments in the second National Planning Framework, which has gone out for public consultation..
The Framework outlines a vision for Scotland's development to 2030.
It will help to improve competitiveness, contribute to tackling climate change, protect the quality of natural and built environments and promote improved opportunities and a better quality of life.
It builds on the Government Economic Strategy, setting clear priorities for the improvement of infrastructure to support sustainable economic growth.
The nine projects will have a vital role to play in creating a more successful Scotland, Cabinet Secretary for Finance and Sustainable Growth John Swinney said today.

• Facilities and infrastructure to support the 2014 Glasgow Commonwealth Games
• Grid reinforcements to support renewable energy development
• A replacement Forth crossing
• Enhancements to Edinburgh Airport
• Enhancements to Glasgow Airport
• Enhanced access to the Grangemouth Freight Hub
• The Rosyth International Container Terminal
• The Scapa Flow Container Transhipment Facility
• The Glasgow Strategic Drainage Scheme

Designation as National Developments in the National Planning Framework establishes the need for these projects in the national interest.