MSP Karen Adam champions prospect of rerailing north-east in Scottish Parliament
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MSP Karen Adam has called on colleagues from across the political spectrum to support her efforts to bring rail back to Peterhead, Fraserburgh and Ellon.
Ms Adam’s public call has been backed by the Campaign for North East Rail (CNER) where they have urged all MSPs “to support the ‘Rerailing Scotland’ motion tabled by Karen Adam MSP.”
The Banffshire & Buchan Coast representative tabled a Member’s Business motion in the Scottish Parliament backing CNER in their campaign to bring Fraserburgh, Ellon and Peterhead back into the rail network ‘as a matter of priority’ and to ‘benefit the wider north-east and all of Scotland.’
If the Motion receives enough backing from parliamentarians, it will be debated by MSPs in the Chamber.
Ms Adam recently opened the first debate at the SNP’s 88th Annual Conference in Aberdeen where she secured the unanimous support from delegates at the Party conference, cementing the prospect of rerailing the north-east into SNP policy.
Just days later, the Scottish Government published figures for the projects set to benefit from the Just Transition Fund, confirming CNER are to have been awarded £250,000 for a feasibility study to examine the proposed rail links.
The JTF is a £500 million ten-year commitment from the Scottish Government that will support projects in the north-east and Moray which contribute towards the region’s transition to net zero.
Support for Karen Adam MSP’s ‘Rerailing Scotland’ motion has so far received the support of MSPs from the SNP, Labour, and Greens.
The Conservatives and Liberal Democrats are yet to back the motion (as of 31/10/22).
Commenting, Karen Adam MSP said: “I am really hopeful and have been doing everything I can to garner support for the proposals to bring rail back to Peterhead, Fraserburgh and Ellon.
"Efforts seem to be paying off on the prospect and I am more than willing to work across the political spectrum to do what’s best for the people of Banffshire and Buchan Coast and the north-east.
“Coming together to work on bringing rail back to Peterhead, Fraserburgh and Ellon is a good start, and that’s why I’m calling on colleagues from Labour, Greens, Conservatives and Lib Dems to support my motion on ‘Rerailing Scotland’.
“We have seen the Campaign for North East Rail go from strength to strength since they launched, recently being awarded £250,000 from the Scottish Government for a feasibility study, and of course, receiving the backing of the SNP at our recent Party conference.
“The next step is taking the proposals to the Scottish Parliament and that’s why I am calling on MSPs from across the political spectrum to throw their support behind this motion.
"I have received countless emails of support from constituents and local businesses and there is incredible demand for this.
"The cross party work on this project has been so refreshing and I hope this will continue going forward.”
Commenting, Co-founder of CNER, Wyndham Williams said: “The Campaign for North East Rail are delighted with the progress so far on rerailing the north-east and bringing rail back to Ellon, Peterhead and Fraserburgh.
“We are very grateful of the support so far from residents, local businesses and politicians from across the political spectrum. We are urging all MSPs, particularly those in the north-east, to support the ‘Rerailing Scotland’ motion tabled by Karen Adam MSP.”
The Motions were as follows -
Motion Number: S6M-06401
Lodged By: Karen Adam
Date Lodged: 20/10/2022
Supported by: Colin Beattie, Siobhian Brown, Stephanie Callaghan, Maggie Chapman, Jackie Dunbar, Kenneth Gibson, Christine Grahame, Bill Kidd, Stuart McMillan, Paul Sweeney, David Torrance, Evelyn Tweed
To be considered for Members’ Business
Title: Rerailing Scotland
Motion Text:
That the Parliament recognises what it sees as the vital role that Scotland’s railways will fulfil in the low-carbon economy; considers that inclusive growth and access to high-quality public transport are transformative for people and businesses; understands that Peterhead and Fraserburgh are the two largest towns in Scotland that are cut-off from rail connectivity; notes the view that rail links could lead to substantial investment and the regeneration of the towns; believes that the ports located in the towns are strategically crucial for future trade routes with Scotland's Nordic and European neighbours; notes reports of the vast economic potential that freight trains would bring to the local, regional and national economy, and congratulates the Campaign For North East Rail on being awarded £250,000 by the Scottish Government’s Just Transition Fund to carry out a feasibility study on the viability of reinstating rail to Fraserburgh, Peterhead, and Ellon, and notes the calls for rail links to Fraserburgh, Peterhead, and Ellon to be re-established as part of the Scottish rail network as a matter of priority to benefit the wider north east and all of Scotland.
Motion Number: S6M-06494
Lodged By: Karen Adam
Date Lodged: 27/10/2022
Title: Campaign For North East Rail
Motion Text:
That the Parliament welcomes the award of £250,000 from the Scottish Government Just Transition Fund to fully fund a feasibility study on reconnecting the Banffshire and Buchan Coast to the rail network, and commends the work of the Campaign for North East Rail (CNER) for its efforts to make what it considers this game-changing project a reality.
