Progress on Scapa Flow project welcome (Edinburgh East and Musselburgh Liberal Democrats)

Edinburgh East and Musselburgh Liberal Democrats <Charles.Cavaye@talktalk.net>

Progress on Scapa Flow project welcome

October 6, 2008 10:44 AM
Originally published by Scottish Liberal Democrats

Orkney MSP, Liam McArthur, has welcomed the agreement reached between Orkney Islands Council, Highlands and Islands Enterprise, and The Crown Estate to establish a partnership to progress to the next phase of the Scapa Flow Container Transhipment Terminal project.

Commenting, Mr McArthur said

"I welcome this news, which is an important milestone for the project, one which we have been working towards for some time. When the Crown Estate Commission accepted my invitation to come to Orkney in August, this was one of the projects which was discussed with them. I am delighted that they have now formed this partnership to work with the Council and HIE. I challenged them in August to back their rhetoric with action, and they have now started to do that.

"The Scapa Flow Hub is an important development which offers exciting opportunities for Orkney, as well as for the shipping industry. The designation of the project as a National Development in the Government's draft National Planning Framework, shows how important the project is to Scotland as well.

"I am pleased that the Scottish Government has indicated that it will support the work of the partnership through representation on the Steering Group. I will be looking to the Government to maintain and build on its support for this important project."