Press Release
24th February 2000
Clyde Coast Politicians in Regeneration Initiative
Local politicians are joining forces to help regenerate Clyde coast communities, it was revealed yesterday. Duncan McNeil MSP, George Lyon MSP, Allan Wilson MSP, Jackie Baillie MSP and Scotland Office Minister Brian Wilson MP are to set up a Clyde coast initiative to consider how this regeneration can best be achieved.
The initiative will bring together organisations interested in developing the Clyde, for example Local Enterprise Companies, Local Authorities and community organisations.
The announcement came in a Scottish Parliament debate yesterday evening on the regeneration of the Clyde. The debate, which was largely good-natured and well informed, encouraged MSPs from Argyll, Renfrewshire, Inverclyde and Ayrshire and Glasgow to reminisce over the former glory of the Clyde.
There was broad consensus that the fact that trips "doon the watter" belonged in history lessons, and that local communities were not taking full advantage of a great natural asset, were matters of regret.
During the debate, MSP for Greenock and Inverclyde, Duncan McNeil, told the Chamber:
"The river is a great natural asset to the communities that lie on it. It was the basis of my constituency’s past success and it could be the basis of its success in the future."
"The potential benefits of regeneration are clear. A boost would be delivered to the economy of the West of Scotland by fast and regular passenger links from Ayrshire to Gourock, on to Greenock and the Waterfront, and then to Paisley and Glasgow.
"A river link between Greenock and the airport at Paisley would broaden the transport base of the lower regions of the Clyde. Indeed, it would reduce the risk posed to our industry and us from flooding. Better transport links would make it easier for businesses to locate away from the main centres of Glasgow and Edinburgh, and would open up Argyllshire."
However, such success, Mr McNeil continued, would only be realised if the current unsatisfactory service was consolidated. These benefits are only possible "if we work together. … The potential is great, and we look forward to making progress."
"The consortium I and my colleagues will be setting up is aimed at taking full advantage of this great natural asset and using it as a tool to regenerate our community." He commented last night.
ENDS
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