FTA welcomes extension of Scottish Freight Facilities Grant

Date: 13/2/2012

The Scottish government's decision to extend the Freight Facilities Grant will help the country to meet its carbon reduction targets.

This is according to the Freight Transport Association (FTA), which welcomed the additional £4.5 million that will be available for 2014-15.

Applications for funding can be made by Scottish rail and water facilities that meet specific criteria.

Head of Policy in Scotland at the FTA Chris MacRae said the announcement is particularly good news at a time of economic instability.

He added that "switching freight movement to rail or water is an essential element of [challenging carbon reduction targets] and these grants help this."

Mr MacRae pointed out the English equivalent to the grant has now come to an end.

The FTA recently urged the Scottish government to extend fare savings to lorries using certain ferry services after it introduced a scheme in the Western Isles, Coll and Tiree that means commercial vehicles only have to pay a certain amount when travelling in this way.

Posted by Mary Treen