Tories must pay back cash says MSP
A Renfrewshire MSP has called on the Westminster Government to make good on the money Scotland and Northern Ireland are owed as its share of the £20billion from an ill-fated plan to build a bridge to Northern Ireland - almost half a million pounds for Renfrewshire.
The project – promoted by Boris Johnson was costed at £20billion, but since the plans for the bridge were canned the money has not been allocated for spending in Scotland or Northern Ireland.
In total, the cash represents the equivelant of up to £487,340,397 for Renfrewshire and £260,961,695 for East Renfrewshire. Now Tom Arthur, SNP MSP for Renfrewshire South, is demanding that the money be allocated to Scotland to be spent on worthwhile transport projects that could transform connectivity in both local authorities.
Commenting, Tom Arthur said: “Whilst the crossing was a daft idea, the SNP will engage with ideas of how funding can be distributed to ensure worthwhile investment in transport links across Scotland which will benefit communities like Renfrewshire. £20billion for a transport project in Scotland and Northern Ireland is worth up to £487,340,397 for Renfrewshire and £260,961,695 for East Renfrewshire.
“The Tories are up to their old tricks again as we saw last time they had control of Scotland’s money. When they diverted cash from the Highlands to try to boost dwindling Conservative support in south-east England.
“What the people of Renfrewshire and East Renfrewshire need is proper commitments that will make transformational changes to connectivity across the area.
Renfrewshire’s share of the cash would equal up to £487.3million and East Renfrewshire £261million and the Tories owe the community that money which would make a significant difference in how people get around.
“This also shows once again how out of touch Boris Johnson really is with people in Renfrewshire and across Scotland as he has his priorities all wrong to bring about real change for people here.
“We cannot trust the Tories to act in the best interests of Scotland and that is why the people of Scotland should have the choice of a different path towards independence.”
The UK Government has been contacted for comment.