For progress?
We willing to sacrifice for developments?
SCOTLAND’S emerging economy, driven by digital technology and supported increasingly by low- carbon infrastructure, must be more productive, more innovative and certainly more internationalist in its outlook.
In order to improve our economic performance and ensure we are resilient enough to cope with external shocks, such as the collapse of the banking system or the dip in the oil price, we need to invest in our infrastructure.
Modernisation isn’t easy though. It often causes major disruption, can challenge existing interests and even sometimes questions the very way we behave.
Whether it’s the disruption caused by major projects such as the upgrading of the central Scotland motorway network or the electrification of rail networks or insulating our homes – making change happen is challenging.
Over the past few decades I’ve been involved, in some way or another, with three of the most controversial upgrades in our infrastructure, each of which have attracted disproportionate amounts of public and political attention.
The upgrading of the Beauly to Denny power line, the installation of a network of mobile phone masts, and the emergence of arrays of wind turbines across the countryside have all had a huge impact – but have been developed for the good of Scotland’s economy.
Yes, of course, each of these projects attracts public criticism and engenders great debate, but they are necessary features of our drive for economic growth.
Where they have fallen foul of public opinion is usually where the case for the ONE of the most controversial developments in Scotland’s countryside is the Beauly to Denny power line.
Completed last year it carries electricity from windfarms and other renewable energy schemes in the north to consumers in the south.
Supporters have said it is a vital part of the country’s power infrastructure while opponents – including 20,000 people who objected to it – argue it has had a devastating impact on the landscape.
The line is 137 miles long and is supported by 615 pylons which run through some of the country’s most inaccessible terrain.
It took five years to build at a cost of £820 million and is the longest transmission line to be built in the UK in recent years, rising to 2526ft at its highest point. LAST month, the Scottish Government announced an expansion of its existing infrastructure investment plan.
An extra £100 million will be made available in the current financial year to speed up delivery of infrastructure projects.
Details of which projects will benefit from funds will be announced in due course.
It’s hoped those chosen will return a significant economic benefit and can be delivered this year. change hasn’t quite been made, where the evidence of resultant improvements to economic performance hasn’t been clear, or when the national context hasn’t been adequately explained.
Scotland’s economy needs modern infrastructure in order to support the kind of growth from which we can build and spread prosperity, but we must begin to shape the debate around these projects as one where the economy and the environment are seen as two sides of the same coin, and not hopelessly competing interests.
Without growth, Scotland can’t have prosperity, and without shared prosperity and therefore increased levels of productivity, we can’t drive growth.
As power over certain aspects of economic responsibility and policy transfers, through the 2012 Scotland Act, from Westminster to Holyrood, so does the responsibility to drive growth, and spread prosperity too.