Communities could lose out on City Deal
Committee boss: £1billion project may not boost all areas
There are “significant issues” with City Region Deals that must be addressed, a Holyrood committee warns.
The Scottish Government has reported back on a probe into projects to deliver massive infrastructure investment across the country.
Renfrewshire is one of eight councils behind the Glasgow City Region City Deal – ploughing £1billion into the region.
Bob Doris MSP, the parliament’s Local Government and Communities committee convener, insists communities and businesses should be involved in how cash is spent and not “informed after decisions are made”.
He said: “In order for City Region Deals to be a success right across Scotland, we need clarity on when this initiative will be extended to all.
“While it’s still very early days in the City Region Deals lifespan, it’s not clear how other towns and the more rural and remote areas of Scotland will benefit from these deals.
“There is also a risk that some parts of Scotland could miss out or lose out on the benefits that these projects may bring, and that other initiatives are treated as the poor cousin in comparison.”
City Region Deals are a partnership between Westminster, the Scottish Government, local authorities and other partners to boost jobs and grow regional economies.
The Glasgow City Region City Deal is funding massive building works across Renfrewshire.
The region is benefitting from £ 274m investment for three massive projects across the district.
These include building a £91m Renfrew-Yoker bridge across the River Clyde, linking Meadowside Street to Dock Street for cars, pedestrians and cyclists.
It will ease traffic congestion and help speed up journeys on both sides of the river — helping reduce greenhouse gasses by more than 500 tonnes by 2020.
Transport chiefs also want to create a £144m tram-train line connecting Glasgow Airport to the rail network at Paisley Gilmour Street by 2025.
And cash will be used to turn the terminal into a hub for firms, with new business parks, linked by roads and bike routes to nearby companies.
A Holyrood committee says there are “confused and cluttered” priorities between members – with £ 3.3bn investment in Scotland so far.
It insists the UK Government focus is on economic and “bottom-line benefits”, with the Scottish Government interest in “inclusive growth”.
Politicians say rural and remote areas, and towns not covered by City Region Deals, must not “miss out or lose out” against bigger cities.
Mr Doris added: “We welcome the significant investment of £3.3 billion to create new jobs and build exciting and thriving areas around our major cities.
“Some of these are in the most impoverished and deprived areas of Scotland.
“But it’s clear from the evidence we have heard and our committee visits that there are significant issues with City Region Deals that must be addressed.
“That’s why we strongly recommend that all governments – national and local – work together and agree to a single focus, as a key priority should be maximising the benefits for local communities.
“These deals are in the early years of a 10-20 year programme of investment.
“Our committee will be keeping a close eye to check whether these improvements have been made and whether further action is required.”
In East Renfrewshire, £44m has been earmarked to improve the road network between Barrhead, Newton Mearns and the M77.
Works are expected to be completed by 2021.