Scottish Government awards £1.4 million grant for improved rail infrastructure at Tarmac cement plant
THE Scottish Government has allocated £1.49 million to Tarmac’s Dunbar cement plant in a Freight Facilities Grant. The grant will support the company’s drive to enhance its rail capabilities at the plant which provides cement products for construction projects across Scotland and further into England.
Michael Matheson, Cabinet Secretary for Transport, Infrastructure and Connectivity, announced the funding at the Rail Freight Group’s Annual Scottish Conference 2020 in Bellshill today [4 March].
The fund, which is open to companies looking to move freight by the more sustainable modes of rail or water instead of road, will be used towards expanding the rail operation at Tarmac’s Dunbar cement plant.
Mr Matheson said: ‘I am delighted to award £1.49 million of funding from our Freight Facilities Grant to Tarmac towards expanding their Dunbar facility. Tarmac are key users of rail and a strong advocate for the industry.
‘This award is the first Freight Facilities Grant for rail for a number of years and will help ensure that rail remains the key mode of transport for much of Tarmac’s operations.
‘The recently published National Transport Strategy sets out the Scottish Government’s vision for a sustainable, inclusive, safe and accessible transport system where our businesses make sustainable choices to support the reliable delivery of goods and services.
‘That is why we are leading the way in support for rail freight with clear policy support, innovative regulatory targets to encourage growth, and backing this with general investment and specific funding.
‘Our dedicated £25 million Rail Freight Fund and our Mode Shift Grant support schemes, including the Freight Facilities Grant, which will help to unlock opportunities for rail freight across the country.’
Chris Swan, head of rail at Tarmac, said: ‘We’re delighted to receive this funding from Transport Scotland which supports our commitment to developing our rail offering, reducing carbon emissions and improving air quality.
‘The enhanced rail distribution capabilities at our Dunbar cement plant will support our commitment to transporting as much product as possible on the rail network and not the roads, providing essential construction materials to infrastructure projects both within Scotland and beyond.’
