Information Bulletin
29 August 2005
Unanimous Backing for Shetland Transport Authority
Scotland's Highlands and Islands Conveners' and Leaders' Group have unanimously backed Shetland's application to become a Single Transport Authority. At a meeting in Edinburgh at the weekend Highland, Argyll and Bute, Moray, Orkney and the Western Isles all supported Shetland's case because its geographical position inevitably meant that all its main transport links lay outside the HITRANS area.
The Group has now formally written to Tavish Scott, Minister of Transport, urging him to rule in Shetland's favour, and at the same time inviting him to meet with the partners to discuss the way forward and achieve a mutually acceptable position for all their future transport arrangements. Sandy Cluness, Shetland Islands Council convener, said today that he was delighted with the outcome of the meeting, which in his view left the Minister with an indisputable reason for granting Shetland's application. " We are now picking up substantial all party support for our case, " said Mr Cluness " and we are optimistic of a satisfactory conclusion in a matter which is of such vital importance to our community."
ENDS