Press Release
31st October 2002
West Station Bridge –
Mystery Landowners Delaying Replacement
Mystery landowners are holding up
work to replace the West Station Bridge, MSP for Greenock &
Inverclyde, Duncan McNeil, has learned. The Scottish Executive
cannot award the contract for the works as it is being denied
access to land needed to carry out the job.
The revelations come in a letter to Mr McNeil from Deputy Transport Minister, Lewis Macdonald. The Minister had undertaken to investigate the hold-up after Mr McNeil raised the issue in a Parliamentary debate on 26th September.
Speaking to the Telegraph Mr McNeil said:
"It is naturally very disappointing to learn, when the money is available and the tenders have been returned, that negotiations with landowners are delaying this important work.
"Together with, I am sure, many local residents and businesses, I am keen to make representations directly to those responsible and underline to them the importance of this project. I have therefore written to the Minster, asking that he disclose the identity of the individuals or companies concerned."
In his letter to Mr McNeil, the Minister also makes it clear that, if agreement cannot be reached, the Executive will acquire the land by compulsory purchase.
Mr McNeil commented:
"It is good to see that the Minister is determined to overcome this difficulty and get the project back on track – even if it means using the ultimate sanction of compulsory purchase.
"No-one, of course, wants to go down
that road unless it’s absolutely necessary. A quick and
amicable agreement would be best for all concerned."
ENDS
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