Scotland's timber transport network given £7m government grant

Scotland’s timber transport industry has received a £7m boost from the government to improve infrastructure and recover from the pandemic.

The cash injection will be used to upgrade rural roads, create new forest haulage routes and passing places and promote the moving of timber by sea.

Projects in Aberdeenshire, Angus, Scottish Borders, Dumfries & Galloway, Ayrshire, Stirling and the Highlands will all share in the funding support.

One of these, TimberLINK, will receive £900,000 to help move timber by sea and reduce the number of HGVs using the A82 over the notorious Rest and be Thankful route.

Màiri McAllan, environment minister, said: “A green recovery from the Covid-19 pandemic is imperative and, as part of that, we are committed to supporting our forestry sector given its role in our transition to net zero.

“The sector also provides thousands of jobs and generates around £1bn to our economy each year.

“By improving our timber transport network we can help the industry get its timber to market and ensure economic benefits continue.

“It will also reduce the effects that timber lorries can have on small local communities.”