Issued: 23 November 2001
£2.8M LEAVES 60% FUNDING SHORTFALL FOR MONTROSE BRIDGE
The Scottish Executive's announcement (23 November 2001) of £2.8m funding for Montrose Bridge is less than 40% of the amount needed for the construction of the new bridge.
Angus Council had sought £6m toward the funding of the £7m construction project and Finance Convener Alex King expressed his disappointment that the award, although welcome, left the council with £4.2m still to find.
"The council is already footing the £0.5m bill for the necessary preparatory work for the new bridge. The £2.8m award from the Executive is welcome but falls woefully short of the capital investment required for this vital 'lifelink' route into Montrose," said Councillor King.
"It appears that the people of Angus will now have to pick up the tab for the remaining £4.2m. That means taking over £2m each year out of an already overstretched capital budget over the two-year construction period.
"It is this budget which funds school buildings, industrial sites, lighting replacement, road safety measures etc. - work which has to be carried out to maintain a reasonable level of services to the citizens of Angus.
Councillor King concluded by saying:
"This extra borrowing consent granted by Scottish Executive must be wholly used by 31 March 2002 unless the Executive is prepared to allow Angus Council to carry it forward to when it is actually needed. As a matter of urgency we are pursuing the Executive for this permission to carry the consent forward.
"Just yesterday the Roads Committee agreed the conditions of tender, which include the design of the bridge. This contract will only go out to tender in January and construction is not expected to start until early 2003. The council is still aiming for completion of the project in 2005.
"It is vital therefore that the Executive gives the council exemption from the normal financial strictures to allow us to have access to these vital funds when they are actually needed instead of now."