January 2003

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STONE WELCOMES GRANTS FOR CAITHNESS AND SUTHERLAND TRANSPORT PROJECTS
Local MSP Jamie Stone has given a warm welcome to the news that two community transport schemes in the Far North have won financial support from the latest round of grants from the Scottish Executive's Rural Community Transport Initiative.

The Caithness Voluntary Group has been awarded �94,929.  This will allow them to purchase a new vehicle, pilot a car-sharing scheme and continue their Dial-a-Ride service.

The Sutherland Partnership will receive �82,234 to continue employing a transport co-ordinator to co-ordinate projects throughout Sutherland. Welcoming these awards, Jamie Stone said: "I am delighted to hear of the success of these two excellent local organisations in their bids to the Rural Transport Fund.  Community transport projects make a major difference to a wide range of people who don't have easy access to either personal or public transport.

"In Caithness, the Dial-a-Ride service is a vital lifeline for many elderly and disabled.  I'm pleased that this money will not just allow a very important and hugely appreciated service to continue, but help it to expand too.   "I am pleased the Executive recognises the importance of developing and encouraging new transport initiatives in rural communities.  The Sutherland Partnership's transport co-ordinator has proved very successful and certainly deserves continued support.

"Both groups are to be congratulated on their success, which must be a reflection of the quality of their applications and the strength of the case they put forward."