Where’s Stranraer’s £5.3m? - asks MSP

A NEW challenge has been issued to the First Minister over £5.3 million for the regeneration of Stranraer, promised nearly a decade ago.

The challenge follows last week’s announcement that the Scottish Government will invest £710,000 in Stranraer through the Regeneration Capital Grant Fund. The funding includes £390,000 for the Town Centre Living initiative, which aims to create new residential accommodation and enterprise space in the heart of the town. A further £320,000 has been allocated to support the development of a new Dick’s Hill Community Hub, a facility designed to bring vital services and opportunities directly into the local community.

Now South Scotland MSP Colin Smyth has challenged First Minister John Swinney to come clean on the whereabouts of £5.3 million still missing from a regeneration package he personally promised back in 2016.

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CHALLENGER . . . South Scotland MSP Colin Smyth[/caption]

Mr Smyth said: “It’s right that projects in Stranraer receive support for regeneration — but back in 2016, John Swinney promised £6 million specifically for Stranraer’s waterfront. That wasn’t a loose aspiration or an ambition. It was a clear, public commitment from the now First Minister”.

“Now, nearly a decade on, the town has received just over £700,000. The First Minister needs to tell us where the other £5.3 million is.”

Mr Smyth is calling on the Scottish Government to publish a full breakdown of what has happened to the originally pledged £6 million, confirm what remains unallocated to the region and work with Dumfries and Galloway Council and the community to ensure the full funds are finally delivered, adding: “The £6 million promise was made in the wake of a major economic shock to Stranraer following the loss of the ferry services. It was supposed to kickstart the waterfront’s transformation and help secure the town’s future. Instead, Stranraer has been repeatedly overlooked while other areas have seen investment flow.

“It’s not enough to drip-feed funding here and there. The Scottish Government needs to stop making excuses and start to deliver fully what they promised.”