Timber Transport Revamp
Hot The Scottish Forestry, through the Strategic Timber Transport Fund (STTF), has announced a £4 million investment to support crucial infrastructure projects aimed at improving timber transport and alleviating pressure on rural roads. The funding, provided by Transport Scotland and managed by Scottish Forestry, will benefit various regions across Scotland, including Argyllshire, Perthshire, Dumfries & Galloway, Scottish Borders, Ayrshire, and Highlands.
With the objective of enhancing local transport networks while facilitating the decarbonization efforts of the forestry sector, these initiatives will have a positive impact on both the industry and rural communities that are often affected by heavy timber transportation.
Ms Gougeon, who unveiled the funding, expressed the significance of the forestry sector in achieving Scotland’s Net Zero goals. She applauded the continued support provided by the Scottish government and local authorities, emphasizing the dual benefits of improving the forestry industry’s ability to transport timber to market and minimizing the impact on rural communities.
The funded projects encompass a range of improvements, including the creation of new haulage routes away from residential areas, the construction of passing places on narrow roads, the upgrade of fragile road sections, and the promotion of timber shipping by sea.
Key projects receiving funding include:
- TimberLINK Service Support: An allocation of £945,000 will bolster the TimberLINK shipping service, enabling the transportation of approximately 70,000 tonnes of timber annually via sea routes along the West Coast of Scotland.
- A93 Road Enhancements: Perth & Kinross Council will receive £284,500 to improve sections of the A93, facilitating the movement of 280,000 tonnes of timber, including areas affected by Storm Arwen.
- A711 Road Strengthening: Dumfries & Galloway Council will utilize £222,000 to enhance a stretch of the A711 in Dalbeattie, ensuring its capacity to carry an estimated 1,800,000 tonnes of timber over the next decade.
- Howford Bridge Widening: Highland Council will be granted £245,000 to widen the approach to the Howford Bridge on a timber-laden route utilized by lorries supplying logs to the Gordon Timber sawmill in Nairn.
- Ballochandrain-Tighnabruaich Road Improvement: Argyll & Bute Council will receive £111,000 to continue the improvement work on the road between Ballochandrain and Tighnabruaich through resurfacing and widening. This road plays a crucial role in serving a bustling community and is projected to carry an estimated 253,940 tonnes of timber over the next decade, with onward transportation by boat from Sandbank.
Over the past 23 years, the STTF has successfully allocated more than £82 million across 398 distinct projects, significantly enhancing Scotland’s timber transport infrastructure.
These investments underline the Scottish Forestry’s commitment to the sustainable growth of the forestry sector, fostering economic development while prioritizing environmental stewardship and the well-being of rural communities.
