Thumbs up for River Ericht regeneration

Jan 28 2010 Blairgowrie Adv

MID SCOTLAND and Fife Conservative MSP Murdo Fraser attended the public meeting at Blairgowrie Town Hall last Thursday when the proposals by Blairgowrie and Rattray Regeneration Company (BARRC) for a new hydro-scheme and visitor centre at the River Ericht were outlined.

After a lively discussion, at the end of the meeting there was a show of overwhelming support for both projects.

Murdo Fraser MSP said, "These developments are extremely exciting for Blairgowrie and Rattray and I am confident that they will make a real difference to the towns, both for local residents and for visitors. I cannot praise enough all those involved in BARRC who have pushed ahead with these initiatives in such a short space of time and for no personal reward.

“I understand that there are legitimate concerns from some local residents about additional traffic and difficulties with the car parking in the area. I am sure that BARRC will be working with Perth and Kinross Council to try and find solutions to these problems.

“This is a once in a generation opportunity to create something in Blairgowrie and Rattray which will be a focus for the regeneration of the town. It is good to see cash from the Town Centre Regeneration Fund being put to such good use.”

Conservative Candidate for Perth and North Perthshire Peter Lyburn added, "I pay tribute to all the hard work done by the BARRC committee members and the other volunteers who have worked so hard on these projects, which will bring great benefits to Blairgowrie and Rattray.

“The Scottish Conservatives fought hard for the Town Centre Regeneration Fund and I am delighted that funding from our policy idea will be used to improve the area and generate more community funding.

“Everyone involved with BARRC have volunteered a great deal of their own time for no reward other than to help the local communities of Blairgowrie and Rattray.”