HIGH SPEED PROPOSAL WELCOME, BUT NORTH-EAST MUST NOT BE FORGOTTEN

Following reports that Network Rail has proposed a new £34 billion high-speed railway line linking London and Scotland by 2030, SNP Westminster candidate for Banff & Buchan Eilidh Whiteford has welcomed the proposals.

Commenting, Eilidh Whiteford said.

“The SNP has previously pressured the UK Government for assurances that any future high speed rail project would be continued into Scotland. It is crucial not only for our economic but also our environmental goals and the proposed link from network rail would certainly compete with flying.

“However the proposal still requires to be approved by the UK Government, who have been vague in the past as to their intentions of high speed links reaching Scotland. I sincerely hope that UK Transport Minister Lord Adonis ensures that this link is stretched past the Midlands providing Scotland with the benefits that this improved infrastructure will offer.

“The current proposals only take the high speed link as far as Glasgow and Edinburgh. It is imperative for the North-east that the network is expanded to Aberdeen, and I would urge Network Rail to include this in their plans. In the meantime further thought needs to be given as to how existing links from the Central Belt can be upgraded to take advantage of the proposed new links.”

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WHITEFORD WARNS AGAINST FUEL TAX HIKE

SNP Westminster candidate for Banff & Buchan Eilidh Whiteford and SNP colleagues are calling on the UK Government to scrap next weeks planned 2p increase on fuel prices - warning the hike could hinder economic recovery.

The SNP has vigorously opposed previous fuel price rises and Eilidh Whiteford says it is a tax on rural Scotland where car use is a necessity and not a luxury.

With fuel prices once again over one pound per litre the SNP candidate believes that for many families and rural businesses the planned tax hike will put yet more pressure on stretched budgets.

Speaking ahead of the next week's tax deadline the SNP's Eilidh Whiteford said:

"Pushing up fuel prices is absolutely the wrong thing to do in the grip of recession and this increase could actually hinder economic recovery.

"Just when the UK government should be stimulating the economy, the Treasury is intent on slapping another 2p on the price of petrol and diesel - hitting already hard-pressed households and businesses. The increase is especially damaging for the haulage industry.

"Fuel duty now accounts for about 71 pence of every pound the motorist spends at the pump and for areas like Banff & Buchan where many have no choice but to use cars this is a severe financial burden.

"Increases in fuel duty are not a green tax, they are a Brown one, and people across Scotland have had their fill of Labours fuel duty increases. What Treasury Ministers in London forget is that for people in rural areas, a car is a necessity and not a luxury.

"On the back of an income tax hike affecting the lowest paid a further tax increase would be simply scandalous."

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HENDRY CONGRATULATES GRAMPIAN POLICE PIPE BAND

Grampian Police Joint Board member and Mid-Formartine SNP councillor Allan Hendry has congratulated Grampian Police Pipe Band on being crowned Champion of Champions for the North of Scotland.

Councillor Hendry, a former drum major in the pipe band and former police officer, has sent his personal congratulations to Pipe Major Drew Sinclair, Lead Drummer Nicky Gibson and band manager Murray Main.

The band – fresh from a stunning performance at the World Championships in Glasgow – retained their standing as the best pipes and drums at a competition in Mintlaw. SNP Westminster candidate for Banff & Buchan Eilidh Whiteford also attended the event held in Aden Country Park on Sunday.

The band triumphed in the Grade 1 and Grade 2 sections also won the best bass drum section of the competition and the best overall North of Scotland drum corps in Grade 1 and 2.

Commenting, Councillor Allan Hendry said:

"This is the result of many months of hard work and dedication by all the band members. As a former drum major, I know just how much efforts the band members have put in and their success is thoroughly deserved."

SNP Westminster candidate for Banff & Buchan Eilidh Whiteford who was at the Aden Park event added:

"In spite of the weather, a very large crowd turned out to give support to the bands. I was pleased to be able to attend and congratulate Grampian Police Pipe Band on their success."

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SALMOND PRESENTS AWARDS AT UK TUG-O-WAR CHAMPIONSHIPS

Banff & Buchan MP Alex Salmond was at Banff Rugby Club, Duff House, Banff on Sunday to present some of the awards at the UK Tug-O-War Championships.

SNP Westminster candidate for Banff & Buchan Eilidh Whiteford was also in attendance and met local team Cornhill and chatted with supporters.

Commenting after the event Alex Salmond said:

"I very much enjoyed the Tug-O-War Championships in Banff on Sunday and it was a privilege to present the prizes to the club teams.

"The event drew in huge crowds and was a great chance to highlight what a fantastic place the North-east is to host such a prestigious event. I would like to congratulate all the teams that took part for making it such a fantastic day."

SNP Westminster candidate Eilidh Whiteford added:

"Despite the terrible weather on the Sunday, this really was a tremendous event and full credit must go to the organisers and the teams who took part. I am of course particularly pleased that the local team from Cornhill performed so well.

"I was chatting to some of the Irish contingent in the clubhouse afterwards and they were impressed with their visit to Banffshire. I very much hope that this event comes back to Banff in the future."

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