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Timber routes branching out
Page 16
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Fund to improve remote roads used by timber trucKs has been extended for a further three years. David Harris reports.
SCOTTISH TIMBER hauliers have welcomed the Scottish parliament's decision to extend the Strategic Timber Transport Fund, which pays for improvements to the roads used by the timber trucks.
The financial support had been scheduled to come to an end in January, but it has been given a three-year lifeline with a total budget of 1.15m up to 2011.
Bobby McKerral, director at Campbeltow-n timber haulier Peter McKerral & Co, is among those pleased with the decision. -The fund has become important because it has helped everybody to work together," he says. -Not only have existing roads been improved, but small villages have been bypassed, which makes the residents happier."
McKerral adds that the improvements to timber routes have become even more important since the amount of timber being carried has increased in response to global demand.
Some of the timber carried by McKerral is even destined for traditional timber-producing countries such as Scandinavia.
Scottish Environment Minister Michael Russell, who announced the new funding, reports that since 2005, the fund has backed 21 projects costing more than £9m: -These projects will enable seven million tonnes of timber to be re-routed away from communities or fragile public roads over the next 10 years."
The Strategic Timber Transport Fund is administered by the Forestry Commission Scotland, which manages a total of 660,000 hectares of forest and advises ministers on forestry policy.