Minister hails £1.4bn investment in infrastructure projects last year

More than £1.4 billion was invested in infrastructure projects across Scotland over the last year, official figures show.

According to the latest report published as part of the Scottish Government’s infrastructure programme, 19 new schools, the V&A Museum in Dundee and the Aberdeen Western Peripheral Route were completed in 2018/2019.

On a visit to the construction site of the new £70 million East Lothian Community Hospital in Haddington, Infrastructure Secretary Michael Matheson said investment will continue to be made in future projects, including the delivery of 50,000 affordable homes.

Royal visit to Dundee
Royal visit to Dundee

Mr Matheson said: “Over the course of 2018-19, infrastructure projects worth more than £1.4 billion were completed and opened to the public.

“These include the Aberdeen Western Peripheral Route, the V&A Museum in Dundee, electrification of 100 kilometres of single-track line from Dunblane through Stirling and Alloa, and 19 new school projects.

“Looking ahead, the Scottish Government’s £5 billion commitment to infrastructure investment in 2019-20 will support 50,000 affordable new homes, delivery of the extension of early learning and childcare, new roads and railways, electric vehicles and delivery of superfast broadband across Scotland.

Amazing graphic from @GoNorthEastAWPR giving you the Aberdeen Western Peripheral Route numbers.

1.4 million trees & shrubs planted 🌳

6.2 million metres2 of seeds sown 💐

Scotland’s first wildlife bridges 🦌

👍👍👍 pic.twitter.com/S4buSRrFzp

— Kevin Stewart MSP (@KevinStewartSNP) September 3, 2018

“As part of this, our pipeline report shows Scottish Government-procured projects with a value of almost £3.1 billion are estimated to be in construction across Scotland during 2019-20.

“Building on this success, our commitment to have a National Infrastructure Mission will increase annual infrastructure investment by 1% of current (2017) GDP by the end of the next Parliament, helping to protect and create jobs, and boost growth across the country.”

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