WELCOME CHANGE OF HEART ON FOOTPATH

12.00.00am BST (GMT +0100) Wed 7th Jul 2004

Local MP John Thurso has welcomed an indication from Transport Minister, Nicol Stephen, MSP, that the Scottish Executive is prepared to have a further look at the possibility of installing a combined footway and cycleway link along the A9 between Portgower and Helmsdale. The decision follows a site visit which the Minister made to Portgower and Helmsdale in February of this year.

John Thurso said:

"I am pleased that the Minister has commissioned BEAR to undertake a further study following his meeting with representatives of the community earlier this year.

Clearly there is still a lot of work to be done on the project but this is a welcome move in the right direction".