Scottish Liberal Democrat and Shetland MSP, Beatrice Wishart, has written to the Transport Minister seeking a breakdown of spending on Highland and Islands Airports Ltd’s (HIAL) Air Traffic Management Strategy (ATMS).
This follows the cancellation of the tender exercise for procurement for a remote tower project and a reported £9 million spent on the project up to the 30th November 2021.
In her letter, Ms Wishart welcomes the procurement cancellation reiterating her misgivings about safety, connectivity and job losses of the proposed the project.
Ms Wishart also asks the minister for an updated figure of spending on the project and breakdown of that if available.
Ms Wishart has opposed the Scottish Government’s ATMS since she was first elected holding a member’s debate on the subject in 2019.
Ms Wishart has consistently called on the Scottish Government to listen to communities and rethink the proposed strategy.
Ms Wishart said:
“This project had strong opposition from the start.
“Along with many other voices, I called for the Scottish Government to stop and rethink its strategy.
“I want to know if any public money has been wasted and if so, how much.
“The Scottish Government must be transparent about that.
“We need robust infrastructure to support lifeline air services and whatever comes next in the wake of this development must have the backing of the communities that HIAL serves.”
