SMITH DEMANDS GOVERNMENT FUNDING FOR MARKET STREET

11.59.00pm GMT Thu 29th Jan 2009

North East Fife's MSP Iain Smith has called on the Scottish Government to put their hand in their pocket to help plug the £3 million shortfall in funding for the refurbishment of Market Street in St Andrews caused by their recent reshuffling of Scottish Enterprise, who were providing the funding.

In a letter to the Cabinet Secretary for Finance and Sustainable Growth, Mr Smith highlights that Market Street was due to receive a multi-million pound refurbishment until the SNP Government's reorganisation of Scottish Enterprise "saw the axing of the Scottish Enterprise regeneration funding that was central to that project."

Mr Smith also writes:

"I am sure that you will agree that the town centre of St Andrews is a vital tourist asset for Scotland and one which we ought to be able to display with pride in this year of Homecoming.

"Sadly the current condition of the Town Centre, particularly Market Street, falls well short of the World Class St Andrews we all want to see."

ENDS

Notes to editors:

1- The full text of the letter to John Swinney MSP:

John Swinney MSP

Cabinet Secretary Finance & Sustainable Growth

St Andrew's House,

Regent Road,

Edinburgh, EH1 3DG

29 January 2009

Dear John

MARKET STREET, ST ANDREWS

I am sure that you will agree that the town centre of St Andrews is a vital tourist asset for Scotland and one which we ought to be able to display with pride in this year of Homecoming.

Sadly the current condition of the Town Centre, particularly Market Street, falls well short of the World Class St Andrews we all want to see.

Market Street was due to receive a multi-million pound refurbishment, until your reorganisation of Scottish Enterprise saw the axing of the Scottish Enterprise regeneration funding that was central to that project.

I would be grateful if you could advise me whether the Scottish Government will assist in plugging this £3 million funding gap.

I look forward to your early response.

Yours Sincerely,

Iain Smith MSP

Scottish Liberal Democrat, North East Fife