Published: Tuesday, 17th November, 2009 9:30am

Borders 'shortchanged' in regeneration fund

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JEDBURGH town centre is to benefit from an award of £606,745 under the Scottish Government's Regeneration Fund SNP MSP Christine Grahame has confirmed.

The funding will pay for new landscaping, a children's play area, WiFi points, new signage, car park extension and the restoration of the gothic fountain in the main square.

The money will also be used to acquire a site for future businesses to develop in the town. Ms Grahame said:

"This is the latest example of the Scottish Government actively investing in the Scottish Borders. This is a significant boost for Jedburgh and I am delighted that this work will proceed.

"This is one of 41 similar projects that have been announced across Scotland and is the second tranche of money from the £60 million Town Centre Regeneration Fund set up earlier this year to help hard pressed high streets.

"Across Scotland almost 1000 jobs have been supported through this fund. It's vital we support innovative public and private sector companies and community groups to move forward with ideas that will support local jobs, businesses and families. The money the Scottish Government has announced for Jedburgh is the latest step towards that and I very much welcome it."

The Scottish Government's £60 million Town Centre Regeneration Fund was opened to grant applications in April 2009. A wide range of bodies including local authorities, Community Planning Partnerships, Business Improvement Districts, Town Centre Managers, local Chambers of Commerce, businesses and third sector groups were eligible to apply.

Commenting on the Scottish Government's announcement of the second round of town centre regeneration funding Michael Moore, Liberal Democrat MP for Berwickshire, Roxburgh and Selkirk said: "The announcement is good news for Jedburgh and I'm sure it will be used well to make a difference for the town. I commend all of those responsible for making the application.

"However, it is now clear that the Borders has been considerably short changed in the allocation of this fund. If the £60 million fund had been allocated using the normal local government formula, the Borders would have received a quarter of a million pounds more than it has done with the two successful applications."

Jeremy Purvis, Liberal Democrat MSP for Tweeddale, Ettrick and Lauderdale added: "I pay tribute to the communities of Galashiels, Selkirk and Peebles and I share their disappointment at being ignored in this process.

"The allocations method has been flawed. We know that if it had been distributed fairly to local authorities the Borders would have received £1.2m rather than the £950,000 they did. That missing funding would have been able to support other town centres across the region."