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Karen Adam is now the MSP for Banffshire and Buchan Coast

This web site will no longer be updated save to correct errors.


25 January 2004

MSP Welcomes Minister's Response on A90 Improvements

Banff & Buchan MSP Stewart Stevenson has welcomed a response from Transport Minister Nicol Stephen that the Scottish Executive is considering further upgrading of the A90 between Peterhead and Aberdeen.

The news came in response to a Parliamentary Question tabled by Mr Stevenson on A90 improvements.

Mr Stevenson, who has been an active campaigner on road safety and road improvements since he was elected, commented:

“I met with the Transport Minister Nicol Stephen recently to discuss road safety improvements to the A90 south of Fraserburgh following recent tragic accidents on the road and the Minister undertook to study the accident reports carefully to see what improvements could be made.

“Following our meeting, I also tabled questions on the A90 south of Peterhead and the Minister has now confirmed to me that an appraisal has been carried out on the single-carriageway stretch between Balmedie and Tipperty and the Scottish Executive is now considering its conclusions.

“With no local rail link into Aberdeen, a good road network is essential to keep the local economy moving. Traffic snarl-ups on the road into Aberdeen place local businesses at a disadvantage at a time when we need every advantage we can get.

“I would therefore urge the Scottish Executive to look seriously at the benefits of dualling the route when considering their response.”

23 January 2004

MP & MSP Reveal Shocking results of Local Post Office Survey

Banff & Buchan representatives Stewart Stevenson MSP and Alex Salmond MP have announced the results of the survey of local Post Offices. The survey was launched at Fetterangus Post Office last month.

Mr Salmond and Mr Stevenson have vigorously opposed Government plans which will lead to a decline in Post Office usage through paying pensions and benefits directly to bank accounts and other proposals which threaten the universal mail service.

The SNP representatives wrote directly to all postmasters in Banff & Buchan seeking their views on the current situation in an effort to provide as much support as possible for the rural Post Office network.

Commenting on the results, Mr Salmond said:

“This has been a very worthwhile exercise and has unfortunately proved that some of my fears are well-founded.

“For instance, over 90 per cent of those who responded felt that the future of their business is under threat from the Government’s move towards direct payment of pensions and benefits. Similar numbers did not feel that enough was being done to promote the new Post Office Card Account or, more importantly, that the application process was straightforward enough.

“This has serious implications for the future of all Post Offices but is especially worrying when so many of the Post Offices in Banff & Buchan are also the sole shop in their village or community.”


Mr Stevenson added:

“A large amount of Post Office income has, until now, come from processing benefit payments but more recently the Government has been encouraging claimants to have benefits paid directly to their bank accounts. The resulting decrease in income for Post Offices means that for many, their future viability could be in question. It is therefore is great concern that our survey has revealed that 68 per cent of respondents felt that the public did not know that they could use certain bank accounts at the Post Office.

“I want to see every effort made to support the continued existence of the Post Office network which is at the heart of our communities.

“I hope that the results of our survey will give us fresh ammunition in our campaign to secure the future of the Post Office and I should like to thank all those who responded with their very valuable feedback.”


While individual responses will remain confidential, the overall results and comments will be sent to the Department for Work and Pensions and the Minister responsible for the Post Office as part of Mr Salmond and Mr Stevenson’s continued efforts on the issue.

Stewart Stevenson
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However Google who publish for us, may do.
fiosZS is a name registered in Scotland for Stewart Stevenson
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