PLANS have been unveiled for the creation of a new rural mobility hub in Brechin, as part of Angus Council’s long-term plans to drive sustainable development in the area.
The local authority and Dalhousie Estates signed a memorandum of understanding to develop the hub within a regional business park to provide the infrastructure, services and skills programme needed to enable the Tay region’s transition to a low carbon, inclusive economy.
Receiving funding from the UK Government’s £26.5 million Angus fund, as part of the Tay cities region deal, the council said that the new hub will be located on the A90 – halfway between Aberdeen and Dundee – and will integrate zero carbon energy systems with mobility services, enabling a ‘smart mobility infrastructure’.
Angus Council leader, councillor David Fairweather, said, “This is fantastic news for Brechin and an exciting opportunity to work with the private sector to explore the possibilities of combining zero carbon energy systems with mobility services. This partnership continues to build on the Clean Growth and Low Carbon development and innovation work we are delivering across Angus through the Tay Cities and Mercury programme.”
Lord Simon Ramsay, of Dalhousie Estates, added, “Dalhousie Estates are delighted to support Angus Council in exploring the infrastructure and services that can enable the decarbonisation of energy through solutions that are clean, accessible and affordable. Angus is extremely well placed to showcase how renewable energy can be generated and supplied to our communities, particularly within the area of transportation and the hard to tackle heavy goods and logistics sector.
“This project is closely aligned with Dalhousie Estate’s commitment to support rural economy and employment whilst being able to provide net zero opportunities for the local community and wider transport industry, which will help protect and enhance our local environment. Through the MoU, we are able to build on a long-standing working relationship with Angus Council and local communities to develop the ambition for the Angus Rural Mobility Hub.
“The project has the potential to deliver a step change in clean transport infrastructure on the national trunk road network and in doing so, create skills and new career opportunities within Angus and the Tay region.”
