TIMBER transport projects which help minimise the impacts of timber lorries on Scotland’s rural road network are set to share in a £7 million boost.

The cash injection, which has recently been agreed by the Scottish Parliament, will go towards improving minor roads and promoting the transport of timber by sea.

In the last five years, the Scottish Government has invested around £34 million in 187 projects across Scotland.

This investment, under the Strategic Timber Transport Fund, has also saved 5 million timber lorry miles through transporting timber by sea, reducing the need for heavy goods vehicles to use the same small roads as rural communities.

READ MORE: JST to support timber shipping with linkspan bridge investment

Rural Economy Secretary Fergus Ewing said: “Getting timber to market is a vital part of the forestry processing chain and very important in our green recovery. The movement of this timber can have knock-on effects for local communities and the funding aims to reduce this where possible.

“The demand for funding is very healthy and we aim to announce the successful timber transport projects in the summer.”

Much of the STTF goes towards work on minor B and C class and unclassified roads. This could include improving drainage systems, strengthening surfaces, widening corners, adding traffic-calming measures and by providing passing places – making it easier for local residents and business to share the rural road network.

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