Perthshire North MSP, John Swinney, has joined forces with the Tay and Earn Trust to help promote greater public use of the River Tay.

On a boat trip run by the Tay and Earn Trust this week, Mr Swinney met with Trust members to discuss their plans to help develop public use of the river. As part of an ongoing regeneration project the Trust is seeking to build pontoons on the river bank, designed to encourage small boat and canoe owners to use the Tay for leisure and tourism activities, after receiving financial backing from the Coastal Communities Fund.

Commenting, Mr Swinney said:

“The River Tay is an excellent natural, local resource. The Tay and Earn Trust has done an excellent job in managing and maintaining the river banks and footpaths, and I am very pleased that their regeneration work is beginning to improve access to the river, for visitors.

“The pontoon project, as part of the regeneration, is an exciting prospect that will open the River up to new users and one that will hopefully encourage more people to make safe use of the River for leisure pursuits.

“I am very grateful to the Trust for taking the time to take me out onto the open water, and I hope many more people will be able to take advantage of this incredible resource in the future as a result of the work being done.”

The pontoon project is being funded by grants from the Coastal Communities Fund, whilst Perth and Kinross Council is also providing assistance to help improve access to the Tay. The work follows the completion of Phase 1 of the Willowgate Activity Centre, with Phase 2 funding secured for further work to take place.

Notes:

Further information about the Tay and Earn Trust pontoon project is available here:

http://www.tayandearntrust.org/projects/river-tay-pontoons/

Attached is a photograph of John Swinney MSP with members of the Tay and Earn Trust, ahead of their boat trip. The boat sailed from Wellowgate to Elcho Castle.