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Minister's defence of air traffic control centralisation plans 'embarrassing', says north MSP


By Gordon Calder

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A NORTH MSP has slammed the Scottish Transport Minister’s defence of plans to centralise Highlands and Islands air traffic control services in Inverness as “embarrassing”.

Rhoda Grant hit out after Michael Matheson appeared before the Scottish Parliament’s petitions committee last week to speak about the controversial proposal and to answer questions. The plan – mooted by Highlands and Islands Airports Ltd (Hial) – would result in the downgrading of Wick John O’Groats Airport, it has been claimed.

MSP Rhoda Grant has slammed plans to centralise north air traffic control services in Inverness
MSP Rhoda Grant has slammed plans to centralise north air traffic control services in Inverness

Mrs Grant, the Labour MSP for the Highlands and Islands, backs calls for the centralisation plans to be halted until an independent investigation can be undertaken and accused Mr Matheson of being Hial’s puppet. She claimed the minister is uninterested in the detail, technicalities and impacts on communities as a result of the project.

She said: “I don’t think any politician, any cabinet minister wants to be blamed for the economic damage that this is going to cause. We really believe that this is not the best option.”

After the meeting, Mrs Grant said: “Michael Matheson was a stuck record at the petitions committee and no question, no argument, no logic could sway him from the root line he has been fed by Hial – that no other option tackles all the fundamental issues that need to be addressed.

“The problem is that this line just proves how disengaged he is from the project, and shows that at best he is acting as Hial’s puppet.” She accused Mr Matheson of “prideful stubbornness” by not looking at other options.

“The fact is that staff do not want this and communities don’t want this. Both have offered to work with Hial and Michael Matheson with regard to find better solutions to the problems being faced, and those solutions are easy. With a combination of radar – which is likely to have to be introduced anyway – and effective local recruitment and training programmes, the costs and impacts of upgrading ATC services could be halved.”

Mrs Grant added: “I am flummoxed by the central belt centred logic that Mr Matheson is implementing here. It shows a powerful lack of imagination and ambition for our rural areas which are trying to grow their air traffic businesses.”

Hial has previously said is plans will ensure the long-term sustainability of all its airports, while securing air services to the Highlands and Islands for generations to come.

The Scottish Government has been approached for comment.


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