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| Version 2 | Version 3 |
|---|---|
| £200m investment in ferry switch | £200m investment in ferry switch |
| (40 minutes later) | |
| Ferry firm Stena Line has announced a £200m investment in plans to move its operations from Stranraer. | Ferry firm Stena Line has announced a £200m investment in plans to move its operations from Stranraer. |
| It will transfer to a new base nearer the mouth of Loch Ryan to cut journey times and reduce costs. | It will transfer to a new base nearer the mouth of Loch Ryan to cut journey times and reduce costs. |
| The company said 900 jobs would be created during the construction phase and 500 ferry jobs safeguarded. | The company said 900 jobs would be created during the construction phase and 500 ferry jobs safeguarded. |
| The ferry port move will also allow a masterplan for the wider regeneration of the waterfront area of Stranraer to proceed. | The ferry port move will also allow a masterplan for the wider regeneration of the waterfront area of Stranraer to proceed. |
| First Minister Alex Salmond and Stena Line chairman, Dan Sten Olsson, made the investment announcement in Edinburgh. | |
| Mr Salmond said: "This new development will safeguard and create 1,400 jobs and trigger significant investment in Dumfries and Galloway. | |
| The company says hundreds of jobs will be created during the move Moving a major transport gateway | The company says hundreds of jobs will be created during the move Moving a major transport gateway |
| "I am delighted to welcome the decision to approve this project and Stena Line's commitment and continuing contribution to the Scottish economy. | |
| "The relocation of the port to the new Loch Ryan port will also aid tourism with faster crossings between Scotland and Northern Ireland and help the regeneration of Stranraer as a major marine leisure area." | |
| Mr Olsson said the move provided Scotland with a "first-class port facility". | |
| "The link between Scotland and Northern Ireland provides a huge number of benefits for both countries," he said. | |
| "Tourism and freight business between Scotland and Northern Ireland has seen significant growth in recent years. | |
| "Despite the current difficult trading conditions we are confident that an investment of this magnitude will pay dividends over the medium to long term." | |
| Stena's intention to leave Stranraer was first signalled in February 2003 with its proposed relocation site further up Loch Ryan at Old House Point. | Stena's intention to leave Stranraer was first signalled in February 2003 with its proposed relocation site further up Loch Ryan at Old House Point. |
| 'New era' | |
| Shortly afterwards the company began talks with rivals P&O to look at sharing expanded facilities in Cairnryan. | Shortly afterwards the company began talks with rivals P&O to look at sharing expanded facilities in Cairnryan. |
| However, in 2007 those plans were dropped due to the prohibitive costs involved. | However, in 2007 those plans were dropped due to the prohibitive costs involved. |
| Last year Stena Line revealed it would revert to its original plans and make the move to Old House Point. | Last year Stena Line revealed it would revert to its original plans and make the move to Old House Point. |
| An announcement has now confirmed the investment to allow those proposals to go ahead. | An announcement has now confirmed the investment to allow those proposals to go ahead. |
| Galloway and Upper Nithsdale MSP Alex Fergusson welcomed the move. | Galloway and Upper Nithsdale MSP Alex Fergusson welcomed the move. |
| He said: "This formal announcement signals the start of a new era not just for Stena, but for the town of Stranraer itself. | He said: "This formal announcement signals the start of a new era not just for Stena, but for the town of Stranraer itself. |
| "Many will be nervous about what the future holds in store, but I take an optimistic view. | "Many will be nervous about what the future holds in store, but I take an optimistic view. |
| "I applaud Stena's decision, which will tie the company to Loch Ryan for the foreseeable future, and it opens up a potentially fantastic future for a dramatic redevelopment of Stranraer harbour waterfront." | "I applaud Stena's decision, which will tie the company to Loch Ryan for the foreseeable future, and it opens up a potentially fantastic future for a dramatic redevelopment of Stranraer harbour waterfront." |