9. To ask the Scottish Government what progress is being made on the Dundee port railhead as recommended in the Tayside and central Scotland transport partnership’s strategy. (S4O-03749)

Discussions on the feasibility of the Dundee port railhead are on-going between tactran, the freight industry and relevant stakeholders. We understand that, at this stage, a suitable business case has still to be developed. We are committed to encouraging growth in rail freight, as is evidenced by our £30 million strategic rail freight investment fund, which will be available over the next five years, and the separate freight facilities grant scheme, which supports the transfer of freight from road to more sustainable modes. We will keep the issue under review.

Discussions on the issue have been on-going for years now with the Scottish Executive and Scottish Government. The railhead has been costed at £3 million to £4 million. I have been leading a project to try to bring hundreds of decommissioning jobs to Dundee and have held weekly meetings with Scottish Enterprise, Forth Ports and Dundee City Council on how we could do that. The railhead is a key part of the infrastructure to allow materials to be brought to the port. Will the Scottish Government consider funding the Dundee railhead as a key part of the infrastructure that is required to bring hundreds of jobs to our city?

I am more than happy to offer a meeting with Jenny Marra to explore the matter. The key issue is private sector investment, and developers will have a keen interest. It is a complex issue, and we have to look at actual demand for the railhead. If the member wants to look at the issue constructively, I am more than happy to offer a meeting.