Minister launches latest round of station regeneration grants

Disused station premises across Scotland could have a new lease of life thanks to a £1 million cash injection.

Transport Minister Keith Brown has launched the latest round of the Stations Community Regeneration Fund (SCRF), following the success of previous awards.

To date, almost £900,000 from the fund has helped turn disused space into community projects such as art galleries, heritage centres, cafes and even a bike repair centre

The latest pot of £100,000 is now available for further projects to benefit from the grants.

Mr Brown said: “The Stations Community Regeneration Fund is a prime example of how targeted investment can help stimulate economic growth while bringing community benefits.

“We have already seen good examples of this funding creating win-win situations through facilities such as cafes and heritage centres and artist studios. Passengers are already benefitting from improved facilities at stations while job opportunities are created.

I look forward to other similarly imaginative and innovative proposals from both individuals and organisations for regenerating empty station buildings in their own communities.”

The Stations Community Regeneration Fund will be managed and administered by ScotRail with applications being evaluated by Transport Scotland.

The scheme is one of 28 initiatives which have benefited from an investment fund of more than £70 million, managed by Transport Scotland, which has been created to improve Scotland's railways.

Application packs are available at http://www.scotrail.co.uk/sites/files/scrfappform.pdf