Regeneration plan in place for port

A GOVERNMENT minister is to lead a new taskforce to regenerate Stranraer’s waterfront after a ferry operator moved its terminal further up the coast.

First Minister Alex Salmond announced the plan while opening Stena Line’s new Loch Ryan terminal, which links Scotland and Northern Ireland.

Infrastructure secretary Alex Neil will lead the group and work with the local council and other partners to explore options for the area. Alex Fergusson, the local Conservative MSP, pressed the First Minister on the issue in parliament on Thursday. Mr Salmond outlined three areas for improvement, covering road, rail and regeneration.

Rail improvements will see more direct trains between Ayr and Girvan and between Glasgow and Stranraer via Kilwinning. He said draft orders are being obtained on the Maybole bypass road.