Holyrood View - Hoping for second chance to access transformational cash

It is around 50 years since railway enthusiasts set up a group to save the branch line between Brechin and Bridge of Dun.

In that time, its popularity has grown alongside Glamis Castle as one of the top tourist attractions in Angus.

Over the years, I have been there many times and have always backed the railway’s work.

I’m sure lots of people will have fond memories of taking young ones on one of the popular Thomas the Tank Engine days and The Polar Express in the festive period.

This could have all been a different story for Brechin.

In 2022, the railway was the sole applicant in Angus for part of a £212 million Scottish cash pot provided by the UK Government.

But the SNP administration of the time voted against endorsing the bid, after council officers warned there was a financial risk to the council if the project didn’t meet targets.

They had been told there was no target and no prospect of clawback.

The SNP administration also voted against deferring the decision so more time could be spent on the application.

The only reason is that it was money from the UK Government.

Angus at a stroke lost £18 million which would have buoyed the railway as a major attraction, bringing in visitors and income from even further afield than it does now.

The Caley bid pulled together achievable, measured capital projects, which were to be managed by an expert team who worked on major engineering projects across the UK.

Elsewhere, East Renfrewshire was able to present an £18m bid to the UK Government, just one month after voting in councillors with ability. Angus could have had that money.

Let’s hope that the Labour government revives the levelling up agenda and Angus gets another chance to apply for transformational amounts of money.

In the meantime, let’s all hope that this disagreement resolves quickly and the railway stays focused on delivering brilliant days out for families, from nearby and far afield.