A bid for a "green freeport" in the west of Scotland will create 600 Lanarkshire jobs if successful.
The multi-billion pound Clyde Green Freeport proposal for an air, sea and rail economic zone on the River Clyde is being finalised and will be submitted later this month.
And Lanarkshire Live can exclusively reveal that Mossend International Railfreight Park next to Bellshill will be a major and key component in making the ambitious bid a reality.
If successful, the local freight zone, which already operates an electric rail, would receive millions of pounds of investment to build additional rail lines and warehousing space for storing freight goods.
The substantial increase of goods coming into Mossend would create hundreds of jobs and boost the local economy.
A green freeport is a large, zoned area within a defined boundary which includes a rail, sea or airport. Operators and businesses in the zone can benefit from a package of tax and other incentives.
Clyde Green Freeport would maximise the area’s transport network and facilities at Glasgow Airport, the freight interchange at Mossend and four deep-water ports on the River Clyde. It would also make significant progress towards decarbonising the area’s transport infrastructure.
The network is in partnership with the Glasgow City Region councils, and businesses across the region are being asked to back the bid.
There will only be two green freeports in Scotland, funded by £52 million by the UK Government.
Both the UK and Scottish governments will decide on their locations once bids are submitted by June 20.
A source representing Mossend International Railfreight Park as part of the Clyde Green Freeport proposal told Lanarkshire Live this week they believe they are in a "strong position", especially with the rail zone's vital role in transporting goods.
He added: "It will create a huge number of jobs and will be a huge economic boost to the area."
The local rail freight park also holds around at least one third of the land required to meet the freeport criteria - meaning the other locations within the Clyde network would have to make up the rest.
Andrew Stirling, Peter D Stirling Ltd and Mossend International Railfreight Park Director, added: "Along with our partners, we’re in a very good position at Mossend to deliver this bid.
"With our existing electric rail infrastructure and plans for our all electric rail freight terminal and freight park, all to be operated using alternative energies that put Scotland at the forefront in the UK for championing zero-carbon rail freight."
Mossend International Railfreight Park will be Scotland’s largest multi-modal rail freight park. It has 2.2 million square feet of low carbon logistics space designed to support businesses, Scotland and the UK’s green legacy.
The space will consist of an electrified rail freight terminal and a manufacturing and warehouse area that will facilitate access to zero-carbon supply chain logistics.
The Clyde Green Freeport as a whole, if successful, is said to be able to attract major new investment to Glasgow City Region, develop global trading opportunities, create tens of thousands of new jobs, accelerate net zero objectives agreed at COP26, and take the region’s world-class innovation economy to the next level.
Kevin Rush, Clyde Green Freeport Bid Senior Responsible Officer and Director of Regional Economic Growth for Glasgow City Region, said: “As Scotland’s economic powerhouse, Glasgow City Region is uniquely positioned to create a highly successful green freeport to put the country at the forefront of global trade and decarbonisation.”
He added: “We have everything necessary to make a successful bid: unrivalled connectivity across the UK and beyond; one of the most educated populations in the UK; a GVA of £47.3 billion and 33 per cent of Scotland’s GDP; three world-class innovation districts; home to internationally acclaimed universities and research institutes; and renowned business expertise across key sectors of aerospace, advanced engineering, manufacturing, maritime and medical.
“Glasgow City Region is at the heart of the Scottish economy, providing almost 30 per cent of the country’s business base and 34 per cent of its jobs.
“As well as the enormous economic boost and competitive advantage a successful bid would bring to Glasgow City Region, it would also support enterprise, regeneration and trade across the rest of Scotland and the UK.”
Locals are asked to visit www.clydegreenfreeport.co.uk for more information on the proposals.
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