Dave Thompson MSP

Dave Thompson, SNP MSP for Skye, Lochaber and Badenoch, has today raised a motion in the Scottish Parliament to congratulate Cairngorm Mountain Rescue Team on its 50th Anniversary.

Over that time, the team have been involved in over 3000 rescues and this winter has been the busiest on record for the team in over 30 years.

Dave Thompson, SNP MSP for Skye, Lochaber and Badenoch has welcomed the announcement that Scotland Transerv are to carry out improvements on the A9 cycleway.

Commenting on this, Dave said: “I am pleased that as well as the on-going work to dual the A9, the cycleway will also be improved. Making the route more accessible to cyclists and disabled walkers is very welcome, and I hope that this will be the first of many improvements to cycling facilities on the A9.

Dave Thompson, SNP MSP for Skye, Lochaber and Badenoch, has warmly welcomed the announcement by Highlands and Islands Enterprise that a £146 million investment project will bring high speed fibre optic broadband to Skye, Lochaber and Badenoch and the commitment by HIE to provide broadband to the areas not covered by fibre optic by other means.

Commenting on this, Dave said: “This is fantastic news for the Skye, Lochaber and Badenoch, who have long had to endure a poorer connection than most of the rest of Scotland.

Dave Thompson, SNP MSP for Skye, Lochaber and Badenoch has today welcomed the news that a huge majority of respondents to the Scottish Governments consultation have backed the proposed reduction to the drink driving limit, and called for Westminster to recognise the desire of the Scottish public to see drink driving tackled, and devolve powers to allow the Scottish Government to adjust the penalties and introduced random breathalyser tests.

Almost 74% of those who responded to the survey have backed the Scottish Governments plans to reduce the drink driving limit in Scotland.

Dave Thompson, SNP MSP for Skye, Lochaber and Badenoch, has welcomed the news that the proposed wind farm at Clach Liath on the south slopes of Ben Wyvis will not proceed.

Falck, the company behind the proposal, have decided not to appeal to The Highland Council decision which rejected the wind farm application.

Dave Thompson, SNP MSP for Skye, Lochaber and Badenoch, has welcomed the news that the Scottish Environmental Protection Authority (SEPA) has no objection to the river side site in Conon Bridge being redeveloped.

Dave wrote to Highland Council to enquire about the progress of the proposed redevelopment of the derelict Pescanova Fish Factory in February.

Dave Thompson, SNP MSP for Skye, Lochaber and Badenoch has urged Highland Council to approach the Scottish Government to discuss the FlySkye proposals to bring flights back to Skye.

Commenting on this, Dave said: “I am confident Highland Council are keen to pursue the FlySkye initiative. Given the Minister’s assurances to me that he was happy to meet with the Council to discuss the project, I hope the Council speedily does just that.

Responding to a question from Dave Thompson, SNP MSP for Skye, Lochaber and Badenoch, Cabinet Secretary for Health and Wellbeing Alex Neil revealed that Dr Kim Holt, a founding member of Patients First had been consulted in preparing a tender document for the national alert line.

Commenting on this, Dave said: “I was pleased to facilitate the meeting between the Cabinet Secretary and Dr Holt, and I am glad that the meeting was helpful in the formulation of the tender document.

Dave Thompson, SNP MSP for Skye, Lochaber and Badenoch, has welcomed the news that round two of the Coastal Communities Fund will make £2.4 million available for projects in the Highlands and Islands.

Projects which support the Fund’s goal of job creation and securing existing jobs are being encouraged to apply for funding ahead of the deadline on the 26th April.

Dave Thompson, SNP MSP for Skye, Lochaber and Badenoch has written to Transport Scotland and Transport Minister Keith Brown to raise safety issues on the A87.

Dave attended a public meeting where a quarter of the Breakish population attended to hear local concerns over the road.

Commenting on this, Dave said: “The section of the A87 at Breakish does not have a pavement and is unsafe for pedestrians and cyclists and also causes difficulties for motorists. Improvements to this road were started many years ago but the final phases were not followed through.

Crofting needs support

Dave Thompson, SNP MSP for Skye, Lochaber and Badenoch spoke recently in the Scottish Parliament to highlight the importance of crofting, and the threat from the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs in London.

Commenting on this, Dave said: “Around 17 per cent of Scotland’s crofts are in my constituency, so crofting is an extremely important issue for me.