Council pledge as Falkirk businesses start to re-open after lockdown

At a meeting of Falkirk Council s executive, one of the major projects highlighted was one that is hoped will help to improve public transport across the area.

Falkirk, Stirling and Clackmannanshire Councils - along with SEStran, Bus Users Scotland and bus service operators including First Bus - have formed the Forth Valley Bus Alliance.

They will be working together to bid for Forth Valley's share of the £500m Bus Partnership Fund, which was announced by the Scottish Government last year, but delayed due to the impact of COVID-19.

Working across the three council areas, the partnership aims to improve coordination of bus services in the Forth Valley area.

Councillors heard that the money would not be spent on supporting individual bus services, but rather on improving infrastructure.

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The three councils have also agreed to work closely together on a strategy to bring tourists back to the area as it begins to recover from the devastating impact of the coronavirus.

Falkirk Council's executive also heard an update on the council's ongoing work to pass on more than £38 million of government funding to businesses in the Falkirk area.

Councillors praised the staff from economic development, revenues, business fraud and web services for their hard work together to support this effort.

In total, 20 separate application processes have had to be developed and promoted on the Council’s website and social media platforms.

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