PERTH WOULD be the ideal location for the new single police force headquarters, its council leader believes.
Councillor Ian Miller welcomed Tayside Joint Police Board’s decision to pitch for the Scottish Police national headquarters to come to Tayside, should it be moved from its interim base at Tulliallan.
Transport infrastructure, existing sites and population skills could all be tapped into, Mr Miller said.
“Perth clearly has all the credentials as the location of this important headquarters,” he said.
“Ninety per cent of Scotland’s population lives within 90 minutes travelling time of Perth, which is located at the centre of Scotland’s strategic transport network.
“Road links to Perth and Kinross from central Scotland are excellent, with direct motorway links to the rest of the UK.
“Perth Railway Station is an important hub in Scotland’s rail network. There are regular and fast links to all the other cities of Scotland and on to the rest of the UK.
“There is a major express coach interchange at Broxden, linked to the rail and local bus network. In addition, Dundee airport is just 20 miles away and has direct flights to London City.
“Edinburgh Airport, the main commercial airport for east central Scotland, is 35 miles away, and Glasgow Airport is 70 miles, all accessed by fast motorway links.”
He pointed out that Perth’s population growth is expected to be more than 20% over the next two decades.
Mr Miller said: “There are potentially many available sites for a new headquarters in, and near, Perth.
“These include various sites around the north and west of Perth, all with excellent motorway links.
“Cherrybank, situated on the western outskirts of Perth the site is surrounded to the north by the A93 and adjacent commercial sites, the east by a Park and Ride transport interchange which links with national and local bus, rail and road networks, the south and west by the M90 and A9 trunk roads at the Broxden roundabout intersection, with adjacent open farmland.
“Also Oudenarde, situated to the west of Perth, adjacent to the M90 and close to the A9.
“I believe that Perth is the perfect choice for a new headquarters of the Scottish police service which would benefit both the local area and the whole of Scotland by providing a cost-effective, sustainable, high-quality base in the heart of Scotland with a strategic position and excellent travel links to the rest of the country.
“Perth also provides an outstanding living and working environment, with an exceptional quality of life for those residing in the area.”
Councillor Kenny Black, convener of the joint board will write to Vic Emery, chairman of the Scottish Police Authority, to press Perth and Dundee’s cases.
Mr Miller said: “I am sure that Dundee City Council will no doubt also promote Dundee as a location for these headquarters.
“However, our two councils are committed to supporting each other, in this and any other opportunity that arises, to bring new investment and prosperity to the Tayside area.”
Perth is already home to the interim headquarters of the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service.
Although Justice Minister Kenny MacAskill appeared to rule out a move to one of Scotland’s largest cities, there are suspicions that Police Scotland Chief Constable Stephen House wants to take his headquarters to Glasgow.
Critics say this will raise the spectre of the new force becoming less a national service than an extension of the current Strathclyde Police.
That would open the door for political opponents of the Scottish Government, who are poised to take advantage of any perceived U-turn from the pledge of true community policing.
arichardson@thecourier.co.uk