A war of words has broken out between two councillors and an Angus MSP over Commonwealth Games cash.
Angus South MSP Graeme Dey told Brian Boyd and David May to “check their facts” after they complained that a £2 million Scottish Government spend on improving railway stations which are linked to the 2014 games has not taken account of Barry Links and Carnoustie.
Mr Dey said the Barry Links stop is not scheduled to be used in relation to the games shooting competition taking place at Barry Buddon, and in his response to the council pair said he was also puzzled why Montrose member Mr May would take an interest in the matter.
The councillors have now expressed “disappointment” over the MSP’s attack and suggested he is out of step with the collaborative ‘Team Angus’ approach being led by nationalist administration colleagues on Angus Council.
Mr Dey said: “I was taken aback to read that Councillors Boyd and May wanted money spent on improving facilities at Barry Links, as trains taking visitors to the shooting aren’t to be stopping there.
“Had either of them checked their facts they’d have learned that the intention is to have trains going into Carnoustie with the public being bussed out to Buddon from there.
“Organisers are looking at establishing a park and ride/walk site at the seafront and running shuttle buses to Barry Buddon for both rail and car users.
“The reasoning behind this is to encourage visitors to spend some time in the town either before or after their visit to the shooting and hopefully boost the local economy by spending money in the shops, bars and hotels.
“Presumably that’s something both of these gents would be supportive of although I’m somewhat bemused that Mr May, as a Montrose-based councillor, seems to be taking such an interest in this matter.’’
Mr Boyd said it was “a disappointing attack on an independent councillor who is trying to promote Angus”.
He said: “I would rather work with Mr Dey for the better of the area. Carnoustie is the only Angus burgh where the SNP is held in a minority position maybe Mr Dey should spend more time questioning this and bettering their position, rather than insulting one of the towns independent councillors.
“I find the comments most disappointing and not in the Team Angus spirit that the SNP-led council are trying to convey throughout the area.
“Not one comment was made by myself decrying the SNP; Carnoustie and its community groups were mentioned three times and only the mention of Barry was the photo.
“The railings outside Carnoustie station are in a poor state too and this has been discussed with Carnoustie Community Council members who are, thankfully, taking this matter on board with Scotrail.
“With Mr Dey being a long-term Carnoustie resident, I would assume he passes the station quite often.
“He would therefore be aware the state it is in and I would hope he would work with me sorting this rather than becoming involved in personal attacks in the press.
“Finally, the other alarming comment is that of a shuttle bus system based at the beach. How on earth will this encourage visitors to the High Street and to our hotels and bars?
“As usual, this will only means that visitors will arrive then leave as they do daily when they come to play golf. It has be proven time and again that this concept does not work.”
“The SNP were so critical of the London Olympics and not spreading the investment around the country yet now seem to be duplicating the strategies with Scotland’s Commonwealth Games.”
Mr May also hit back and said he believes all councillors have a role to play in representing their own burgh as well as Angus as a whole.
“Does the MSP believe that as a Montrose councillor, I should have no interest outside my own burgh, as I believe I have a dual role?
“As a regular visitor to Carnoustie, who has used the station there on many occasions, I would still argue that the first impression visitors who take the train get of our county, is likely to be of the railway stations so a spruce-up is still called for.”