News / In brief for 17 October 2011
Tug talks
SIC LEADER Josie Simpson joined other council and government representatives in Edinburgh on Monday to discuss future provision of coastguard emergency towing vessels.
Mr Simpson said they emerged from the talks with Scottish secretary Michael Moore with a united front, saying this was a UK government problem that could not be solved by local authorities.
He said there had been talk of finding funding from the oil and gas industry, and dual usage of the vessels on tasks like fisheries protection. The group is likely to meet again next month.
The government has found £3 million to keep the two Scottish tugs going until the end of the year until a more permanent solution can be found.
Bike tests
NORTHERN isles MP Alistair Carmichael has welcomed steps to allow learner motorcyclists to take both parts of their test in Shetland.
As of last week learners are able to take the off road portion of their test at Anderson High School in Lerwick for the first time since it was introduced three years ago.
Mr Carmichael said that while the last government “shrugged its shoulders” when he complained about the difficulties the off road test would cause island riders, the coalition had responded.
He said: “The announcement that the Department for Transport is now working to make more testing slots available at non-Driving Standards Agency sites is welcome.
“I know that the lack of approved testing facilities in the isles has hit local driving instructors hard and hope that this change will give them a boost as we wait for details of the new, simplified testing process to emerge.”
AMEC win Clair contract
GLOBAL engineering consultants AMEC have won a £150 million contract to build the main platforms for the Clair Ridge project, announced by oil giant BP last week.
Clair Ridge is the second phase of the Clair field, 40 miles north west of Shetland, which BP hopes will start production in 2016, piping 120,000 barrels of oil a day into Sullom Voe terminal until 2050.
Work has already started on designing the two platforms which will be linked by a bridge and are scheduled to be installed offshore in 2015.
Fraud warning
SHOPKEEPERS in the far north are being warned about a telephone scam that lost a Highland shop £500.
A caller phoned the shop in Golspie telling the staff member they knew the owner, before persuading them to generate two £250 Paypoint vouchers and tell them the unique numbers.
When the assistant tried to take payment the caller hung up and the codes were used immediately on the internet.
Northern Constabulary want to hear from anyone who knows about this scam to call them on 01463 715555.
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