RHA welcomes new Scottish transport minister

The RHA has welcomed the new Scottish transport minister, Jenny Gilruth, into her role and thanked outgoing politician, Graeme Dey, for his work.

Gilruth was appointed transport minister following the exit of Dey due to health reasons.

Speaking about the new appointment, RHA Director for Scotland and Northern Ireland, Martin Reid, said: “I am sorry to hear Mr Dey has stepped down because of ill health. I have personally written to him to thank him for his work and to wish him well for the future.

“I have also written to the new Transport Minster to welcome her to the post and offer our support as she transitions into her new role.

“The Transport Minister will oversee a number of projects that are vital to supply chains in Scotland and beyond. Whether it is capacity on the Western and Northern Isle ferries, progress on the A83 or the upgrading of key trade routes such as the A96 and A75, it is imperative there is no slow down of momentum during this transition.

“The RHA offers our full support in progressing these solutions”.

Absolute privilege

Mr Dey was appointed transport minister in May 2021 and said it had been “an absolute privilege” to serve as a minister, and the resignation was entirely due to health and wellbeing reasons.

First Minister Nicola Sturgeon thanked him for being a “highly effective minister” – and left the door open for him to make a return to front-line politics in the future. She also praised Gilruth as a “vote of confidence in a new generation of ministerial talent”.

Ms Gilruth, who formally had a role as a minister for culture, Europe and International Development, said transport would help Scotland to “become a world leader in achieving our goal to become net zero by 2045”.