Core store should remain in Edinburgh – Pringle (South Of Scotland Liberal Democrats)

South Of Scotland Liberal Democrats <info@libdems.org.uk>

Core store should remain in Edinburgh – Pringle

March 25, 2010 5:36 PM
Originally published by Scottish Liberal Democrats

Mike Pringle MSP has renewed his call for the National Offshore Oil and Gas Core Storage facility currently located at Gilmerton in Edinburgh to stay, branding the British Geological Survey's proposals to move it to Keyworth in Nottinghamshire "full of holes".

His comments follow the Members Debate he hosted regarding the issue at the Scottish Parliament at which members expressed cross party support for the store remaining in Edinburgh.

Mike Pringle said:

"If the core samples move from Edinburgh to Keyworth it will not just be a huge blow to Scottish industry and universities but put the entire archive, valued at several billion pounds, at risk.

"The British Geological Survey's proposals for the move are full of holes. Important questions remain over the costs and timings of the fragile geological core's safe transportation, the value of the Gilmerton site, the increased costs for students and industry users wishing to visit the proposed new location in Keyworth and the integrity of the consultation the whole move is based on.

"It came as no surprise to me that when Irene Gunner retired rather than choose to oversee the project she called the whole draft proposal "nonsensical".

"Industry experts, universities and political opinion are all against this move, the Core Store must remain in Edinburgh."