The Scottish Government has announced an additional £50 million investment in the Tay cities region that will support manufacturing businesses and the delivery of the Cross Tay Link Road.

First Minister Nicola Sturgeon confirmed £40 million will be invested in the new road, which will link the A9 over the River Tay to the A93 and A94 north of Scone, reducing congestion in Perth and opening up sites for housing and economic development.

The remaining £10 million will fund an industrial investment programme to support manufacturing businesses across the region — covering Dundee, Perth, Angus and the north of Fife.

This funding is in addition to the Scottish Government’s £150 million commitment to the Tay Cities Region Deal and brings overall Scottish Government investment in the area to £200 million over the next 10 to 15 years.

Sturgeon said: “Our further £50 million investment in the Tay cities region will support transport infrastructure and manufacturing projects, benefiting people and businesses and ensuring the area continues to grow and thrive.

“As well opening up land for new housing and employment sites, the Cross Tay Link Road will reduce traffic congestion in and around Perth and improve the air quality in the city centre and Bridgend.

“The £10 million industrial investment programme will help drive forward our ambitions to be a global manufacturing leader, creating opportunities for businesses right across the region.

“I am confident the Scottish Government’s overall investment of £200 million in the Tay Cities region will improve people’s quality of life and encourage sustainable economic growth in the Tay area and Scotland as a whole.”

Councillor Murray Lyle, leader of Perth & Kinross Council, said: “The news of funding for the Cross Tay Link Road is hugely welcome.

“This project supports the exciting expansion of Perth and Kinross, opening up new housing, industrial development and job creation in the beating heart of Scotland.

“As well as being a multi-million pound infrastructure project in itself, the road will support the growing population in the area to live life well and expand opportunities for inward investment and better connectivity across Scotland.”

The Cross Tay Link Road is part of Perth & Kinross Council’s Perth Transport Futures plan.