EU Commissioner told of fears over Zeebrugge ferry threat

CONCERNS over the possible closure of the Rosyth to Zeebrugge ferry route have been raised by East Lothian's deputy provost on a trip to Europe.

Councillor Roger Knox was invited to meet the European Union Commissioner Danuta Hubner in Brussels to discuss aid for economically disadvantaged areas. He was recently appointed Scottish local government member on the EU's Committee of the Regions.

Cllr Knox told the commissioner that the loss of the ferry route was a key area of concern.

He said: "I told her that I was concerned about the possible closure of the Rosyth Ferry to Zeebrugge which would mean that Scotland would have no continental sea link for freight or passengers." He also said councils would like to see the methods to determine EU funding simplified and more areas to be eligible.

"I was pleased to hear from the commissioner that this was her current line of thinking," he said.