Scottish Rugby expressed its surprise and disappointment today at what it described as further misleading and inaccurate comments made by Mr Bob Carruthers in a national newspaper, on this occasion regarding the land owned by the Scottish Rugby Union at Murrayfield.

Mr Carruthers is quoted in the Herald saying there is a “danger of stripping assets out of SRU PLC” in reference to the 40 acres of Scottish Rugby land located at the national stadium.

Scottish Rugby is concerned that such comments may be misleading for the public and rugby supporters and sought to further clarify the facts.

Scottish Rugby has no plans for any residential development on its six back pitches and views them as an integral part of its rugby business.

It has a long term agreement with its tenant club, Murrayfield Wanderers, for their use of these pitches. Furthermore, under stadium planning consents, Scottish Rugby is legally required to make these pitches available for car parking for major events at the stadium.

Two key developments which will affect these pitches in a minor way are currently being promoted by the City of Edinburgh Council. These are the proposed tram route along Murrayfield’s southern boundary and the recently approved flood defence scheme. Neither of these Council-led schemes will lead to major alterations or any development on the six back pitches.

In later years Scottish Rugby may consider future development of a small brownfield land site to the north of the stadium, currently used as a coach park beside the Murrayfield Ice Rink.

It has been suggested by Mr Carruthers that this Scottish Rugby land could host a mini stadium for the use of Edinburgh Rugby Ltd.

However it is clear that there is insufficient brownfield land there for this use and any proposal in this regard from Edinburgh Rugby would have to involve building on the back rugby pitches. As already stated, Scottish Rugby has no plans for any development on these rugby pitches.

Finally, Scottish Rugby is concerned that the amount of time Mr Carruthers would appear to be spending on Borders matters may be detracting from his essential work to ensure the future success not only of Edinburgh Rugby but also in securing major concerts for Murrayfield Stadium.

This article was posted on 3-Apr-2007, 21:22 by Hugh Barrow.