Green MSP pushes for Corran Ferry funding

Ariane Burgess MSP has called for more support to be provided for the proposed Corran Ferry replacement in the Scottish Parliament.

 

The Green Regional MSP for the Highlands and Islands, had previously written to the Transport Minister Jenny Gilruth about government support for the replacement.

 

Ms Burgess had asked what support the government could provide to Highland Council's Corran Ferry Infrastructure Improvement Scheme.

 

This scheme aims to replace two ageing ferries which are currently operating on the 10 minute trip from Ardgour to Corran with electric vessels.

 

The short voyage is the busiest single vessel route in Scotland, with around 270,000 cars being transported on 30,000 sailings every year.

 

On Tuesday January 31, Jenny Gilruth responded in trhe Chamber that: "At the request of the Scottish Government, CMAL is providing assistance to The Highland Council through our Small Vessel Replacement Programme. CMAL engages regularly with The Highland Council and partners, and continues to provide assistance with the vessel concept design, feasibility and infrastructure studies, as well as exploring key areas such as low emissions technologies.

 

Any proposals to decarbonise ferries are to be welcomed, however, decisions around procurement of these new ferries and funding are entirely a matter for The Highland Council."

 

At an Ardgour Community Council meeting in January, concerns were raised that the lifeline ferry service was facing an impending crisis with MV Maid of Glencoul capacity issues at the forefront of this.

 

The Community Council did however, support proposals for two new electric ferries to operate the route, but would also support the conversion of a diesel vessel as a short-term solution.

 

Ms Burgess also wanted to find out if the project met the recommendations contained within the Strategic Transport Projects Review Two (STPR2) for decarbonisation of ferries.

 

She said: “The Corran Ferry is a crucial link for the North-West Highlands and Highland Council have been diligent in carrying out consultation and research on the best way to protect this link. Decarbonising our ferries and transport infrastructure is a vital part of tackling the climate emergency, given that transport is the largest source of emissions in Scotland.

 

Ms Gilruth said: "STPR2 recommendation 24 relates only to the Clyde & Hebrides and Northern Isles ferry services networks that Scottish Ministers are directly responsible for."

 

I’ll continue to push for adequate funding and support for decarbonised ferry routes and will be asking further questions of the Transport Minister on alternative sources of funding and support for Highland Council to deliver these much-needed new vessels as soon as possible to connect communities in Lochaber and Ardnamurchan.”

 

Ms Burgess has submitted a further question to the Minister to ask what potential sources of available investment there are for low carbon transport solutions, that are in line with the Scottish Government's climate change commitments.