News / New islands transport forum
A SCOTLAND wide transport forum to discuss islands specific transport issues has been establish by Scottish islands minister Derek Mackay.
The group will meet twice a year and deal with internal and external ferry, air, and other transport services upon which each of the island communities depend.
The minister announced the move following a meeting of the islands area ministerial working group, held in Orkney on Tuesday.
The new forum will consider the following issues:
- improving collaboration between Transport Scotland, RTPs and islands councils and ensuring clarity with regard to roles;
- establishing a process that fully accounts for island-specific view;
- ensuring efficient and effective lines of communication between all key stakeholders to facilitate improved consultation and engagement.
The meeting in Kirkwall was held one day after first minister Nicola Sturgeon announced plans to consult on an islands bill during the summer.
Mackay said: “The Scottish Government previously committed to looking at devolving more autonomy to our islands and decentralise decision making to those who live and work in these unique parts of Scotland.
“We have taken a further two steps in that direction by announcing the islands transport forum today and our consultation on the islands bill which will be published this summer.”
Orkney Islands Council convener Steven Heddle said: “At today’s meeting we raised a range of transport issues, matters of fundamental importance to the people we serve.
“As island communities, we need air and ferry links that people can depend on and afford to use.
“This is vital for the wellbeing of our communities and our discussions focused on how we can ensure Orkney, Shetland and the Western Isles are served by transport links that are sustainable long term and less costly in future than they are at present.”
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