SIC anxious to hear of ferry funding news

SHETLAND Islands Council has reminded the Scottish Government of its commitment to help fund the running and capital cost of its inter-island ferry service.

Following lengthy negotiations with Transport Scotland during which a principal agreement on the issue was reached, councillors were disappointed when no funding announcement was made towards the end of last year.

A sum of £12 million has been earmarked in the Scottish Government’s draft budget 2017/18 in support of ferry services in Shetland and Orkney, but this has not been approved by parliament.

As the SIC is setting its own budget next month, an urgent plea has been made to the government to commit to an early announcement on additional funding for inter-island transport.

Council leader Gary Robinson said: “The council is facing more funding cuts from government next financial year and clearly a statement on how it will support our inter-island transport services could go some way towards helping us to manage the ongoing reduction in public service finances.

“Our inter-island ferry services are vital to the economic and social wellbeing of islanders.

“This is a burden that most other Scottish authorities do not have to bear, and we now look forward to an early statement on how the Scottish Government can make good on its stated commitment to supporting island communities.”

A spokesman for Transport Scotland said: “We understand the significant financial challenges involved in providing inter-island ferry services and infrastructure. We are committed to fair-funding underpinning the provision of them.

“We will continue our discussions as we take forward plans for a fair budget which delivers for Scotland.”