Transport / Extra £10m connectivity funding could go towards improving ferry resilience
A PROPOSED £10 million funding boost from the Scottish Government for inter-island connectivity looks likely to be used to improve the resilience of Shetland Islands Council’s ferry fleet.
North Isles councillor Duncan Anderson said a “sensible use” of the funding would be to go towards procuring an additional ferry.
SIC leader Emma Macdonald said although it will need to be decided by the council how the £10 million is spent, ferry resilience would be a good fit.
The £10 million of capital funding features in the Scottish Government’s budget for the next financial year, which is set to be approved following SNP deals with the Liberal Democrats and the Greens.
Orkney Islands Council was due to receive the same amount but the budget deal will see £8 million of capital be switched to resource funding to better suit local needs.
When the draft budget was announced late last year, finance secretary Shona Robison said the new funding could be used for inter-island connectivity resilience – whether that be “ferries, flight or fixed links”.
That led to some national media coverage focus on tunnels but in Shetland the priority appears to be on ferry resilience.
The fragility of the ferry service has been laid bare in recent times when a vessel goes out of action, due to a technical fault for example or a scheduled trip to dry dock.
The SIC has the Fivla as a so-called “spare” vessel but it is regularly called into service to step in as cover.
The latest disruption in Whalsay, which will see a revised timetable put in place from 10 February to 1 March, is due to unforeseen dry docking delays for the route’s Linga ferry and as well as the Fivla.
Skerries ferry Filla is being drafted in to help the Whalsay ferry Hendra during the period.
These ferries are ageing, with the Hendra for example more than 40 years old.
Anderson, who hails from Whalsay, said it is “clear that all the vessels are in need of replacement and that keeping the service going is becoming more and more difficult”.
“In the short term, there is a blatant need for an additional vessel given the docking schedule of the fleet,” he added.
“If the £10 million is forthcoming, I believe a sensible use for it would be to go towards the procurement of an additional vessel, be that new or second hand.
“Nobody wants to be in the situation we are currently in, and the council recognises the strain the current issues places on the community.”
Leader Macdonald, who represents the Shetland North ward, said ferry resilience is a big priority for the SIC.
She referred to a ferry resilience report which went in front of councillors last year which gave the green light to exploring opportunities for the acquisition of second-hand and new vessels build in extra capacity.
“This funding in my view would fit into that category but it will need to be decided by council,” Macdonald added.
In terms of fixed links consultants are continuing to work on a new inter-island connectivity strategy which will explore the possibility of tunnels as longer term solutions in addition to ferry services.
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