Transport / Better cabin access for islanders to be discussed at SNP conference
A MOTION that could result in easier access to cabin and vehicle space for islanders on NorthLink ferries has made it to the main agenda of next month’s SNP conference.
The idea was first mooted by the party’s parliamentary candidate Hannah Mary Goodlad at the start of her election campaign last month.
It has now been confirmed that the policy change will be discussed at the annual conference, to be held in Aberdeen from 11 to 13 October.
The motion calls on the Scottish Government to work with the ferry operator and agency Transport Scotland to issue a variation to the NorthLink contract. At this stage it is not known how long that process may take.
If approved that could see some cabin and vehicles space reserved for island travellers during the peak season from May and September. It could also scrap peak season surcharges for island residents.
The move, if approved and implemented, would recognise that the lifeline service between Lerwick and Aberdeen is “essential public transport rather than luxury travel”.
The motion due to go before the conference reads: “These two measures would uphold Scotland’s commitment to island-proofing public services, ensure equity of access to essential transport, and could provide a national model for balancing the needs of residents and visitors on other lifeline routes across Scotland.”
The difficulties islanders are experiencing when trying to book any travel at short notice on the NorthLink ferries during the summer is well documented and a regular cause of complaints to the ferry operator and in the local media.
Goodlad said she had listened to Shetlanders and now wants the SNP listening to her.
“My absolute focus now is that I get that motion passed and then I look forward to working with NorthLink and Transport Scotland to firm up the details and to get it implemented,” she said.
“I am having conversations and collaborations with the government already, and I am creating momentum and good moves.”
First minister John Swinney said on a visit to Shetland last month that there was “some pilot work being undertaken” about the cabin quota proposal, calling it a “very good idea”.
“Clearly island communities depend phenomenally on the lifeline services that exist, and I think it’s only fair we consider how we make that as effective as service as possible,” he added.
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