News / Holyrood eyes up control of local ferries
SHETLAND Islands Council has dismissed suggestions that the Scottish government might want to take over the running of inter-island ferry services.
As part of its blueprint for ferry services, published on Wednesday, Transport Scotland has said it would seek to transfer control from local authorities to the Scottish government.
ZetTrans chairman Allan Wishart warned against attempts to implement a ‘one size fits all’ policy across the country, but said for now he preferred to interpret the statement as an invitation for dialogue.
“I don’t see this as a threat at this stage. I think it expresses a willingness to discuss the future of what they call the lifeline services, and many of us call the internal services,” he said.
“If there are prospects of having these services maintained or even improved at less cost to Shetland Islands Council, then that would be very welcome.
“We would be very, very cautious about any proposals of a ‘one size fits all’ solution. We know from our own circumstances here the difference between the north isles and Fair Isle, Foula and Papa Stour. They all have their particular and quite unique facets that need to be taken into consideration.”
Transport minister Keith Brown said the government would “willingly take on more responsibility for lifeline ferry services”.
He said: “We are keen to work with local authorities currently providing lifeline services who would seek to transfer responsibility to Scottish government.
“This could potentially be beneficial in improving both local ferry services and infrastructure, and direct resources more effectively.”
The minister confirmed the government’s commitment towards the current level of service on the Lerwick to Aberdeen lifeline service which was reflected in the ongoing tendering process for the service as of summer 2012.
Mr Brown re-iterated his intention to roll out road equivalent tariff in the northern isles in the longer term.
The 82 page draft ferries plan is open for comment until 30 March 2012.
The document can be found at www.transportscotland.gov.uk/strategy-and-research/publications-and-consultations/draft-ferries-plan-consultation.
A final ferries plan is due to be published in 2012 and will provide strategic guidance for the provision of ferry services in Scotland until 2022.
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