Council eyes £50m bid for oneOT new Corran Ferry as costs rise
The failure of the Corran Ferry has cost Highland Council almost half a million pounds so far, as it eyes up a £50 million bid to the UK Government for one replacement electric ferry instead of two.
Highland Council (HC), in a paper going before the full council today, Thursday May 11, reveals the 22-year-old main ferry MV Corran is undergoing “its longest ever refit” due to “extensive rebuilding of her ramps” and “a technical issue with one of the main Voith cycloidal propulsion units”.
The back-up ferry, the 47-year-old MV Maid of Glencoul, also recently underwent its “longest refit”, taking seven months to renew her steering system and source spare parts, becoming more expensive every year. At the Easter weekend, the Maid’s drive shaft failed and she was towed away to drydock for repairs.
“This unfortunate double failure has led to a suspension of the service across Corran Narrows,” the report said.
HC has published shuttle bus timetables, running Mondays to Fridays from Tuesday May 9, connecting Strontian, Ardgour and Camusnagaul with the replacement passenger ferries across Loch Linnhe, and the Kinlochleven-Fort William buses at Nether Lochaber. Estimated costs for mitigations so far total £487,000, including £150,000 for passing place improvements and signs, £280,000 for replacement ferries for foot passengers and bicycles at the Corran Narrows, and £17,000 for an unsuccessful landing craft trial between Ardgour and Fort William.
“At the time of writing (April 26), it is hoped that at least one of the vessels will be back in operation within 4-6 weeks. The relevant parts are being sourced, assisted by the helpful intervention of Caledonian MacBrayne, which has allowed access to its stock of a replacement part that would otherwise have had a very long lead-in time.”
The paper discussed longterm solutions, including, “a fixed link crossing of the Narrows, as well as a ferry replacement project”.
Last November, the council agreed a business case for investment in two new, larger 32-vehicle electric vessels and shoreside infrastructure. It earmarked £1.6m for design, and estimated a cost of £68.7m, with delivery due in 2026 and 2027. However, it said “funding is for the council to source and this remains a serious challenge”.
This was preferred over a second, cheaper option, of buying one electric ferry and keeping the 22-year-old MV Corran as a relief vessel. An extra saving could be made by extending MV Corran to 40 years.
The council concluded: “Whilst it is accepted MV Corran will need to be retained as the relief vessel when the second vessel is being built, HC does not consider this to be a suitable medium/long-term arrangement.”
But that option is now back on the table. Today’s paper focuses on the costs of “a new ferry (whilst maintaining the MV Corran as back-up) and the infrastructure required”, estimated to be £52m.
If councillors agree, officers will bid for one new ro-ro electric ferry (32 cars), with modernised ferry office and crew accommodation.
The council has explored other options, such as buying second-hand ferries. But, despite a “worldwide search” by Caledonian Maritime Assets Ltd, “it has not been possible to source any alternative ferries. The very specific tidal challenges of the Corran Narrows coupled with the unique shoreside infrastructure mean compatibility is extremely difficult to achieve.”
The council also looked into a fixed link (bridge or tunnel). It said Transport Scotland, “has recently confirmed there is no intention to revisit the decision to exclude this from the STPR2. Progressing with a new ferry does not preclude a fixed link being the longerterm aspiration of the council.”