Council ‘wants £50m from Westminster’ for new ferry
Highland Council this week backed a bid for up to £50 million of UK Government funding towards the cost of a new electric ferry across Loch Linnhe, writes Sandy Neil.
Last year, Highland Council agreed to a business case for two new electric ferries for the Corran Narrows. Funding had to be identified. The bid to the UK Government’s Levelling Up Fund, proposed by the ruling administration of SNP and Highland Independent councillors and agreed by the full council on Thursday May 11, is for a single electric ferry, relying on the 23-year-old MV Corran as a back-up, until a second ferry can be delivered.
In the chamber, members were updated on progress on delivering the Corran Ferry replacement project.
The report said: “The MV Corran and her replacement the MV Maid of Glencoul are still out of service waiting for parts to be fitted and repairs completed. The repairs to MV Corran are expected to be completed by the start of June.
“Having both vessels out of action has highlighted the importance to purchase new reliable vessels to provide a resilient service.
“To deliver two new ro-ro electric ferries capable of transporting 32 cars, creating larger marshalling areas, a new berthing structure and slipways, EV charging points, expanded car parking, new toilet facilities, a renovated ferry office and storage building is expected to need capital investment of £70.5 million.
“The approved Corran Ferry Outline Business Case Final Report for investment in a new electric ferry and shoreside infrastructure improvements has been agreed by the council’s economy and infrastructure committee, and this work is set to form the basis of a Levelling Up Fund transport bid for 2023.
“The bid will focus on the delivery of one new electric ferry and associated infrastructure totalling £52 million. The use of the existing ferries would provide service resilience in the meantime, until such time that the council can undertake to deliver a second electric ferry.”
An amendment, moved by Conservative councillors, called on the council to also investigate a fixed link for the Corran Narrows.
Members noted the Scottish Government’s unwillingness to consider funding a fixed link over the Corran Narrows within the Strategic Transport Review.
Conservative councillor Ruraidh Stewart (Eilean a’ Cheò) said: “The discussion today is about a bid to the UK Government Levelling Up Fund, not the Scottish Government’s unwillingness to fund a fixed link. “The lack of funding from Transport Scotland should not preclude us from submitting a bid for a fixed link to the UK Government.”
Conservative group members called for an options appraisal as a critical step in making informed decision on what option to progress with, but the amendment was defeated 58 votes to 10.
Speaking after the meeting, Councillor Stewart added: “This is a vital opportunity that the council has missed to allow members to evaluate a range of options, and solutions to the crisis at the Corran Narrows.”
Chairperson of the economy and infrastructure committee, SNP councillor Ken Gowans (Inverness South) said: “I’m pleased that members have agreed we can press ahead with preparing an application to the Levelling Up Fund and in the meantime, we will continue to work closely with the local communities. The current contingency measures will remain in place until the ferry is back in operation.”
A further report will be brought to the council providing further details of the process for round three of the Levelling Up Fund, with an appraisal of the other constituency bids for agreement.