Board welcomespublication of ferry review

The independent CalMac Community Board very much welcomes the publication of a report by the Scottish Parliament’s Rural Economy and Connectivity Committee into the construction and procurement of ferry vessels in Scotland.
MV Glen Sannox in dry dockMV Glen Sannox in dry dock
MV Glen Sannox in dry dock

The Board had the opportunity on two occasions to give evidence to the Committee’s inquiry and were pleased their submissions are accurately reflected in the report particularly around community and stakeholder engagement in all parts of the process.

A spokesman said: “We are pleased the report highlights not only the loss of four years in time but also the loss of £100m that could have done so much more to modernise the network, and recognises the real effects on our economies, communities and individuals. This is particularly relevant to tackling depopulation, access to lifeline services and people’s life choices particularly the young.

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“We must move forward from the recommendations of the report and put ferry users and communities at the heart of strategic planning and investment decision making.

“The report refers to the tripartite approach to investment decisions we would contend that in future one essential part of that is community input in a formal and recognised way. We note that Transport Scotland have previously advised of a review of stakeholder engagement which we fully support and are keen to be part of.

We very much welcome the commitment in the Programme for Government for significant new investment in our ferry networks. Through our regular contact with CMAL they have highlighted that there is a minimum of 19 CalMac vessels in need of replacement in the next ten years. After the two vessels at Port Glasgow a new vessel for Islay is being planned.

“The report recognises the crucial importance of ferry services to the islands.

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“We as a board will continue to engage and do our part to reinforce the views and aspirations of island communities. We would urge the Scottish Government and its agencies to take this opportunity to put these views and aspirations at the heart of its decision making and deliver a fit for purpose ferry network.