CORRAN NARROWS SOCIO-ECONOMIC STUDY
ageing MV Maid of Glencoul, but also by vehicle capacity issues which can lead to traffic queuing issues on either side of the Corran Narrows. There exists, therefore, an urgent requirement in the short/ medium-term to make the case for investment in the replacement of the vessels and infrastructure to ensure the sustainability of the service, until such time as a longer-term fixed link solution can potentially be realised. support you could provide in further advertising or prompting residents of your community council area to complete a form.
Purpose of this Study
Stantec has been commissioned by The Highland Council (THC) and the Highlands and Islands Transport Partnership (HITRANS) to
analyse the economic, social and community benefits provided by the Corran Ferry service. The purpose of this research is to feed into the business case being developed by THC for new vessels and terminal infrastructure.
Further to this, we would be grateful if your community council could formally respond to this study, providing a collective community view on the questions presented in the survey.
We would, therefore, like to offer you a four-week period to consider the questions in this form (we can be flexible and work around community council meeting dates). Ahead of submitting your response, we would be happy to discuss any questions, concerns or points of interest with you over the phone or using MS Teams / Skype / Zoom etc.
How are we approaching the Study?
The study is intended to highlight the importance of the ferry to the communities of Fort William, Ardgour, Sunart, Ardnamurchan, Moidart, Morar, Morvern, the Isle of Mull and beyond, in part through testing the implications of hypothetical scenario where the service discontinued.
Our approach to the study is two pronged: • Firstly, we are developing baseline analysing key demographic, economic and transport data, to develop the socio-economic profiles of the communities that the Corran Ferry serves.
It is important to note that the purpose of this exercise is to understand how the ferry is used and the benefits which it offers. As such, there is less of a focus on the operational details of the service, such as individual fares, operating hours etc and a much larger focus on the use of the ferry service, including journey purpose and frequency. More detailed consultation on the operational aspects of the ferry service will be carried out as part of the detailed design stage of the Ferry Service Outline Business Case, and as such does not form part of the scope of this study.
We will collate, analyse and evidence the data to further support the internal THC and external case for investment, ensuring a high
quality and financially sustainable service across the Narrows is
maintained.
• Secondly, and most importantly, we are engaging with stakeholders and communities to understand their use of the ferry service and the benefits which this brings. We have separated the engagement process into two elements: (i) a Resident and Visitor Survey; and (ii) a Key Stakeholder Survey.
Why are we focussing on the Ferry Service?
The Resident and Visitor Survey is comprised of three sections, each with a focus of gathering which will assist in demonstrating how the ferry supports the functioning of the communities which it serves.
In 2019, a High-level Outline Feasibility Study of a Fixed Link across
the Corran Narrows was completed and submitted to Transport Scotland for further consideration within the Strategic Transport Projects Review 2 (STPR2) process. This process is ongoing but, even if a fixed link is prioritised through this process, its realisation ‘on the ground’ remains a long-term proposition.
In receiving this note, you have been identified as a key stakeholder, and as such are in receipt of a link below to the ‘Key Stakeholder Survey’.
The Survey
In the short/medium-term, however, there is an urgent need to invest in the ferry service to protect and develop the ‘lifeline’ link across the Narrows. This is driven in part by the need to replace the
The resident survey has been designed to capture the views of as many individuals as possible, and we would appreciate any