OBAN – 17Th FEBRUARY 2009
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Scottish Ferries Review Consultation Document Appendices 10 June 2010 Contents Appendix 3: List of Reports ..................................................................................... 1 Appendix 4: Relevant TICCC recommendations to be addressed .......................... 2 Appendix 5: High Level Scope ................................................................................ 5 Appendix 6: Members of the Project Groups......................................................... 13 Appendix 7: Report on First Round of Consultation Events .................................. 16 OBAN – 17th FEBRUARY 2009 ............................................................................ 16 GREENOCK – 23rd FEBRUARY 2009.................................................................. 21 LERWICK 26th FEBRUARY 2009......................................................................... 30 BARRA – 9th MARCH 2009 .................................................................................. 38 BENBECULA – 10th MARCH 2009....................................................................... 44 STORNOWAY – 11th MARCH 2009 ..................................................................... 51 TARBERT – 12th MARCH 2009............................................................................ 64 KIRKWALL 18th March 2009................................................................................ 66 INVERARAY 25th March 2009 .............................................................................. 72 ISLAY 31st MARCH 2009...................................................................................... 79 TIREE – 1ST APRIL 2009...................................................................................... 84 THURSO – 19th MAY 2009................................................................................... 86 MALLAIG – 11th JUNE 2009................................................................................. 87 KNOYDART – 6TH OCTOBER 2009..................................................................... 90 WYRE – 24th NOVEMBER 2009 .......................................................................... 92 GRAEMSAY – 25th NOVEMBER 2009 ................................................................. 93 Appendix 8: Data Collection.................................................................................. 96 Appendix 9: The Historical context...................................................................... 100 Appendix 10: Defining Routes and Services ......................................................... 105 Appendix 3: List of Reports Scottish Government Ferry Review, Work Package 6, Vessels, CMAL, 4/3/2010 Scottish Government Ferries Review, Accessibility Work Package, CMAL, 10/02/2010 Ferry Review, Port Infrastructure, CMAL, 22/01/2010 Scottish Ferries Review, Review of Scottish Ports Hosting Lifeline Ferry Services, CMAL, 23/12/2009 Scottish Ferries Review, Economic Work Package, Reference Economic Consultants, February 2010 Scottish Government Ferries Review, Cost and Affordability, MVA, March 2010 Scottish Government Ferries Review, Fares, MVA, March 2010 Scottish Government Ferries Review, Funding, MVA, March Scottish Government Ferries Review, Report on Routes, Services and Integration, MVA, March 2010 Scottish Government Ferries Review, Freight, Pantrak, 29/01/2010 Scottish Ferries Review, Direct Employment and Income Impacts of Ferry Services, Reference Economic Consultants, March 2010 Scottish Ferries Review, Report of Consultations with Coach and Tour Operators, Reference Economic Consultants, May 2010 Scottish Ferries Review, Direct Employment and Income Impacts of Ferry Services, Reference Economic Consultants, May 2010 Scottish Ferries Review: Consultation, Strategic Environmental Assessment: Environmental Report, Scottish Government, June 2010 1 Appendix 4: Relevant TICCC recommendations The following is quoted from the Transport, Infrastructure and Climate Change Committee’s (TICCC) report on ferry services in Scotland. Reference is made to an ongoing EC Investigation which is now concluded. Recommendation Four: All of the proposals identified for improving ferry services in the long term, noted by the Committee in this report, should be fully assessed by the Scottish Government as part of the review. These proposals have been discussed earlier in this report and include— • The potential for introducing new vessels, including proposals such as— o faster and more fuel-efficient vessels o the use of catamarans o replacing large single ferries with two or more smaller ferries o leasing vessels rather than constructing them o streamlining the process for constructing new vessels • The potential for new thinking on timetable changes, such as extending sailing to the early morning and later evening, more frequent sailings and improved sailing times in winter • The scope for new routes, including proposals such as— o whether new ferry routes should be introduced o reconfiguring the ferry network in the Clyde and Hebrides in a more effective way • The scope for alternatives to existing ferry routes such as— o the ‘island bridge’ concept o fixed links • The need to invest in port infrastructure to bring it up to the required standard • The potential for new arrangements for crewing ferries in order to deliver better and more flexible ferry services • The scope for building more flexibility into future contracts between the Scottish Government and ferry operators, to ensure that services are responsive to the needs of users. Recommendation Five: All of the suggestions made above must be assessed fully by the Scottish Government, conclusions reached and then published regarding their viability. The Scottish Government should clearly state whether it intends to take them forward and, if not, why not. These proposals should be considered together, not on a piecemeal basis. This is because so many of the issues are 2 interlinked. It is vital that a coherent overall strategy for ferry services is developed. Recommendation Six: The review should outline how the Scottish Government proposes to address the constraints which have, in the past, prevented the delivery of improved ferry services. As a starting point, the Committee recommends the following action— Clearer leadership in developing ferry policy, articulated and driven by one body, the Scottish Government A more streamlined process which makes it easier for ferry operators to make changes to services within their contracts, if they are designed to promote improved services and facilitate innovation. The new arrangements should contain appropriate safeguards for communities’ lifeline services. Recommendation Seven: One of the key features of the review should be an exercise to consider the transfer to a new maritime division of Transport Scotland, the responsibility for the future strategic direction of ferry services, the development of gaps in the market, and the strategic management of CalMac Ferries, NorthLink Ferries and CMAL. Note: In his response to the TICCC, the Minister for Transport, Infrastructure and Climate Change did not agree to take this recommendation forward Recommendation Eight: A decision on the way forward for ferry services in Scotland should be clearly articulated in a document published following the completion of the review. This document should be the subject of a parliamentary debate and scrutiny by this Committee. The document should contain full information on how any proposals will be funded, the timescale for implementing change and the body or bodies to be charged with delivering change. Finally, the document should state how its proposals will take account of any decision reached by the European Union following its investigation into subsidies to CalMac Ferries and NorthLink Ferries. Future arrangements for complying with EU law 285. The Committee has also heard suggestions that the EU may favour a solution whereby an independent ferries regulator is appointed, and the Committee considers that this proposal may have some merit. The Committee would also expect this issue to be considered as part of the Scottish Government’s ferries review. Note: In his response to the TICCC, the Minister for Transport, Infrastructure and Climate Change said he would consider this following the Scottish Ferries Review. 3 288. In relation to competition more generally, the Committee believes that it is right and proper that, whenever possible, the private sector should be given fair opportunity to provide ferry services, whether through participation in tender exercises or through identifying commercial opportunities independently. It also considers it important that the Scottish Government’s review of ferries should properly recognise and take into account the current and future role of the private sector. The Committee therefore recommends that the review includes a full and genuine assessment of the opportunities that may exist across the ferry network for routes to be operated on a commercially viable basis. Challenges facing smaller operators 293. The Committee recommends that the Scottish Government responds to the concerns expressed by the Isle of Skye Community Interest Company regarding the burden placed on it by these regulations to see whether a solution can be reached. The Committee further recommends that the Scottish Government ensures that its forthcoming ferries review includes an examination of the particular challenges faced by small ferry operators with a view to developing solutions