Committee Agrees To Levelling Up Funding Bid For New Electric Ferry

12th May 2023

At a meeting of the Highland Council (Thursday 11 May 2023) members have agreed to put forward a bid for up to £50m of UK government funding towards the cost of providing a new electric ferry to operate across the Corran Narrows in Lochaber.

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 MVCorran 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.

A range of alternative options have been explored, including the purchase of second-hand ferries and the rebuilding of a modern version of the existing MV Corran. In respect of the first of these, after searching on the worldwide market, it has not been possible to source any alternative ferries that would meet the operational needs of this particular route. The very specific tidal challenges of the Corran Narrows coupled with the unique shoreside infrastructure mean that compatibility is extremely difficult to achieve.

Members were updated on progress on delivering the Corran Ferry replacement project. To deliver 2 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 £70.5m.

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 £52M. 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.

Chair of the Economy and Infrastructure Committee, Cllr Ken Gowans said: "The loss of service due to the ageing vessels has brought into focus the need to look to the future and have a sustainable solution for the Corran Ferry crossing. 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 to provide support and 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 3 of the Levelling Up Fund, with an appraisal of the other constituency bids for agreement.

 

Related Businesses

 

Related Articles

Today : Local Authority

Highland Council Housing Investment: £84 Million Programme Faces Delays as Building Costs Rise

Highland Council is forecasting expenditure of almost £75 million on its housing capital programme during 2026/27, against an original budget of nearly £84 million, as rising building costs, project delays and the availability of additional government funding influence its investment plans.   A Housing Revenue Account (HRA) capital monitoring report, covering expenditure to 31 August 2026, is being considered by the Housing and Property Committee on 4 November.  

Today : Local Authority

Highland Council's Housing and Property Plans: Progress Being Made, But Costs and Contractor Shortages Remain a Problem

Highland Council is making progress on a range of housing and property projects, but rising construction costs, shortages of contractors and uncertainty over future funding continue to threaten delivery.   A progress report covering the second quarter of 2026/27 is being considered by the Housing and Property Committee on 4 November.  

Today : Local Authority

Almost 2,500 Empty Homes in Highland: Can the Council Turn Empty Properties into Much-Needed Housing?

Highland Council is stepping up its efforts to bring long-term empty properties back into residential use, but early results from its £1 million Empty Homes Challenge Fund suggest that turning the policy into actual homes may prove more difficult than anticipated.   A report going before the Council's Housing and Property Committee on 4 November provides an update on the strategy introduced in November 2025.  

Today : Local Authority

Highland Housing: Homelessness Reaches Record Level Despite Good Council Performance

The number of people presenting as homeless in the Highlands has reached its highest level in three years, highlighting the growing pressure on housing services despite some encouraging performance figures from Highland Council.   A report covering the six months from April to September 2026 is being considered by the Council's Housing and Property Committee on 4 November.  

Yesterday : Local Authority

 
Highland's Growth Ambitions: Billions in Investment Promised, But Can the Numbers Really Add Up?

Highland Council has set out an ambitious vision for the economic future of the Highlands, with the possibility of attracting between £10 billion and £16 billion of public and private investment over the next 25 years.   On paper, it is an impressive prospect.  

Yesterday : Local Authority

Caithness Committee approves six Community Regeneration Fund applications - £237,155

The Caithness Area Committee which met (Monday 2 November 2026) has approved six applications submitted to the Community Regeneration Fund (CRF).   This approval securing significant investment to support local projects that will benefit communities across the north.  

31/10/2026 : Local Authority

Caithness at the Sharp End: Broadband, Buses and Public Services Under Pressure

From the loss of a direct bus link to Inverness to uncertainty over rural broadband, a difficult council budget and the future of community organisations, the past week has provided plenty for Caithness residents to think about.  But there have also been celebrations, local achievements and signs of community spirit.  

31/10/2026 : Local Authority

 
Highland Council Faces a £39.2 Million Budget Gap: Will Council Taxpayers and Services Pay the Price?

Highland Council is facing another difficult financial challenge, with councillors being told that a further £39.2 million in savings must be found over the next three years to balance the authority's finances.   The announcement, made at the full council meeting on 29 October 2026, represents a substantial deterioration in the financial outlook.  

30/10/2026 : Local Authority

 
Highland Council Visitor Levy Consultation In-person Events Announced

Residents, businesses, community groups and visitors are encouraged to continue to take part in a series of public engagement events to learn more about the proposed Highland Visitor Levy and how they can contribute to the statutory public consultation.   In addition to the online webinars held earlier in the process, a programme of in-person events will continue throughout November.  

30/10/2026 : Local Authority

The Highland Council agrees budget engagement programme

Members of the public, community groups, the business sector and young people will be invited to share their views on how The Highland Council balances its budget and plans spend over the next three years.   The Council needs to find £39.2 million of additional savings over the next three years to deliver a balanced financial plan, driven largely by the impact of rising costs and the ongoing impact of wider economic events.