27th November 2024
The Highland Council welcomes confirmation by the Cabinet Secretary for Finance and Local Government Shona Robison that the Scottish Government will enable The Highland Council to use up to £28m of its funding through the Inverness & Highland City Region Deal to deliver a new electric Corran Ferry.
The vessels used on the route are in need of replacement and this funding announcement, alongside the existing investment commitments.
Improvements to the related shoreside infrastructure will be funded through £20m from the UK Government and £10m from The Highland Council, serves to safeguard the future of the ferry service.
The Council owns, funds and operates the ferry service, which is the busiest single vessel operated route in Scotland, carrying over 270,000 cars each year, delivering 30,000 sailings from early morning to late in the evening, 363 days of the year.
Located approximately seven miles south of Fort William, the service across the Corran Narrows provides an essential connection for the peninsular communities of Ardgour, Sunart, Ardnamurchan, Moidart, Morar, Morvern, the Isle of Mull and beyond.
Finance Secretary Shona Robison said, "This funding will provide businesses and communities in Lochaber and Ardnamurchan with a reliable ferry service to enable them to thrive into the future. The new service will support the area's vibrant visitor economy to drive jobs and economic opportunities across the Corran Narrows.
"The vessel will also be electric, helping us to reduce carbon emissions while improving local air quality as we work towards a lower carbon ferry network."
Leader of the Council, Cllr Raymond Bremner said "The Corran Ferry is the busiest single vessel route in Europe, carrying around 270,000 vehicles per year and a crucial lifeline service, and this funding announcement of up to £28m by the Scottish Government will enable a new much needed replacement ferry to be secured.
"We know that the transport link is crucial to economic stability and growth for both Lochaber and the Ardnamurchan Peninsula, and we have had to work really hard to come up with a sustainable solution to resolve the challenge that our ageing ferries running the route brings. A new replacement ferry together with the recently confirmed £20m UK Government investment in land-side infrastructure will provide a welcome resolve.
"It is hoped that we can implement and deliver the supporting infrastructure and the new ferry as quickly as possible now that the funding streams have been finalised. The Council would like to thank the Corran Ferry stakeholders, community representatives, Officers and Government Members for their collaborative approach in supporting this outcome which has prioritised the need to provide a sustainable and reliable ferry.
"I am confident this funding announcement will be very much welcomed by the communities, businesses and visitors it serves and we look forward to moving forward at pace to deliver the improvements to the route."
Convener of the Council, Cllr Bill Lobban added, "The funding announcement today is very much welcomed. The Corran Ferry service is desperately in need of modernisation to ensure a sustainable service for the years ahead and will provide the improved level of service that the community have, quite rightly, demanded. Additionally, an electric ferry will replace ageing diesel vessels and allow the Council to progress its target to reduce carbon emissions.
Funding to support the new ferry service will be delivered through the £315 million Inverness and Highland City Region Deal. The Deal includes an investment of up to £135 million from the Scottish Government and up to £53 million from the UK Government.
The Inverness and Highland City Region Deal was signed in 2017 and committed £315 million in funding over 10 years:
Scottish Government: Committed £135 million
UK Government: Committed up to £53 million
Highland Council and regional partners: Committed up to £127 million
The deal aimed to:
Boost innovation, internationalization, digital connectivity, and infrastructure
Support key sectors like tourism and life sciences
Become the best digitally connected rural region in Europe
Create new well-paid jobs
Develop clusters of innovative assisted living schemes
Provide bespoke health and care packages for elderly people
Develop properties for veterans
Increase investment in the Northern Innovation Hub
Comment
The original agreement made no mention of funding a ferry from the City deal funds - but money is tight so it may have been this or nothing.