3 September, 2007

A HIGHLANDS and Islands MSP has called for a comprehensive review of ferry services in Scotland following a series of visits to the country's island communities.

Labour MSP David Stewart said the Scottish Executive's inquiry into the possibilities of introducing a Road Equivalent Tariff should be complemented by a major inquiry into ferries conducted by the parliament's transport committee.

Mr Stewart, a member of the committee, said the issues surrounding ferry transport was "one of the most important rural transport issues facing the Highlands and Islands and indeed Scotland as a whole".

He said that ferry transport had been the number one issue raised by local authorities, the health boards and island communities during his recent visits to Shetland, the Western Isles and Argyll and Bute.

"The speed, availability and cost of ferries have a major bearing on the viability of many island communities and add greatly to the overall cost of living, the availability of goods, inward investment and tourism.

"At a time when the new administration has set up an inquiry into Road Equivalent Tariff, with a pilot scheme to operate to the Western Isles, it seems a very appropriate time for the committee to look at the whole question of ferries.

"This should include not just RET but the entire question of tendering processes, development of new routes and the costs borne by both pedestrians and vehicle travellers, in going between the mainland and the islands," he said.

He also said that internal island ferry services should be incorporated into the inquiry with a view of possible improvements in the methods of financing and delivering the service.

Mr Stewart added: "I have asked the committee not just to follow the usual procedures for an inquiry but to commit to visiting the islands, particularly Shetland.

"Only by visiting the islands and meeting with those who live and work there, can committee members fully appreciate the significance of ferry links to our island communities."