Ferry Consultation
Argyll and Bute Council · 12 February 2025
Back to Oban Lorn & the Isles Area Community Planning Group — 12 February 2025 and its agenda
Text extracted from the council's PDF. Layout and reading order may differ from the original.
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Classification: OFFICIAL Argyll and Bute Community Planning Partnership Oban, Lorn and the Isles Area Community Planning Group 12 February 2025 Mainland Ferries Report Summary The report is for noting and provides an update following presentation of the same report at the Environment, Development and Infrastructure meeting on the 19th December 2024 1. Purpose 1.1 The report introduces members to the ‘Argyll & Bute Council Mainland Ferries Study – Comparative Analysis of Options for Council-run ferries’ carried out by Caledonian Economics (Mainland Ferries Study) at Appendix 1. 1.2 The anticipated Islands Connectivity Plan and Community Needs Assessments being produced by Transport Scotland, excludes local authority run ferries from proposals. This study seeks to address the gap left by this exclusion and looks at options for the future of lifeline services to Easdale and Luing 2. Recommendations 2.1 Area CPG members are requested to: • Note the content of this report. • Agree to receive further updates on progress of the next stage of the study. 3. Detail 3.1 On 13 October 2022 Policy and Resources Committee agreed to allocate £100k of Crown Estates Funds to a feasibility study and specification work for pier infrastructure at Ellenabeich and Easdale which would support the ongoing provision of the council ferry service. 3.2 A sensible starting position for the feasibility study was a baseline study into the current services being provided. Economies of scale enabled the inclusion of the Luing service at the same time,
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Classification: OFFICIAL particularly as the Luing Community Council had separately commenced a ‘Participation Request’ to investigate improvements to the Cuan service. 3.3 Caledonian Economics were engaged to carry out this work at a cost of £10k leaving £90k for the remaining detailed study. 3.4 The study at Appendix 1 therefore concentrates on the current provision of lifeline services covering the islands of Luing and Easdale. Both services use aging vessels and infrastructure, which do not reach modern standards and expectations, to support a variety of users within the communities 3.5 The study was presented to members of the Environment, Development and Infrastructure Committee on the 19th December 2024 and recommended Members: • Thank the Easdale and Luing community council representatives and residents for the high level of engagement and return regarding the study. • Discuss the contents and implications of the Mainland Ferries Study (Appendix 1). • Approve the continuation of the feasibility study to progress a business case for the provision of infrastructure options to Easdale, including fixed links. • Approve the inclusion of options to Luing in the feasibility study to continue to take advantage of economy of scale, and • acknowledged the ongoing need to continue to engage with residents and representatives of the communities on the Isle of Luing, Isle of Seil, and Easdale, in relation to council run ferry services and infrastructure. 3.6 This decision was approved by members and is detailed in the printed minutes at Appendix 2 4. Conclusion 4.1 The study provides an overview of past and current service levels and makes recommendations for the future infrastructure needs in both locations. It Page 56 balances financial estimates with public opinion to suggest options that are available and viable for council purposes.. 4.2 Officers will now further investigate the recommended options including potential fixed links to replace both ferry crossings by preparing a business case for each location.
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Classification: OFFICIAL 5. SOA Outcomes 5.1 Policy – None. 5.2 Financial – None. 5.3 Legal – None. 5.4 HR – None. 5.5 Fairer Scotland Duty: 5.5.1 Equalities - protected characteristics - Vessel and Infrastructure accessibility (Equalities Act). 5.5.2 Socio-economic Duty - Lifeline ferries with no other current means to travel to / from islands. 5.5.3 Islands - Education, transport, health, business. 5.6 Climate Change – Effect of increasing water levels and extreme weather events on the infrastructure and provision of service. 5.7 Risk - Vessel age and current infrastructure conditions. 5.8 Customer Service - Complaints about current service levels will increase as vessels age. 5.9 The Rights of the Child (UNCRC) - Education and social access to mainland facilities and services. For further information please contact: Kelly McKellar, Project Manager – Piers and Harbours, Argyll and Bute Council Tel 01546 604 214 Appendix 1 – Mainland Ferries Report Appendix 2 – EDI Committee – Printed Minutes 191224