Cheaper travel for ferry users – BUT KEY LOCAL ROUTES LEFT OUT
The Scottish Government announced on Tuesday that ferry fares on all Western Isles to mainland routes will be slashed by up to half, under a new pilot scheme.
The SNP administration is looking to overhaul the current ferry fares system and replace it with a ‘Road Equivalent Tariff’ (RET) scheme which would result in cheaper travel for islanders, tourists and businesses. RET involves setting ferry fares on the basis of the cost of travelling an equivalent distance by road.
Following an independent research study carried out by transport and economics experts, the government has confirmed that a pilot scheme will commence later this year, running until 2011 and resulting in fare reductions of up to 50 per cent.
However, the pilot will only apply to the Western Isles services - leaving out other key Scottish routes including some local Argyll and Clyde peninsular and island ferry lifelines.
Not being selected for such a test project is of course a blow to an area like Cowal which is heavily dependent on ferry services. At face value, the government’s official announcement does not appear to offer firm hope that the scheme might eventually apply to the local area if the pilot is successful and becomes a permanent policy. The statement makes reference only to island routes and does not mention peninsular or mainland services - like the Gourock-Dunoon route.
Transport Minister Stewart Stevenson’s comments include: “While initially focusing a pilot on the Western Isles, we want this test case to pave the way for cheaper fares for all our island communities.
“RET is a vision for the future of ferry fares, and this pilot could open the door to a fairer, cheaper system for every ferry user in Scotland. I would urge local authorities and the economic agencies to grasp this opportunity and build on the pilot for the benefit of the island economies.
“The Scottish Government wants to do all it can to boost island economies and deliver real improvements to our ferry services. I am sure this pilot will be a great success.”
The government’s official statement continues: “High ferry fares have been seen by many as a barrier to economic growth on the islands. Lowering the fares to a level analogous to mainland traffic costs could act as a boost to island economies by reducing freight costs to local businesses, lowering the cost of living for island residents and making the islands more attractive to tourists.”
Peter Timms, CalMac chairman, welcomed the initiative and added: “The scheme as proposed brings significant challenges for CalMac, which I am certain we will overcome, however we will need some months to prepare the groundwork prior to its introduction. We are now clear what needs to be done and the process of changing our systems has already begun.”
The duration of the pilot - 30 months - is said to allow it to be fully assessed on its effectiveness, and to identify both positive and any possible negative implications of a RET scheme.
The evaluation process will include the gathering of traffic statistics and information from, for example, ferry users and local employers (including the freight and tourist sectors) designed to allow the impact of the pilot (especially in economic and social terms) to be assessed.
In addition to assessing the impact of the pilot, the evaluation will attempt to quantify both the costs and benefits which would arise should RET be applied on a permanent basis and rolled out to other ferry routes in the Clyde and Hebrides and Northern Isles networks, as well as the likely longer-term impacts of such a roll-out.
The government’s impending announcement caused some concern at Argyll and Bute Council’s Executive meeting last week, with many councillors expressing their dismay at Argyll and its surrounding islands “missing out” on the opportunities afforded by the pilot scheme.
Spokesperson for Transport, Cllr Duncan McIntyre said it was a “huge disadvantage” for Argyll, while Islands spokesperson Cllr Len Scoullar said: “This is a total disaster - the Western Isles will become much more economically viable while our islands are left behind.”
Depute Provost Isobel Strong emphasised: “Members should rest assured that we will do what we can to put as much pressure on the government as possible,” and council leader Dick Walsh confirmed that he would be meeting with CalMac representatives imminently and that the council would make representation on the issue.
When subsequently asked to confirm whether the Gourock-Dunoon service would be considered as part of any permanent roll-out of a RET scheme, a spokesperson for the Scottish Government’s Department of Transport said: “There is no innuendo in Mr Stevenson’s comments relating to islands - the Gourock-Dunoon ferry service, along with other Clyde and Hebrides routes, will be considered as part of the planned evaluation process detailed in the government announcement.”
The planned start date for the Western Isles pilot is October 19, ending in spring 2011.
However, despite being billed as a cheaper fares initiative, Gordon Ross of Western Ferries has pointed out that if the RET scheme was applied to his company’s Hunter’s Quay-Gourock route, costs to travellers may in fact increase.
“Our current fares are cheaper than RET as, using the calculations given in the government statement, they would rise,” he said. “A passenger journey costs £3.70 but would increase to £4.44 when recalculated. The cost of a car driver return fare would jump to £17.08, compared with the present rate of £13.40.”
Using a passenger journey as an example: the RET guidelines give a core rate of £2 plus £0.10 per nautical mile on the route.
Western Ferries’ Hunter’s Quay-McInroy’s Point route is 2.2 nautical miles - therefore, 2.2 x £0.10 = £0.22 plus core rate £2 = £2.22. Return journey under RET would cost £4.44 - a 20 per cent increase on the current fare of £3.70.
Prices relate to multi-journey tickets purchased in advance.


Kirn plans hampered by Post Office “intransigence”
EnviroKirn is beleaguered but not yet beaten as it continues in its attempts to run a community post office venture in Kirn, following the announcement that Kirn Post Office will close in April.
Speaking to the Observer earlier this week, Brian Chennell of EnviroKirn said: “We are totally frustrated at the current situation - it seems to have reached an impasse.”
EnviroKirn has been active on the issue since it first became known that Kirn was among the post office branches being considered for closure. At its most recent meeting with the company, earlier this month, Post Office Ltd produced a non-disclosure agreement for the community group to sign, before any detailed figures relating to the Kirn business would be released.
EnviroKirn sought legal advice in relation to the confidentiality document, and were advised not to sign, as doing so could potentially be prohibitive and restrictive given the fact that its proposals are very much community-based.
It is also understood that Post Office Ltd would require a management fee of £18,000 per year to be paid, in addition to a £10,000 start-up fee. A minimum stock uptake to the tune of £20,000 would also be mandatory.
Mr Chennell said: “It seems that Post Office Ltd is making it completely impossible for a local group to try and run a community venture.
“Our legal advisor said that the non-disclosure agreement given to us was great for a private company, but totally unsuitable for a community organisation.
“We need to have flexibility and to have business figures available to allow us to produce a business case, and discuss the plans with potential funders, but signing this agreement would appear to stop us from doing this. It would even stop us relaying information to the local community.”
Mr Chennell advised that EnviroKirn had written to Post Office Ltd advising that it was unable to sign the agreement and explaining why. He stated: “The response said that it was assumed we did not want to progress any further, and that no further figures would be released to us.
“I emailed again saying that this was not the case - that we simply wanted to be able to prepare a business case - and also asked about holding further meetings, but have had no response.”
He continued: “Because of the lack of information supplied from Post Office Ltd, we cannot even progress to the stage of holding a public meeting to update the community.
“Post Office Ltd seems to be unwilling to move - its intransigence is not a true reflection of what the government expects of it in relation to assisting communities.”
Post Office Ltd was asked to confirm details of the start-up costs and annual fees for a community venture, and comments on the confidentiality agreement aspect were also sought.
A statement issued in reponse said: “The non-disclosure agreement does not stop the group speaking in confidence about gaining support for their proposal.
“The agreement clearly states that it permits access of the confidential information to those directors, agents and employees or those involved in the group who strictly need the information.
“It also states that before any information is shared they can seek extra approval from Post Office Ltd before information is disclosed, and if it needs to be shared with another party, such as a council, the group gains assurances from that group on confidentiality.
It concluded: “Other parties interested in local funding have signed this agreement and have had no issues with it. Post Office Ltd very much wants to continue to talk to EnviroKirn about their proposal.”
However, despite experiencing setbacks, EnviroKirn has not yet given up the fight. “We’re not sitting back and doing nothing - we are trying various things,” said Mr Chennell.
The group has been contacted by community representatives from Essex, who are in the early stages of a similar project. Essex Council is in discussion with Post Office Ltd, and EnviroKirn has passed details to Argyll and Bute Council to see if it can assist.
Council leader Dick Walsh confirmed that he is currently chasing up information on the proposals being discussed in Essex, saying: “We are more than happy to assist communities wherever we can on such issues.”


Coal Pier car park mystery
Residents of Dunoon and district may have noticed that, despite a barrier having been erected, a ‘Closed’ sign remains in place in front of a fence prohibiting vehicle entry to the Coal Pier car park.
The pier was closed to traffic in September last year following the tragic death of 75-year-old Duncan McGillivray, after his car plunged on to the shore from the Coal Pier Car Park.
Earlier this month the Observer asked Argyll and Bute Council for an update on the situation and a spokesperson gave the following statement: “The Coal Pier is closed. Scottish Water are carrying out some works. Once they have finished this there is some work on a short section of barrier that we need to complete. The adjacent car park remains open.”
At that time we contacted Scottish Water which confirmed that it was not doing any work at the pier, or in the vicinity.
On February 5, the council then issued another statement: “Regarding the Coal Pier, Scottish Water has an access to the Coal Pier. They have now finished their work and we can continue with our improvements.”
Despite several requests to the council for clarification on what improvements have been made by both Scottish Water and the council, what improvements have still to be done, when the car park will be open and whether or not the council is admitting any liability by making these improvements, at the time of going to press we had not received any response.


Another Cowal Post office closes
The sub post office branch at St Catherines closed last week after the level of business over the counter fell to such a level that it was impossible to continue.
The closure comes hot on the heels of the announcement in January that seven Argyll post office branches are to close as part of Post Office Ltd’s UK-wide plans to close down 2,500 post offices.
Alison Clark, of St Catherines post office and shop said: “It just wasn’t worth it to carry on. Some days we would just see a handful of people all day, which is just not sustainable.
“The shop is still open, but the future of this side of the business is also in the balance.”
This week a Post Office sign on the shop door informed would-be customers that the branch was closed, and that the nearest alternative was in the village of Strachur, five miles away.
One local resident said: “Strachur is not that far away if you have got a car and are young and fit. Many people in the St Catherines area are elderly, and if the shop goes as well, some people will find it very difficult.”
The shop and post office have suffered a loss in trade in recent years with the closure of the adjacent St Catherines Hotel. Alison Clark added: “The hotel closing really hit us hard. It’s a pity that it has stayed closed for so long.”
A spokesperson for Post Office Ltd said: “I can confirm that St Catherines sub post office has closed indefinitely.”