Cheaper travel for ferry users extended

A pilot scheme of cheaper ferry fares for all Western Isles routes to the mainland is to be extended for a further year.

The Road Equivalent Tariff (RET) scheme has reduced ferry fares by up to half for all users and was introduced on routes in October 2008. Earlier this year, emerging evidence reported an increase in travel and local businesses are working with Highlands and Islands Enterprise to maximise the benefits of the scheme, which will now be extended until spring 2012.

Transport Minister Stewart Stevenson said:

“Extending this pilot scheme will bring further opportunities for the island communities and businesses to maximise the benefits of this scheme. The emerging evidence of increased traffic earlier this year is welcome, particularly in this challenging economic climate. We want to do all we can to protect and support our remote and fragile island communities. By continuing this scheme for a further year, we can continue to examine ways of delivering a longer term fairer, cheaper system for every ferry user.”

Margaret McSporran of Highlands and Islands Enterprise said:

"The Scottish Government’s decision to extend the Road Equivalent Tariff pilot is welcome news for businesses and communities in the Outer Hebrides, Coll and Tiree.

"This will allow the pilot to continue to operate while the Government carries out a detailed assessment of its economic impact.

"We look forward to seeing the results of the assessment early next year."

Bill Lewis, chairman of Co Chomunn na Hearadh, which runs Clachan Stores in Leverburgh, said:

"We are certainly seeing more visitors, and particularly camper vans, which has had a significant effect on our sales in our shop. A recent expansion to our shop has allowed us to increase the range of goods and brands to our customers. Last year sales were up 25% since the introduction of RET and this year they are up another 10%. There is no doubt that RET has had a significant impact on visitor numbers to the islands coming from Britain and all over the continent."

Andrew Morrison, manager of the Harris Hotel in Tarbert, said:

"We have experienced another busy summer in Harris. The season began early, with a busy Easter period at the start of April and this trend continued throughout May. June and July figures were both up on last year, and for these two months, room occupancy was at 99%. August seems to be continuing in the same fashion.

“RET undoubtedly continues to benefits these islands and is often remarked upon by guests, both those visiting for the first time and those who paid the previously higher fares before the introduction of the scheme. It is very possible that if RET were not to continue, people would highlight a new higher-cost fare as a reason not to visit the Outer Hebrides, so the continuation of this scheme is vital to the future well-being of these islands."

Gordon Maclennan from Stornoway Plastics in Lewis said:

"The island has been snowed under with visitors. Every ferry sailing is the same - it has been very busy. RET has been a real success story in the islands and the area is booming. We moved into a new premises recently which is eight times bigger than our previous building. Although our business has been quieter in Stornoway, our shop in Back has been snowed under with tourists."

Norman Macleod from Lochmaddy’s Taigh Chearsabhaigh Museum and Arts Centre in North Uist, said:

"Taigh Chearsaibhaigh is positioned next to the ferry terminal which is a bonus and no doubt helps to attract the additional visitors. There was a big jump in numbers of visitors in June. Takings are up at the museum, café and shop. The numbers for July are saturated - we can't get any more people on to the boats. If it wasn't for RET, things would be very different. There are a lot of caravanettes and caravans in the islands. Many other businesses in the Uists are seeing a big jump in their takings. RET has given us a lifeline here in the Uists."

RET involves setting ferry fares on the basis of the cost of travelling an equivalent tariff by road. The relevant routes are Ullapool – Stornoway, Uig to Tarbert (Harris)/Lochmaddy (North Uist) and Oban – Castlebay (Barra), Lochboisdale (South Uist) and Oban to Coll and Tiree.

Stevenson Call For Cross Party Support As New Figures Show Scots Drink 25% More Than Rest Of UK

Banff & Buchan MSP Stewart Stevenson has called on opposition parties to put party politics aside and support the Scottish Government’s Alcohol Bill as new figures from the Scottish Health Survey today show the scale of the problem. The survey found that mean daily alcohol consumption amongst men in Scotland was 6.2 units compared to 4.3 units in England, while mean daily consumption amongst women in Scotland was 3.5 units compared to 2.2 in England.

The recommended daily limits are 3-4 units for men (21 units per week) and 2-3 units for women (14 units per week), but these figures show the average weekly intake in Scotland to be 43 units for men and 24 units for women.

Commenting, Mr Stevenson said:

“The problem revealed by these statistics is deeply alarming, with people in Scotland drinking significantly more than people in other parts of the UK and well above their safe recommended limits. On average men are drinking more than double the recommended limit in a week while women are not far behind.

“Clearly something needs to be done to address this problem and the knock-on damage it does to society. Alcohol related issues in health and policing cost the Scottish economy £3.65 billion every year, but the emotional cost to families whose loved ones suffer ill-health as a result of alcohol is incalculable.

“We need bold action to tackle Scotland’s relationship with alcohol and it is inexcusable for other parties to continue to play partisan politics with the lives of people in Scotland. The range of measures in the Alcohol (Scotland) Bill have won support from the police, health professionals and even some alcohol producers, amongst others and it is time for everyone in the Scottish Parliament to come together and support the Scottish Government’s efforts.

“They have a responsibility to put the needs of people in Scotland ahead of their political manoeuvring. Scotland’s parties are at a crossroads and their failure to back the Scottish Government on this issue would be utterly unacceptable.”

Giving people their say on planning

Updated advice that focuses on ensuring communities can effectively engage in the planning system has been published today by the Scottish Government.

The document encourages engagement with communities from the earliest possible stage to enable views to be reflected in development plans and on individual proposals. Delays for communities and developers alike will then be less likely.

Transport and Infrastructure Minister Stewart Stevenson said:

"We recognise both the important role planning plays in building strong and sustainable economic growth in Scotland and the interest of communities in development plans and proposals.

"We want to ensure that planning authorities and developers are clear on the need to engage with communities when policies are developed, and when planning proposals are being brought forward. We believe increased public engagement can produce more satisfactory outcomes and help avoid delays in the planning system.

"Publication of the document builds on our wider ongoing work with planning authorities, agencies and the private sector to deliver a modern, efficient and fit for purpose planning system.

"Initiatives such as the Scottish Government's National Planning Framework, which identifies the key strategic infrastructure Scotland needs, and the introduction of consolidated, easier-to-understand planning policy, are geared towards simplifying the process.

"With increased collaboration across the public sector, and better public engagement, we can ensure planning makes the fullest possible contribution to economic development, providing developers and communities alike with more certainty.

"And we will shortly be publishing a report on the Charette series held earlier this year. The Charrettes are a truly innovative and exciting approach to empowering communities that the Scottish Government is pioneering on a national scale. They allow people to positively shape the decision-making process in their communities in a dynamic and effective way, improving the quality, attractiveness and success of places across Scotland."

Scottish Government policy on community engagement in the planning system is contained in Scottish Planning Policy (SPP) which was published in February 2010. SPP recognises that effective engagement with the public can lead to better plans, better decisions and more satisfactory outcomes and can help to avoid delays in the planning process. It also improves confidence in the fairness of the planning system.

The Scottish Sustainable Communities Initiative (SSCI) Charrette Series took place throughout March 2010 and involved an innovative and interactive approach to public engagement in order to develop community-informed masterplans. The Charrette series involved three of the exemplar projects selected by the SSCI at Lochgelly in Fife, Ladyfield in Dumfries and Grandhome on the edge of Aberdeen.