Highland Council presses ahead with Corran Ferry foot passenger fares
But the move was delayed after a group of councillors pushed for a full debate, as local opposition grew.
The plan, which would have raised around £20,000 a year, has now been approved despite fears it could damage the area's 'fragile' economy.
The ferry service carries over 10,000 foot passengers per year. Located between the A82 and A861, it provides a 'lifeline' connection linking the communities of Fort William, Ardgour, Sunart, Ardnamurchan, Moidart, Morar, Morvern and the Isle of Mull.
The alternative journey by road around Loch Linnhe takes about two hours, with the ferry providing regular runs seven days a week, with each journey taking five minutes.
The ferry is seen as a vital link for some of Scotland's most rural communities (Image: Caroline Wilson) There had been calls for the council to 'pause and review' the scheme until an economic impact investigation could be carried out by October – and allow foot passengers to travel for free until then.
Councillors Andrew Baxter and Kate Willis had both called for a pause, brining the issue to a vote before the whole council
However, after a vote on Thursday councillors decided to press ahead with the plan to bring in the charges.
The debate in Inverness heard emotive speeches from many councillors, with Ardnamurchan representative Sarah Fannet warning that people paying £4 each way to cross the Corran Narrows would lead to a cost of '£80 a month to walk to work'.
READ MORE: First foot passenger fare approved for 'lifeline' ferry route
Fares to increase on one of Scotland's most scenic ferry routes
A petition against the charge had attracted almost 800 signatures, with a local business warns of job losses if the "ferry tax" had gone ahead.
Two years ago the ageing MV Corran and back-up MV Maid of Glencoul ferries both broke down, stopping vehicle crossings for 145 days.
According to reports, the loss of ferry crossings lead to firms struggling, with the economic loss counted in millions.
Ardnamurchan (Image: NQ) Luke Alexander, who owns and runs The Inn at Ardgour where the Corran Ferry lands, said the foot fare would be a "terrible idea".
He told the West Coast Today website: "We were never consulted about this in any way. Economically for Ardgour, it has the potential to be devastating.
"To add £4 per person to the cost of their visit is prohibitive. It will be like a tax on their visit.
"We will lose a minimum of £40,000 in sales, with a worst case scenario of losses exceeding £80,000."
Highland Council said the new charge will come into effect this summer and will include foot passengers and pedal cyclists.
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BBC News
2 days ago
- BBC News
First Corran Ferry foot passenger fare to be introduced
The introduction of the first foot passenger fare on the Corran Ferry is to go ahead after a group of councillors delayed its five-minute, Highland Council-run crossing links the wider Lochaber area with communities in the Ardnamurchan local authority's economy and infrastructure committee agreed to a £2 charge last month, but its implementation was paused to allow for a further debate on the attending a special meeting of the full council voted 34 to 27 in favour of the fee. The group of councillors had raised concerns about an impact on residents and Baxter, Liberal Democrat councillor for Fort William and Ardnamurchan, led calls for a debate at a meeting of the full fare would only apply to passengers aged 23 to 60 years would include cyclists, although there would be no extra charge for the alternative journey by road around Loch Linnhe takes about two Council describes the Corran Ferry as Europe's busiest single-vessel car carries about 10,000 foot passengers, 270,000 cars and 11,000 commercial vehicles a Council said a £2 charge could generate £20,516 a agreed to a 10% increase on vehicle fares in March, but left a decision on foot passengers to the economy and infrastructure committee.
The Herald Scotland
2 days ago
- The Herald Scotland
Highland Council presses ahead with Corran Ferry foot passenger fares
But the move was delayed after a group of councillors pushed for a full debate, as local opposition grew. The plan, which would have raised around £20,000 a year, has now been approved despite fears it could damage the area's 'fragile' economy. The ferry service carries over 10,000 foot passengers per year. Located between the A82 and A861, it provides a 'lifeline' connection linking the communities of Fort William, Ardgour, Sunart, Ardnamurchan, Moidart, Morar, Morvern and the Isle of Mull. The alternative journey by road around Loch Linnhe takes about two hours, with the ferry providing regular runs seven days a week, with each journey taking five minutes. The ferry is seen as a vital link for some of Scotland's most rural communities (Image: Caroline Wilson) There had been calls for the council to 'pause and review' the scheme until an economic impact investigation could be carried out by October – and allow foot passengers to travel for free until then. Councillors Andrew Baxter and Kate Willis had both called for a pause, brining the issue to a vote before the whole council However, after a vote on Thursday councillors decided to press ahead with the plan to bring in the charges. The debate in Inverness heard emotive speeches from many councillors, with Ardnamurchan representative Sarah Fannet warning that people paying £4 each way to cross the Corran Narrows would lead to a cost of '£80 a month to walk to work'. READ MORE: First foot passenger fare approved for 'lifeline' ferry route Fares to increase on one of Scotland's most scenic ferry routes A petition against the charge had attracted almost 800 signatures, with a local business warns of job losses if the "ferry tax" had gone ahead. Two years ago the ageing MV Corran and back-up MV Maid of Glencoul ferries both broke down, stopping vehicle crossings for 145 days. According to reports, the loss of ferry crossings lead to firms struggling, with the economic loss counted in millions. Ardnamurchan (Image: NQ) Luke Alexander, who owns and runs The Inn at Ardgour where the Corran Ferry lands, said the foot fare would be a "terrible idea". He told the West Coast Today website: "We were never consulted about this in any way. Economically for Ardgour, it has the potential to be devastating. "To add £4 per person to the cost of their visit is prohibitive. It will be like a tax on their visit. "We will lose a minimum of £40,000 in sales, with a worst case scenario of losses exceeding £80,000." Highland Council said the new charge will come into effect this summer and will include foot passengers and pedal cyclists.
The Herald Scotland
06-06-2025
- The Herald Scotland
Procurement process for two new Northlink ferries launched
The 'freight-flex' ferries, also known as Northern Isles Freight Vessels (NIFV), have been being developed by Caledonian Maritime Assets Ltd and naval architects Leadship Design and Consulting, and has been presented to Scottish government ministers and officials. Ms Hyslop confirmed that the design will be the basis of a tendering process, with funding available in the 2025-26 budget. Transport Scotland said that there is a 'potential' contract start on the freighter replacements next year. The freighter-flex vessels will replace the aged Helliar and Hildasay, offering additonal freight capacity, quicker crossings and space for up to 200 passengers on board at peak times. The MS Hildasay (Image: NQ) Ms Hyslop confirmed the launch of the procurement process in response to a parliament question from Highlands and Islands MSP Emma Roddick. She said: 'The Scottish Government is fully committed to investing in all of our lifeline ferry services and so, I am pleased to see this progress in procuring two new freight flex vessels to serve the Northern Isles. 'These new vessels will have increased freight capacity, higher operating speeds, and additional capacity for passengers in peak season. This will enhance the efficiency and reliability of ferry services to best meet the needs of the businesses and communities in the Northern Isles for years to come. 'The start of this procurement is an important milestone in our plans to improve ferry services and I look forward to following the progress of this project over the coming months.' READ MORE: Ferry fare price hike was eight percent more than requested by operators Visitors to Shetland 'twice as likely to be influenced by film, TV or literature' CMAL chief executive Kevin Hobbs said the announcement marked an 'important step forward in strengthening the long-term resilience of the Northern Isles services. 'We look forward to receiving bids that demonstrate innovation, efficiency and the ability to deliver reliable vessels that will support a more adaptable and robust service for years to come,' he added. Fiona Hyslop (Image: NQ) NorthLink managing director Stuart Garrett has thanked all those involved in the project. 'NorthLink Ferries welcomes the additional capacity that the freight flex vessels will provide, enabling us to continue to support the growth of the Northern Isles economies,' he told the Shetland Times. Ms Roddick said: 'It is great news that CMAL is moving to procure two new freight vessels for Orkney and Shetland. 'This will make such a difference to capacity on the route and promote resilience even when there are issues with weather or other disruption.
