Latest news with #CorranFerry
BBC News
4 days ago
- BBC News
Lochaber small ferry sites set for upgrades
Plans are being progressed for infrastructure improvements at two ferry sites in the west have been asked to grant full planning permission for two new slipways, parking and a toilet block for the Corran Ferry near Fort five-minute, Highland Council-run crossing links the wider Lochaber area with communities in the Ardnamurchan an environmental impact assessment is being carried out at Kilchoan in Ardnamurchan ahead of upgrades needed for new CalMac ferries. Highland 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 meeting next week have been asked to approve the local authority's planned improvements, which also include new marshalling areas, electric vehicle charging and pedestrian work is needed for new electric ferries proposed for the service. Natural habitats Kilchoan is a small community on the southern shore of environmental impact assessment is looking at the kinds of wildlife and natural habitats that would need to be protected during work to upgrade its ferry improvements form part of Caledonian Maritime Assets Ltd's Scottish government-funded Small Vessel Replacement project aims to replace the smallest ferries in CalMac's with new vessels over the next 10 years.
The Herald Scotland
09-08-2025
- General
- The Herald Scotland
Scottish ferry out of service for a week awaiting repair
The Corran Ferry was back operating a limited service by Friday but the not altogether unfamiliar turn of events was lamented by one Highland councillor as the week wore on. News there would be no service from the Highland Council-funded ferry came on Sunday, and by Tuesday concerns were mounting. The Corran Ferry when operational. (Image: Getty Images) The five-minute journey across the Corran Narrows, between Corran and Ardgour, is considered a 'lifeline'. A diversion takes road users on a 42-mile, one hour and 15 minute detour. Andrew Baxter, Highland Council member for Fort William and Ardnamurchan, said in Tuesday's update: 'As many of us feared, the initial hope that the Corran Ferry might be back in service by Wednesday has now proven to be overly optimistic. 'Highland Council has now confirmed that the replacement screen required to repair the steering fault on MV Corran is still being programmed, and won't be dispatched until Wednesday morning via special delivery. That means installation is now planned for Thursday at the earliest, subject to logistics and access arrangements. 'This is the same hardware fault that was identified earlier—a failure of the onboard steering screen that left the ferry stuck in emergency mode.' He said it highlighted 'a recurring issue with the vessel's ageing systems that urgently needs addressing'. Mr Baxter added: 'Frankly, I'm disappointed but not surprised. We've seen time and again how these situations unfold: optimistic repair timelines, lack of contingency planning, and communities left without a lifeline service. 'Once again, Lochaber residents are bearing the brunt of long-standing failures in ferry infrastructure investment. The lack of a working backup vessel, with the Maid of Glencoul still awaiting parts after its refit, only makes matters worse. 'I'll continue to press for updates and will share any new information as soon as I receive it.' Craig Williams revealed the plight of the ferry as the issue and the disruption to the service unfolded. READ MORE: In November, the Scottish Government said Highland Council could use up to £28 million of its funding through the Inverness and Highland City Region Deal to deliver a new electric ferry. Highland Council said that the funding announcement, alongside the existing investment commitments for improvements to the related shoreside infrastructure, serves to "safeguard the future" of the ferry service. The ferry provides a key connection between the A82 and A861, linking the communities of Fort Williams, Ardgour, Sunart, Ardnamurchan, Moidart, Morar, Morvern and the Isle of Mull. It carries more than 270,000 cars and 10,000 foot passengers each year. Also this week, in the latest edition of our Business HQ Monthly, I was interested in the boost to performance companies that had changed into employee ownership had experienced. Firms that have switched to the ownership trust model are citing ripple effect benefits that are bolstering production. Hundreds of firms across Scotland have opted to move the majority of shares to staff and have said it provides security and continuity. One historic firm that has seen a number of ownership structures, United Auctions, said the move to an employee ownership trust will help maintain the longevity of the business.
BBC News
12-06-2025
- Business
- 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
12-06-2025
- 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.
BBC News
03-06-2025
- Business
- BBC News
Corran Ferry passenger fare paused for more debate
Plans to introduce the first foot passenger fare on the Corran Ferry have been delayed after a group of councillors pushed for a full council 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 at a meeting on the group has used a notice of amendment to pause implementation of the fare after raising concerns about how it might affect businesses and residents. Highland Council said a special meeting would be held later this month. Andrew Baxter, Liberal Democrat councillor for Fort William and Ardnamurchan, led calls for a debate at a meeting of the full council. The charge for the crossing of Loch Linnhe's Corran Narrows was expected to come into effect in the summer. Under the plan approved last week, the 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 confirmed it had received a notice of amendment and a special meeting would be held on 12 local authority 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.
