Latest news with #KenGowans
STV News
4 days ago
- Automotive
- STV News
Councils across north agree £300m deal to install 570 EV charging ports
Electric Vehicle charging points in the North of Scotland will more than double in the next three years. An extra 570 places to top up car batteries are to be installed as part of a £300m deal jointly funded but Highland, Aberdeen City, Aberdeenshire and Moray councils. EV infrastructure company EasyGo will develop the network while also adopting and maintaining the area's existing charging points as part of a 20-year contract. The company currently operates the largest EV network in Ireland, with over 4,500 charging stations across the Emerald Isle. It's the first time several councils have come together to work on a deal of this kind, with Highland Council taking the lead in the project. Councillor Ken Gowans, vice convener, said: 'By addressing the critical need for expanded charging infrastructure, we are removing significant barriers to electric vehicle adoption, better serving our communities in both urban and rural areas and delivering a wide range of community benefits. 'Together, we are paving the way for a greener, more equitable and connected future across the Highlands and beyond.' Of the funding, £7m comes from Transport Scotland's £30m Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Fund, which is aimed at helping councils to work with private companies to boost the number of charging stations across Scotland. Cabinet secretary for transport Fiona Hyslop said: 'Our £30m Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Fund has now been fully allocated to support this type of collaboration across the country and is expected to support the delivery of around 6,000 additional public charge points by 2030. 'In the north of Scotland, our investment has enabled an innovative procurement partnership across four local authorities, that is expected to leverage over £4.9m of additional matched private sector investment over the next three years to expand the availability, accessibility and reliability of public EV charging. 'As we transition away from ChargePlace Scotland, in line with our published vision for public charging infrastructure – this truly collaborative approach, supported through our Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Fund, directly contributes to our ambition to phase out the need for new petrol and diesel cars and vans by 2030.' Get all the latest news from around the country Follow STV News Scan the QR code on your mobile device for all the latest news from around the country
Scottish Sun
5 days ago
- Business
- Scottish Sun
Cruise ship passengers docking in Scotland set to be slapped with extra tourist tax
CASHING IN Cruise ship passengers docking in Scotland set to be slapped with extra tourist tax Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) CRUISE ship passengers are facing a levy to land in the Highlands, after the region's council backed the tax. A Scottish Government's consultation closes at the end of this month. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 1 Cruise ship passengers are facing a levy to land in the Highlands Credit: The Sun It has proposed giving local authorities new powers to charge the levy. It says money raised could be invested into facilities the ships and their passengers use, or be left to local authorities to decide where the funds are spent. The Highland Council has now issued its support. A meeting of the council's Economy and Infrastructure Committee today heard that such a levy could provide additional funds to mitigate the impacts of tourism and ensure the area remains a world-leading and sustainable visitor destination. Chair Ken Gowans, said: 'The Highland Council supports the introduction of discretionary powers for local authorities to implement a cruise ship levy, recognising its potential to generate recurring revenue to mitigate tourism-related pressures and sustain local infrastructure. 'Such a levy would empower communities to reinvest in services and help develop the Highlands as a world-class, sustainable destination all at no cost to Highland Council taxpayers, something everyone across our communities will welcome. 'Should such powers be granted, the Council will then undertake further extensive analysis and engagement to inform future decision-making.' While the growth of the cruise ship sector has been welcomed and contributed to the economy, as with all visitors, cruise ship passengers can place significant pressure on local infrastructure and services. If implemented, such powers would be the first in the UK although cruise ship levies are already in place internationally, including Amsterdam, Barcelona, Dubrovnik and Venice. Members agreed that any levy should be based on the number of passengers per ship, and cruise ship operators would be the most suitably placed to collect the levy from passengers for remitting to the local authority. The cruise line loved by foodies where every restaurant is free onboard The committee said local authorities should decide the rate of any levy, with revenue raised retained and used strategically within that same area. This would enable funds to be dispersed where visitors visit within the implementing local authority area and improve the wider tourist experience. The Scottish Government's consultation also proposes that local authorities with islands be given the power to charge a levy on those arriving to visit an island, regardless of the means of transport by which they arrived. In response, The Highland Council has strongly encouraged the Scottish Government to not focus solely on islands and instead to introduce a point of entry levy for all of Scotland, enabling all Scottish local authorities to exercise their discretion to introduce a Point of Entry levy within their geographical boundaries. In addition, The Highland Council is preparing a proposition based on a means of having the ability to charge at points of entry into the Highlands, which will go some way to address the impacts of motorhomes and campervans. In 2023, passenger numbers to Highland ports reached almost 300,000 and the gross tonnage of cruise vessels hit the 10,000,000 GT mark. Within Highland there are 16 ports and harbours with cruise ship activities. These range in type, size and capacity from the Port of Cromarty Firth in Invergordon, which is a trust port and the busiest cruise ship port in Scotland, to Shieldaig which is a rural municipal harbour accommodating only one or two small cruise ships each year. In 2019, 893 cruise ships docked in Scottish ports, carrying 817,000 passengers and by 2024 this had increased to 1,000 cruise ships carrying 1.2 million passengers with the busiest day seeing 9,600 visitors arrive in the Port of Invergordon. Existing levy rates across European ports range from approximately €3-14 per passenger. In 2019 The Highland Council engaged in a public visitor levy consultation, the outcome of which resulted in a decision to support 'in principle' the introduction of a visitor levy. But the operators of Invergordon's Port of Cromarty Firth are strongly opposed to a new tax. The port expects to welcome almost 100 liners this year, carrying a total of 150,000 passengers. Cruise ships already pay charges for berthing at Invergordon's wharfs and quays, and port bosses any extra burden might put cruises off from visiting. The port's research suggests a levy of £5 per passenger, for example, would increase the cost to those ships by 23%. It has also estimated this would lead one in 10 cruise businesses to choose an alternative destination. The research suggests passengers spend a minimum of £100 per visit, meaning potentially millions of pounds could be lost to the Highland economy, the port argues. Joanne Allday, of Port of Cromarty Firth, said all kinds of businesses could be affected Joanne Allday, the port's head of strategy and business, says she is worried the effect of the extra costs would filter down through the local economy. "A lot of the work around the cruise industry is seasonal work," she said. "It's people working in shops, it's taxi drivers, it's tour guides. "It's these people who are likely to suffer." She added: "We don't understand the economic rational for bringing in a levy".
BBC News
5 days ago
- General
- BBC News
Highland 20mph speed limit made permanent
Highland councillors have agreed to keep 20mph speed limits at 127 locations across its were lowered from 30mph in 2023 as part of a trial designed to improve voted in favour of keeping the scheme by 10 votes to decision equates to hundreds of miles of road. Highland Council has the longest road network in the UK with more than 4,200 miles (6,759km) of roads. The locations include roads in Inverness, Nairn, Wick and council said data showed the trial resulted in an average speed reduction of about 3mph for those driving at 28mph or councillor Ruraidh Stewart argued the trial had not proven effective, and part-time 20mph limits outside schools were economy and infrastructure committee chairman and SNP councillor, Ken Gowans, said the scheme could save lives.
The Herald Scotland
26-05-2025
- Business
- The Herald Scotland
Derelict school to be transformed into affordable housing
The renovation will provide affordable housing while also supporting the local community, businesses and minimises the carbon footprint both during construction and in use. Chair of the Council's Economy and Infrastructure Committee, Councillor Ken Gowans said: 'This is exactly the type of project the Vacant & Derelict Land Investment Programme should be supporting. The renovation of this derelict school and school house will create 5 or 6 fuel efficient user-friendly housing unit, in an area where affordable housing is very limited.' READ MORE: The Council will the administer the funding and the project will be delivered by the Communities Housing Trust Communities Housing Scotland (CHT) working with The Glendale Trust. The project will be a case study to demonstrate how derelict buildings can be refurbished cost effectively, provide significant benefits to the community and much needed housing. While undertaking the renovation, under existing building regulations, each stage will be analysed to determine improvements that could make renovations a more attractive and cost-effective option. Councillor Gowans added: 'Improvements identified could include changes to regulations and planning status, project efficiencies, energy management, waste management and reduction in environmental impact. 'I wish everyone involved all the very best as they move forward with this exciting transformation project.'
The National
30-04-2025
- Automotive
- The National
Speed cameras on North Coast 500 road set to go live
Police Scotland's north safety camera unit have announced they are reinstating average speed cameras on the A836, between Reay and Thurso, in the Highlands from Monday, May 5. The force said the decision follows a 'successful' two-month trial between September and October last year. Speed cameras were deployed in a bid to improve road safety and reduce incidents of speeding on the road. READ MORE: Historic golf course rescued after huge flood shut it down During the two-month period, the cameras detected zero offences as average speeds on the road decreased, Police Scotland said. It was confirmed that the camera unit will now rerun the trial during this year's peak visitor season in partnership with the Scottish Safety Camera Programme and Highland Council. SNP Councillor Ken Gowans, chairman of Highland Council's economy and infrastructure committee, said he hopes the reintroduction of the speed cameras will make the roads safer for all who use them. 'I am pleased average speed cameras will be reinstated on this busy route in peak season,' he said. 'Speed limits make the roads safer for all road users, including passengers, cyclists and pedestrians. 'I hope that the reintroduction of speed enforcement will remind drivers of the importance of speed compliance and road safety, especially on a route as popular as they travel on the beautiful North Coast 500.' Following the introduction of the NC500 in 2015, Highland roads on the route have seen an increase in traffic during the peak tourism months between spring and autumn. The cameras are expected to be in place until after the peak summer months. Eric Dunion, North Safety Camera Unit manager, said deploying the cameras short-term allows them greater flexibility over which locations are used. He said: 'This location would not normally meet the criteria to become a permanent location. 'But the short-term deployment scheme gives us the flexibility to be at locations where we believe there will be a change in traffic behaviour. 'It is hoped this extension of last year's trial will again result in speed limit compliance by all types of vehicles and help to meet our aim of making our roads safer for all users.'
