A survey of peninsular residents has found most want a bridge or a tunnel across Loch Linnhe instead of an electric ferry.
The survey, run by the Corran Action Group, asked people in six community council areas, Ardgour, Acharacle, Morvern, Nether Lochaber, Sunart, and West Ardnamurchan, if they prefered a fixed link (a bridge or tunnel) or an electric ferry in the long term.
A total of 1,187 responded. Fifty-four per cent overall, or 641 residents, voted for a fixed link.
The majority was larger in Ardgour and Nether Lochaber, the two points from which a bridge or a tunnel would span across the Corran Narrows, where 58 and 56 per cent voted for a fixed link respectively.
It was larger still in Morvern (59 per cent) and West Ardnamurchan (61 per cent), and largest in Acharacle, where almost twice as many people voted for a bridge or tunnel (137 people/ 65 per cent) over an electric ferry (74 people/35 per cent).
However, preferences switched in Sunart, where only 77 residents (31 per cent) wanted a fixed link, while 173 (69 per cent) preferred an electric ferry.
Meanwhile repairs to the 48-year-old back-up vessel, MV Maid of Glencoul, are expected in January 2024 when replacement parts should arrive, Highland Council told the Corran Ferry steering group on Monday, December 11.
In May Highland Council ditched a plan to bid for two new electric ferries, estimated to cost £70.5million, in favour of a bid to the UK Government’s Levelling Up Fund (LUF) for £52million towards the cost of one new electric ferry.
However, their plan failed. Explaining why, the council revealed: “Unfortunately, the LUF Round 3 announcements were made without a bidding round being in place by drawing on previous bids that were submitted in Round 2, and the council was unsuccessful in securing funding in the latest round of levelling up (LUF 3).
“The good news is the council did receive the reallocation of £20 million from the Inverness and Highland City Region Deal to fund essential landside infrastructure improvements for the Corran ferry, as part of the UK Government’s autumn statement.”
The Corran Action Group asked why that £20 million is allocated for infrastructure and not replacement ferries.
“A replacement vessel would not have met the strict funding criteria funding, as as per UK Governments funding constraints,” the council replied.
“New slipways with aligning structures will remove the key constraint and be flexible enough to accommodate the existing MV Corran and provide interchangeability with Roll-On Roll-Off vessels (either second hand or new) from CalMac routes.
“Increased marshalling area and a new junction will resolve the road safety overspill issues onto the busy main trunk road A82. A new overnight berthing structure at Ardgour will result in ceasing the current practice of high-risk ship-to ship crew transfers, providing safer working operations for the ferry crew.
“The new infrastructure works will also enable the delivery of the new electric Ro-Ro vessels.” The construction period is expected to start in 2025 and end in 2026.
The action group also asked for clarification on the earliest opportunity for an electric ferry under CMAL’s small vessel replacement programme (SRVP).
The council responded: “Subject to budget for delivery, the earliest opportunity for a replacement Corran vessel through the SVRP is end of 2026 beginning of 2027.”
The action group repeated calls for a second diesel ferry instead.
The council replied: “At present there are no capital funds available for a new diesel ferry to be built.”
The action group raised community requests for locals to be granted free travel on the MV Corran for a period as compensation for lost revenue, additional diesel costs, extended travel times and missed appointments, etc., suffered while both the MV Corran and MV Maid of Glencoul were out of action for 145 days this year.
However, the council poured cold water on the plea, saying: “The Corran Ferry service requires income to be run sustainably. At present there are no proposals for free travel that can be considered, although the previously purchased season ticket books have had their period of use extended.”