Motion · S6M-08756 · 27 Apr 2023

The Future of Island Transport Infrastructure

Lodged by Beatrice Wishart Members' Business Motion 16 supporters

The motion

That the Parliament acknowledges what it sees as the importance of connectivity in Scotland’s rural and island areas; recognises Scotland’s net zero targets, which were voted for by the Parliament; notes the reportedly high output of carbon emissions from ferries serving Scotland’s islands; believes that reliable transport infrastructure is essential for local communities, providing social and cultural benefits, as well as underpinning local economies and tourism; notes the recommendation of the second Strategic Transport Projects Review (STPR2) to investigate potential fixed link connections, such as tunnels, along ferry routes on the Sound of Harris, the Sound of Barra, and between Mull and the Scottish mainland; understands that tunnels to connect communities on the Shetland Islands were deemed out of scope of STPR2 by Transport Scotland; acknowledges Shetland’s grassroots tunnel action groups, made up of community members advocating the potential advantages of tunnels to connect the isles, and notes the support for opportunities to explore the benefits of short tunnels in Shetland.

Supporters (16)

Source: the Scottish Parliament motions and amendments record.