A NEW UK Government fund could help reestablish a direct ferry route from Scotland to Europe "very soon", campaigners have argued.
SNP MP Douglas Chapman has written to Levelling Up Secretary Michael Gove and the chief executive of Forth Greenport to encourage them to help with the ferry route’s application for funding via the UK Government’s £150 million Investment Opportunity Fund.
“It could well deliver all the initial investment required to get the Euro-ferry service up and running very soon,” the local Dunfermline and West Fife MP said.
It comes after plans to launch the route in May this year were put on hold due to a “lack of financial support” from the Scottish and UK governments.
In January, Derek Sloan – the shipping expert behind the project to restore the route – told The National that “considerable progress” had been made but warned that plans won't take off without backing from either Westminster or Holyrood.
Ferry operator DFDS said at the time that the lack of backing made the business case for the route “less viable”. DFDS added at the time, however, that they still “remain firm in our belief” that the route can operate on a sustainable financial basis.
Chapman – who has long campaigned for the route to be restored – said that the awarding of this UK Government funding would offer a “strong signal” to the market as well as DFDS that would reduce risk while freight and passenger numbers are being built up.
He said: "The demand for an efficient and regular direct ferry route into Europe from Rosyth remains buoyant and meeting this need for both freight and passengers has been our driving force since the campaign started.
“While Scottish Government funds are limited, we are at the start of a new financial year and we'll keep pressing them for what is a relatively small amount of support – some of which could be provided in kind.
"Our attention however is now focused on the recently announced £150m Investment Opportunity Fund which the Forth Greenport could access and submit an application for in the coming months.”
Chapman added that improving maritime connectivity between Rosyth and international markets was a “key selling point” in Forth Ports winning the original greenport bid.
"I certainly hope that the response from Forth Greenport is a positive one and a funding bid is made as getting this service operational in the near future is critical to supporting exporting businesses in Scotland and to give a very much needed shot in the arm in our hard working and hard pressed inbound tourist industry."
Why are you making commenting on The National only available to subscribers?
We know there are thousands of National readers who want to debate, argue and go back and forth in the comments section of our stories. We’ve got the most informed readers in Scotland, asking each other the big questions about the future of our country.
Unfortunately, though, these important debates are being spoiled by a vocal minority of trolls who aren’t really interested in the issues, try to derail the conversations, register under fake names, and post vile abuse.
So that’s why we’ve decided to make the ability to comment only available to our paying subscribers. That way, all the trolls who post abuse on our website will have to pay if they want to join the debate – and risk a permanent ban from the account that they subscribe with.
The conversation will go back to what it should be about – people who care passionately about the issues, but disagree constructively on what we should do about them. Let’s get that debate started!
Callum Baird, Editor of The National
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel