Impact assessments for ferry terminal works at Uig (Skye) and Tarbert (Harris): FOI release

Information requested

Section 8 (1) of the Islands (Scotland) Act 2018 requires that:

"A relevant authority must prepare an island communities impact assessment in relation to a —
(a) policy,
(b) strategy, or
(c) service, which, in the authority’s opinion, is likely to have an effect on an island community which is significantly different from its effect on other communities (including other island communities) in the area in which the authority exercises its functions.”

With specific reference to the decisions – policy, strategy and service provisions – to undertake the ferry terminal works at Uig (Skye) and Tarbert (Harris) and the consequent suspension and/or interruption of the Uig-Tarbert-Lochmaddy ferry triangle:

1. Which island communities impact assessments (ICIA) were relied upon by Scottish Ministers? Please list and provide e-documents. a.) Which negative impacts on the communities of Harris and the Uists were identified and what corresponding mitigating measures were to be implemented by Scottish Ministers?
2. Which island communities impact assessments (ICIA) were relied upon by the relevant local authorities ? Please list and provide e-documents. a.) Which negative impacts on the communities of Harris and the Uists were identified and what corresponding mitigating measures were to be implemented by the relevant local authorities?
3. Which island communities impact assessments (ICIA) were relied upon by the relevant public or quasi-public bodies, specifically CalMac Ferries Ltd and Caledonian Maritime Assets Ltd ? Please list and provide e-documents. a.) Which negative impacts on the communities of Harris and the Uists were identified and what corresponding mitigating measures were to be implemented by the relevant local authorities?
4. Other than any ICIA, did Scottish Ministers, local authorities or Calmac/CMAL conduct any other assessments upon which they relied of the economic, social, or environmental impact of the ferry terminal works at Uig (Skye) and Tarbert (Harris) and the consequent suspension and/or interruption of the Uig-Tarbert-Lochmaddy ferry triangle ? If so, please provide e-documents.

Response

1. As statutory harbour authority and owner of Uig Harbour, the Highland Council (THC) have prepared an Islands Community Impact Assessment (ICIA). To note: an ICIA became a statutory requirement in December 2020 as part of the National Islands Plan at which point the Uig project had been under development for some four years and was being re-tendered for the second time. The clear focus of the project remains the replacement of life expired infrastructure, improvement of capacity, reliability, and resilience of the port at Uig for the longer term benefit of the routes to and from the western isles. The ICIA assessment is currently being reviewed by THC working closely with CalMac Ferries Ltd (CFL) taking account of service continuity measures for the planned closure period. The ICIA will be completed following conclusion of the alternative ferry service proposals which have recently been finalised and published. a.) The ICIA will identify the impact of the outage and the extent that these impacts will be minimised with the alternative available ferry options provided by CFL. An economic assessment as part of the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) was undertaken by THC; where a Socio-Economics, Tourism and Public Access assessment considered the potential effects of the Proposed Development on the socio-economic and tourism characteristics of the area. The EIA concluded that any disruption to the ferry service at Uig will be clearly communicated to members of the public, along with alternative available ferry service options, to minimise potential impacts on tourists, local residents and commercial businesses. Details of the EIA Chapter 16 Socio-Economics, Tourism and Public Access can be found here.
2. See Answer 1 above. a.) See Answer 1 and 1a above.
3. See Answer 1 above. a.) See Answer 1 and 1a above.
4. It is the responsibility of the statutory harbour authority, THC to undertake and complete all assessments required as part of the planned closure for the infrastructure works at Uig harbour. We would suggest that contact be made directly with the Highland Council on this subject.

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