Petitioner: Councillor Gordon Murray and Councillor Rae Mackenzie on behalf of Protecting Inter-Island Transport Links
Status:
Closed
Date Lodged:
08 March 2013
Calling on the Scottish Parliament to urge the Scottish Government to review its national policies on the provision of lifeline air services between Scotland's islands, consider the impact on local communities by the withdrawal of subsidies which enable such air services and to develop air transport public service obligations in the Hebrides and throughout Scotland.
The petitioners have collected 1,010 offline signatures.
Summary:
15 March 2013: The Committee took evidence from Councillor Gordon Murray, Councillor Rae Mackenzie, and Councillor Donald Manford, Comhairle nan Eilean Siar. The Committee agreed to write to the Scottish Government and local authorities where public services obligations operate. Link to Official Report 15 March 2013 (438KB pdf)
28 May 2013: The Committee agreed to invite the Leader and Convener of Comhairle nan Eilean Siar to give evidence at a future meeting. The Committee also agreed to write again to Orkney Islands Council and Shetland Islands Council. Link to Official Report 28 May 2013 (471KB pdf)
3 September 2013: The Committee took evidence from Councillor Angus Campbell, Leader, and Councillor Norman A Macdonald, Convener, Comhairle nan Eilean Siar. The Committee agreed to write to NHS Western Isles and to invite the Minister for Transport and Veterans to give evidence at a future meeting. Link to Official Report 3 September 2013 (587KB pdf)
12 November 2013: The Committee agreed to close the petition, under Rule 15.7, on the basis that the Scottish Government has stated that it has no plans to review the number and range of air services subject to PSOs; and that the removal of subsidies by a local authority is a matter for that local authority. In closing the petition, the Committee agreed to write to Comhairle nan Eilean Siar. Link to Official Report 12 November 2013 (538KB pdf)
Written Submissions:
Importance of inter islands flight to islanders and visitors.
How can Local Authorities expect support for better transport links with mainland Scotland when they cut their own inter island links with peripheral communities?
Do local authorities take account of the economic impact of withdrawal of the inter island air service, especially in terms of tourism and local businesses?