12.0 SUMMARY OF ENVIRONMENTAL EFFECTS

12.1 The Draft Ferries Plan sets out the Scottish Government's proposals for the provision and support of Scotland's ferry services, including decisions regarding funding and procurement, fares, responsibility for the provision of ferry services, and accessibility. The Draft Ferries Plan also sets out proposals for the provision of routes and services.

12.2 The funding and procurement of ferry services, and responsibility for their provision, are considered to be the kinds of strategic action that would result in no or minimal environmental effects. The same applies to issues of accessibility. The SEA has therefore focused on the potential environmental effects of changes to fares, provision of new vessels and proposals for new and/or changed routes and services.

12.3 The Scottish Government has proposed changes to fares policy, which includes the rolling out of Road Equivalent Tariff across the ferry network as the basis for single fares for passengers and cars. Based on evidence from the pilot, this is likely to result in an increase in car journeys, and therefore an increase in atmospheric emissions including greenhouse gases. The Scottish Government is encouraging the integration of ferry timetables with those for public transport as a means of reducing the number of individual car journeys, and thereby reducing emissions.

12.4 Proposals for changes to the provision of routes and services fall into the following categories:

increase in the length of the operating day, the frequency of services and/or the number of sailing days
provision of new vessels
provision of new or improved physical infrastructure (e.g. construction of berthing facilities)
changes to routes, including: provision of a new route; and review of the operation of an existing service, following other improvements, to ascertain if the route is still required
changes to levels of service, including: change of existing service to a passenger-only service; rationalisation of existing services; supplementing existing passenger/loose freight service with a ro-ro service; revising part of the timetable to reflect island residents' needs; changing levels of subsidy for summer routes only
retain the status quo

12.5 The existing routes on which the proposals would result in increased numbers of vessel movements comprise:

Ardrossan-Brodick (Arran)
Colintraive to Rhubodach (Bute)
Cumbrae-Largs
Oban-Coll and Tiree
Oban-Craignure (Mull)
Iona-Fionnphort
Port Appin-Point (Lismore)
Mallaig - Muck, Eigg, Rum and Canna (Small Isles)
Mallaig-Inverie-Tarbet (Knoydart)
Oban-Colonsay
Gigha-Tayinloan

12.6 Other proposals comprise:

One potential new route, for implementation in the long term: Campbeltown (via Arran) to Ardrossan or Troon.
Port/harbour infrastructure improvements at Brodick, Iona, Gigha, Stornoway and Ullapool.
Additional vessels on the following routes: Ardrossan-Brodick, Oban-Craignure, and Mallaig-the Small Isles.
Changes to routes as follows:
- replace Tobermory-Kilchoan with a passenger-only service
- replace the Port Appin-Point and Oban-Lismore services with a single passenger and vehicle service on the Port Appin-Point route

The assessment of port/harbour infrastructure improvements has been deferred to the STAG-type appraisal that will be undertaken for each improvement project prior to the publication of the final Ferries Plan.

12.7 This SEA has undertaken a high-level assessment of these proposals. A summary is provided in the following paragraphs.

Biodiversity

12.8 Increased numbers of vessel movements, as well as a new route, could result in a higher risk of collisions between vessels and cetaceans, particularly on seven of the twelve routes where changes are proposed. The SEA has identified a lack of evidence, and so the significance of this potential effect remains uncertain. The Scottish Government will explore if this is an issue and, if so, ways to resolve it. An update will be provided in the final Ferries Plan.

12.9 Increased numbers of vessel movements, as well as a new route, could result in the spreading of non-native invasive species once they have been introduced to Scottish waters. Existing measures, including the use of anti-foulant paints and control and management of ballast water, should act to control such risks. However, the Scottish Government will explore this issue further and provide an update in the final Ferries Plan.

Coastal processes

12.10 Increased numbers of vessel movements, as well as a new route, could increase the risk of coastal and seabed erosion resulting from the wake of vessels. The SEA has reviewed the routes where changes are proposed, and has identified areas that are susceptible to erosion in the proximity of these routes. However, it is not clear whether the proposed changes would result in a significant contribution to coastal erosion. Accordingly, the Scottish Government will explore with ferry operators, statutory advisers and others if this is an issue and whether information could be collected. If issues are identified, the Scottish Government will explore ways to resolve them. An update will be provided in the final Ferries Plan.

Air quality

12.11 No air quality issues have been identified at ports and harbours as a result of ferry activities. The increase in the number of vessel movements is likely to result in an increase of atmospheric emissions, particularly nitrous oxides, sulphur oxides and particulate matter. It is not expected that these increases will be significant at the national level. However, the Scottish Government will assess the potential for local air quality issues when the STAG-type appraisals are undertaken.

Water quality

12.12 Water quality has been considered in terms of the effects of increases in collisions between vessels. In light of the low reported accident rate, and the existing safety regime, no significant increases in collision rates are anticipated. No significant effects on water quality are therefore anticipated as a result of the potential increases in vessel movements.

Marine Litter

12.13 The potential for increased marine litter has also been considered, given the potential for effects on biodiversity interests and water quality. Although the increase in passengers and vessel movements is likely to increase the amount of litter generated, it is considered that the existing regulatory and management regime will control the amount of litter that ends up in the marine environment. A significant effect is not anticipated.

Greenhouse Gas Emissions

12.14 The potential increase in numbers of vessel movements is likely to give rise to an increase in the emission of greenhouse gases. The Scottish Government will continue its current work in progressing fuel-efficiency measures, both in the design and procurement of new vessels and in supporting technology retrofit. The Scottish Government will also explore with ferry operators and others if there are additional measures for the mitigation of greenhouse gas emissions. An update will be provided in the final Ferries Plan.

Cumulative Effects

12.15 The potential for cumulative environmental effects of the proposals contained within the Draft Ferries Plan has been considered. As noted in Chapter 11 and in Paragraph 12.14, the increase in numbers of vessel movements is likely to give rise to an increase in greenhouse gas emissions. This has the potential for cumulative effect.

12.16 The increase in the number of vessel movements also has the potential to give rise to cumulative effects on cetaceans and on coastal erosion. However, given the uncertainty surrounding these issues, the significance of this potential cumulative effect is also uncertain. The Scottish Government will explore these issues further, as set out in Chapters 5 and 7, and will provide an update in the final Ferries Plan.

Monitoring

12.17 In light of the uncertainty of effect, and the need for further exploration of these issues, proposals for monitoring of significant effect will be prepared and included in the Post Adoption Statement that will accompany the final Ferries Plan.