Annex A - Strategic policy background

National Transport Strategy 

The National Transport Strategy for Scotland sets out the Vision for Scotland’s transport system for the next 20 years stating that: “We will have a sustainable, inclusive, safe and accessible transport system, helping deliver a healthier, fairer and more prosperous Scotland for communities, businesses and visitors.”

The Vision is underpinned by four priorities to:

Reduce inequalities

  • Will provide fair access to services we need
  • Will be easy to use for all
  • Will be affordable for all

Take climate action

  • Will help deliver our net-zero target
  • Will adapt to the effects of climate change
  • Will promote greener, cleaner choices

Help deliver inclusive economic growth

  • Will get people and goods where they need to get to
  • Will be reliable, efficient and high quality
  • Will use beneficial innovation

Improve our health and wellbeing

  • Will be safe and secure for all
  • Will enable us to make healthy travel choices
  • Will help make our communities great places to live
The National Transport Strategy - as described in text above
Scotland's National Transport Strategy

National Plan for Scottish Islands

The National Plan for Scotland’s Islands, published in 2019, provides a framework for action in order to meaningfully improve outcomes for island communities. The Plan sets out 13 strategic objectives. Strategic Objective 3 relates to improving transport services for island communities. Strategic Objective 3 includes a number of commitments, with the following being most pertinent to the ICP Vessels and Ports Plan:

  • Develop a new Ferries Plan that will meaningfully contribute to delivering the outcomes of wider Scottish Government strategies as set out in the National Transport Strategy and this National Plan for Scottish Islands.
  • Produce a long-term plan and investment programme for new ferries and development at ports to improve resilience, reliability, capacity and reduce emissions to give confidence to island communities on our ongoing commitment.

The National Planning Framework 4 - sets out our spatial principles, regional priorities, national developments, and national planning policy.

Strategic Transport Projects Review 2

Transport Scotland’s second Strategic Transport Projects Review (STPR2) will be used to inform transport infrastructure investment in Scotland over the next 20 years. The STPR2 has identified recommendations focusing on the strategic transport network in Scotland. The case for sustained investment in ferries and ports is supported by a number of recommendations in the final report of the STPR2, in particular: 

Recommendation 18: Supporting integrated journeys at ferry terminals.

  • A detailed review of key ferry terminals to consider physical integration and accessibility.

Recommendation 24: Ferry vessel renewal and replacement and progressive decarbonisation.

  • Renewal and replacement of the Clyde and Hebrides Ferry Services (CHFS) and Northern Isles Ferry Services (NIFS) vessels including progressive decarbonisation by 2045.

Recommendation 41: Potential Sound of Harris, Sound of Barra fixed link and fixed link between Mull and Scottish mainland.

  • Undertake further work on business cases to better understand the benefits, costs and challenges associated with these options.

Recommendation 42: Investment in port infrastructure to support vessel renewal and replacement and progressive decarbonisation. 

  • an investment programme in port infrastructure, including power supplies, to support STPR2 recommendation 24.

Rural Delivery Plan

  • The First Minister’s 2023 Policy Prospectus committed the Scottish Government to publishing a Rural Delivery Plan setting out how all parts of the Scottish Government are delivering for Scotland’s rural and island communities.
  • To deliver on that promise, we will publish a Plan by the end of this Parliament.
  • The Islands Connectivity Plan will contribute to the Rural Delivery Plan.