Lib Dems to debate plans to ‘end ferries fiasco for good’

An MSP has put forward a series of proposals he said would “end the ferries fiasco for good”.

Jamie Greene will put his plans to party members at the Scottish Liberal Democrat conference this weekend.

The motion will ask them to back a new Ferries Bill within the first year of the May election, which he said would guarantee that islanders are served with a reliable transport network.

He said the plan, launched after a consultation with island communities, would “empower them in key decision-making”.

The motion calls for new statutory requirements to replace aging vessels and enshrine in law the production of a rolling 30-year strategy for ferries and port infrastructure “so no community is ever left without a viable lifeline service or fit for purpose harbour”.

Mr Greene defected from the Scottish Tories to the Lib Dems in April, with party leader Alex Cole-Hamilton confirming the move at the party’s last conference.

Under his proposals, the current governance structure of the nation’s maritime assets would be overhauled and made independent of government.

Mr Greene said his plans would give islanders a “guaranteed seat at the table, including on the boards of key maritime agencies”.

The motion also calls for the expansion of the current compensation scheme for those impacted by ferry disruption, describing the current limits as “arbitrary” and “unfair”.

Mr Greene said: “Islanders and coastal communities are paying the price for the Scottish Government’s failure to provide the ferries they need or procure new vessels on time and on budget.

“They deserve better than countless SNP ministers who’ve shown that they can’t be trusted with lifeline links.

“We need to get Scotland moving again. By backing this motion, the Scottish Liberal Democrats’ conference can send a clear message that we have a realistic plan to get things done.

“We can end the ferries fiasco for good through a new Ferries Bill that puts fairness for these communities at its heart.

“They deserve a new strategy that guarantees vessels are replaced in time and islanders deserve a real say on how their ferries are run, on top of proper compensation for the disruption they’ve suffered.”

A Transport Scotland spokesperson said: “We are investing in six, new, major vessels and seven, new, small vessels to strengthen Scotland’s ferry network, renew over a third of CalMac’s fleet and improve resilience.

“We have also allocated funding within the 2025-26 budget to facilitate the acquisition of Ardrossan Harbour and remain committed to listening to island voices, with community engagement embedded in every stage of planning and delivery.”