Orkney and Shetland will each recieve £10million from the Scottish Government to improve inter island connectivity. The money could be used to improve ferries and flights, or towards fixed links and tunnels.
The funding is in addition to £50 million revenue funding available to the four councils (Orkney, Shetland, Argyll & Bute, Highland) which operate their own ferry services, and £4 million to reflect the higher costs of delivering services in island communities.
Shona Robison, Cabinet Secretary for Finance and Local Government in the Scottish Government said:
“Scotland’s islands face unique challenges and this government is determined to do everything we can to support them.
“That is why the Budget I delivered last week included £20 million in new funding to support connectivity in the Northern Isles, in a way that best supports their local communities.
“This will support work around ferries, flights or fixed links such as tunnels and bridges. We have listened to the calls from people in Orkney and Shetland and we are taking action – that is what people in our islands can expect from this government.
“Our Budget will deliver real progress for Scotland, which is why we are asking Parliament to unite behind it.”
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