Hanvey Calls for New Year Summit “To Breathe New Life Into” Direct Ferry Link to Europe Plans

Alba Party Westminster Leader Neale Hanvey MP is calling on the Scottish Government Transport Minister Fiona Hyslop MSP to “breathe new life” into plans to re-establish a direct ferry link between Scotland and mainland Europe by convening a summit of all interested parties early in the New Year. This would bring together the Scottish Government, Fife Council, Fife Chamber of Commerce and Enterprise and the UK Government, as well as local MSPs and MPs. Commercial companies with an interest in running the service to cover both freight and passenger services would also be invited to take part.

Mr Hanvey has today (Tuesday 26th December) written to the Transport Minister setting out his proposal for a Summit which he believes has the support of the public.

In a statement, Neale Hanvey MP said:

“As we look towards a new year it is surely a time for all those who care about improving Scotland and Fife’s vital transport infrastructure and sustainable economic growth to renew our efforts to re-establish a direct ferry link between Rosyth and mainland Europe.”

Mr Hanvey the MP for Kirkcaldy and Cowdenbeath continued:

“I have written to the Transport Minister urging her to use her position to breath new life into these plans by convening a Summit of all of the interested parties early in the New Year.  The aim would be to discuss the operational feasibility, the economic viability and the commercial opportunities which such a proposal would bring to kick-start trade and tourism by re-establishing both freight traffic and passenger journeys between Rosyth and the mainland of Europe.

“I believe there is widespread support for re-opening a direct ferry route to mainland Europe, including from Fife Council, the Fife Chamber of Commerce and Enterprise, individual businesses and the travelling public but it requires the political will and some modest ‘pump priming’ finance through the Scottish and UK Governments to make this happen.

Mr Hanvey concluded:

“Direct ferry links from Scotland to mainland Europe, would if realised, generate much needed jobs at home as well as boosting trade and tourism on which our future economic prospects depend.

“I therefore hope that the Transport Minister will look favourably upon this initiative and respond positively to it.”