Key themes of the Strategic Assessment

The draft Strategic Approach paper sets out the following key themes: community voice and transparency; reliability and resilience; accessibility; timetables, unplanned and essential travel; integration of services; capacity and demand; freight; vessels and ports; low carbon and environmental impact; ferry fares; and local authority services.

A majority of all respondents – 71% of those answering the question – thought that the key themes set out capture the main aspects of transport connectivity for island and peninsula communities. Individuals were more likely to be supportive than organisations at 74% and 64% respectively.

Although some respondents set out why they had agreed or disagreed at the closed question, general observations were made about the importance of ferry services, the ICP or one or more of the 11 themes set out in the draft Strategic Approach Paper. There were also suggestions for changes to one or more of the themes, and/or suggested additional themes.

Respondents were most likely to suggest that ‘reliability and resilience’ and ‘capacity and demand’ are the themes that should be prioritised. However, it was also noted that priorities may vary from island to island, and that different communities may have different views on how the themes should be prioritised.

Respondents suggested a number of additional themes that should be included, with economic development, including tourism, the most frequently made suggestion.