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New round of funding to improve access on ferry services


By Alan Hendry

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Serco NorthLink Ferries is among the companies that have received support in previous rounds of the Ferries Accessibility Fund.
Serco NorthLink Ferries is among the companies that have received support in previous rounds of the Ferries Accessibility Fund.

A seventh round of funding is being made available to enhance access on ferry services around Scotland.

The Ferries Accessibility Fund has reopened to applications with a view to helping with improvements to existing vessels and harbours that go beyond regulatory standards set for accessibility.

Around £71,000 is available from the fund, with awards being made on a match-funding basis. Bids can come from the public or private sectors.

NorthLink Ferries and Scrabster Harbour Trust are among those that have benefited from the fund in the past.

Scotland's transport minister Graeme Dey said: “The Ferries Accessibility Fund has proved a hugely successful initiative in recent years, so I’m very pleased to reopen it for a seventh round of applications.

“Previous rounds have helped fund a wide variety of projects, from Changing Places facilities to staff training, so I encourage any potential bidders to come forward with proposals to improve their services.

“We want ferry and harbour operators to provide the best passenger experience possible and this fund continues to support our efforts to enhance the door-to-door journey for all of our ferry users.”

Around £429,000 has been allocated in the previous six rounds of awards from the fund.

Previous successful applicants include CalMac Ferries Ltd, Serco NorthLink Ferries, Ullapool Harbour Trust, CMAL, Western Isles Council, Orkney Ferries Ltd, Scrabster Harbour Trust, Disability Equality Scotland and Mallaig Harbour Trust.


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