4. To ask the Scottish Government what analysis it has undertaken of any potential impact on local communities of the reported deterioration of vital transport links in the Highlands and Islands region. (S6O-02183)

An assessment of Scotland’s strategic transport network was undertaken as part of the second strategic transport projects review. The final recommendations of STPR2 were published on 8 December 2022. The reports include final appraisal and outcomes for the Highlands and Islands region.

My officials at Transport Scotland continue to engage with partners across the Highlands and Islands to monitor strategic transport links, such as trunk roads, ferries and air routes. Where routes are affected by weather or technical incidents, Transport Scotland works with operators, emergency services and local resilience partnerships to resolve issues as efficiently as possible.

There are simply too many areas of concern to ask about in just one question. I could ask about the appalling state of roads across my Highlands and Islands region, the increasing number of CalMac Ferries services that are failing to deliver for the communities that they are meant to serve, or the on-going issues at the Corran Narrows crossing, where residents are still without a vital ferry link and are forced to detour on a much longer road route.

However, I would like to get some clarity from the minister about the disruption to Orkney following the incident involving the MV Pentalina. Although there appears to be no recall option as part of the agreement between CalMac and Pentland Ferries, could CalMac still agree for the MV Alfred to return to its normal Pentland Firth route, if there was a prolonged absence of the MV Pentalina? If yes, what discussions has the minister had with CalMac and Pentland Ferries about that option and any further disruption to west coast routes that it might cause?

As I explained to the chamber on Tuesday, there is no recall element to the contract between CalMac and Pentland Ferries; it is a commercial contract. However, we will continue to monitor the situation with regard to the transportation of goods and people to Orkney. As I explained on Tuesday, we have moved to the summer timetable, so there are three return services a day between Scrabster and Stromness. I explained to the chamber that I will continue to keep a close eye on all of that to see whether further service provision is required. Beyond that, I reiterate the point that it is a commercial contract between CalMac and Pentland Ferries. In the discussions that we have had, neither Pentland nor Orkney Islands Council have called for the recall of MV Alfred.

Does the minister consider that the northern isles lifeline ferry services are operating as best they can on overnight crossings? Booking a cabin is a struggle, booking a cabin with a vehicle is a struggle and booking dates beyond 30 September is not only a struggle but impossible, because the booking system is not open beyond that date.

We will move to open bookings as soon as that is possible. I want to ensure the best possible services for the residents of Orkney and Shetland, and I think that NorthLink Ferries serves them very well indeed. I visited NorthLink in Aberdeen recently, and I was impressed by the changes that it has made to the service to suit the needs of islanders.

I will write to Ms Wishart to give her an indication of when we will move to open that booking system.