By stewartb

In a BBC News article dated 8 January 2024 entitled ‘Grant Shapps wades into Isles of Scilly ferry row’, in the context of the lengthy ongoing saga regarding the replacement of the ageing ferry to the Isles of Scilly, we learn this from islands’ Councillor Steve Sims: “People are quite worried, because you know, it’s quite a visceral thing this.

“People would like to know what’s happening and when it’s going to happen, so they can put their minds at rest really.” He said this was a “huge, huge issue” for the Isles of Scilly.’

The incumbent service provider, the Isles of Scilly Steamship Group (ISSG) has now opted to find private rather than public finance to replace its ageing ferry, The Scillonian III – which has been operating between Penzance and the Isles of Scilly since 1977. Yes it’s been operating for c. 47 years! But then ferries can last longer if they only operate in English waters and without undue concern from opposition politicians and the MSM – it seems!

The ISSG is reported by The BBC stating this about the UK government: “Following the government’s funding route would have delayed delivery of the vessels by two years to 2028; potentially opened up the whole process to legal challenge and further delay; limited our ability to cross-subsidise Skybus (a supplementary air service it runs to the islands), leading to a potential 25% increase in air fares and would mean the route being tendered every five years, making long-term planning difficult and not providing security to our 200-plus employees.”

This is Westminster’s concern for England’s island communities.