News
Have your say
30/10/2009 08:18:00
This is an opportunity for members of the Orkney community to have their say on an issue close to their heart.
THE implications for Orkney of North Ronaldsay and Papa Westray failing to be fully included in the North Isles ro-ro transport services.
by SIMON BROGAN
SEVENTEEN years after the introduction of ro-ro, North Ronaldsay is
served by the smallest and most exposed pier in Orkney. It was last
improved in the early 1960s and its lifeline service delivery during
winter is minimal. In winter, risks are taken when a ferry ties up in
difficult conditions and mooring ropes snap.
Often the boat cannot dock and businesses based on the island are
adversely affected such as sheep shipping. Example: for eleven weeks
during winter 2006-7, 37% of ferry services to Papa Westray were
disrupted or cancelled. For North Ronaldsay the figure was 73%.
A ro-ro vessel that delivers its cargo with a crane because there is no linkspan does not make sense.
The prevailing circumstances make it impossible to draft a reliable
North Isles timetable. The whole system is therefore less efficient and
more difficult, impacting everybody.
I cannot find an equally disadvantaged community, of similar size, in Shetland or the Western Isles.
Imagine a major incident occurring around North Ronaldsay's shores, the
lack of adequate harbour arrangements would be a national embarrassment.
Ro-ro was introduced into the North Isles early 1990s and 17 years
later the OIC 's plans to complete the project remain in the balance.
Orkney Islands Council has decided on the vision and principles which
they have decided to aim for. Top priority is given to survival, and is
defined as 'maintaining fragile communities as places where people can
live and work. In the last 50 years there has been a steady drift away
from the Isles towards the towns on mainland Orkney. We need to
recognise that our smaller islands are a distinctive and a highly
valuable asset, and these communities need investment to secure their
future.'
North Ronaldsay is the most unique and iconic of the islands in Orkney.
Given the universal importance of shipping services to islands, what
does this survival principle really stand for? North Ronaldsay is to
Orkney as Orkney is to Mainland Scotland.
On a more positive note a contemporary tidal resources map, illustrates
North Ronaldsay surrounded by an extent of resource density out of all
proportion to the island's size. Our society is entering a period where
carbon footprints will be mainstream thinking and livestock farming
will face this. The North Ronaldsay breed of sheep must be close to
being the ultimate low carbon livestock. They are a breed apart -
exceptional on all fronts and the rest of us are lucky to still have
them. The community that has managed to achieve this should be brought
into the North Isles surface transport system. Councillors and the
wider community should get behind the effort to achieve this and in
doing so appreciate the stoicism and shear love of place that this
community quietly displays.
The following was announced at an OIC Transport/Infrastructure
Committee on April 23, 2009. The estimated cost to improve Orkney's
marine infrastructure is as follows with the programme completion date
of 2015: Outer North Isles vessels £30 million; South Isles terminals
(inc Graemsay) £19 million; North Ronaldsay terminal £16 million;
Westray/Papa Westray, vessel and terminals £10 million; Rousay,
Egilsay and Wyre vessel, and terminals £5.5 million; Shapinsay ferry
modification £1.5 million.
The Scottish Government officials advising OIC have said to have the
best chance of securing funds, the OIC must be seen to be making a
significant contribution.
The unfolding implications of the current financial difficulties are
beginning to reveal themselves. If the Scottish Government has to make
savings, will the above investment programme be cut? What might be cut?
OIC has no history of pursuing harbour and ro-ro facilities in North
Ronaldsay and consequently has no lobbying track record.
Whatever happens to this plan even if it does come good for North
Ronaldsay, I contend that OIC has been looking in the wrong direction
in relation to the issue of population decline in Orkney's island
communities for a considerable length of time. The OIC's foray into the
Pentland Firth Short Sea crossing is a clear example of looking in the
wrong direction.
Another illustration is the single mindedness that has been displayed
for ten years trying to lift the Scapa Flow Container Terminal off the
drawing board. This plan reminds me of Icelandic banking practices. The
main lesson to conclude from the coming of oil to Orkney is that local
government and the wider community should have remained predominantly
focused on its own hinterland. Specifically the oil era has left us
with an over large harbours department with a lasting and
disproportionate influence. What was the thinking behind building all
pier extensions for the coming of ro-ro with raw steel holding back
loose infill, for example?
When everything is secure at home then you can look abroad. It is clear
that all is not well at home. The Hall Aitken Population Change study
is a reminder that if you don't make an effort with your top principle
ie. island community survival, the situation will continue to
backslide. Papa Westray is a notably strong exception and is described
in this report as 'showing positive population and economic profile
despite its relative isolation and small population.' At the other end
of the survival scale sit North Ronaldsay, Flotta, Eday and Graemsay
being described as 'having population patterns and trends that suggest
their medium- to longer-term sustainability is threatened'.
Stronsay, Sanday, Rousay, Egilsay and Wyre are described as 'becoming
threatened with a low proportion of children, high reliance on
in-migration and with below average economic activity.' In the marginal
category lie Hoy, Westray and Shapinsay.
It is tempting to make value judgements about the underlying reasons
for the various prospects for individual island communities and it's
equally tempting to allow these judgements to cloud investment
decisions. If it's to mean anything the survival principle must be
applied equally. It is less complicated to do so. Each and every island
has a very different character, with its own set of dynamic strengths
and weaknesses. OIC policy towards these small threatened communities
requires more thought, a degree of subtly, and some psychological
expertise because perception plays such an important role. We need to
try and understand why Papa Westray and North Ronaldsay are at opposite
ends of the same spectrum. I think it is also important to consider the
counter intuitive fact that Flotta's population has continued to fall
despite the arrival of the oil terminal. This is important to
understand because of the expectations in Hoy connected to the
container terminal scheme. I hope I've given you enough encouragement
for a reflection on the OIC's survival policy.
The views in the Have Your Say articles are those of the contributor
and not necessarily those of 'Orkney Today'. If you want a say on a
specific issue that is pertinent to Orkney contact Orkney Today by
email at editorial@orkneytoday.co.uk.