Outer Hebrides Infrastructure Renewal Fund

23 September 2021 at 17:32:38

Comhairle nan Eilean Siar is to start discussions with Scottish Government, CalMac and the tourism industry on the issue of establishing an Outer Hebrides Infrastructure Renewal Fund.

The purpose of the Fund would be to generate additional income which would be ring-fenced for investment in visitor infrastructure.

Cllr Uisdean Robertson, Chairman of Transportation and Infrastructure, said: "Over the past number of years we have seen significant and welcome growth in tourism to the Outer Hebrides.  This has brought many benefits to the local economy and to our communities.  The increase in visitors and, in particular, the increase in motor home users has put significant strain on local infrastructure and we need to think how best to invest in that infrastructure for the future.  The Comhairle, therefore, wants to work with the sector and with relevant agencies, in what is a complex matter, to look at a fair, proportionate system that will allow visitors to the islands to make a contribution to improved visitor amenities and enhanced infrastructure.  In the first instance we would like to explore a way in which motor-home users could become pilot contributors to such a Fund and we will open discussion with Government, CalMac and the industry to explore these potentials."