Sound of Barra and Sound of Harris Ferries Online Surveys

HITRANS,  Comhairle nan Eilean Siar, and Highlands and Islands Enterprise have commissioned research to assess the case for increasing the number of sailings on the ferry services on the Sound of Harris (Berneray-Leverburgh) and the Sound of Barra (Ardmhor-Eriskay).

A number of different options are under consideration and HITRANS, the Comhairle, and Highlands and Islands Enterprise are keen to understand the possible impacts on the people and businesses, who might be affected by these changes.

Reference Economic Consultants and Scotinform have been commissioned to conduct research to help inform these decisions and are keen to hear from as many people and businesses as possible. You can find out about the proposed changes, and tell us about the impact(s) that they will have on you - good or bad - by completing the online surveys listed below. Please complete as many surveys as are relevant to you and/or your business by clicking on the links.

We appreciate the time that you take in sharing your views and experiences. The surveys are collecting detailed information so that we can understand the impacts as fully as possible. If you would like to save your answers and return to the process later you can use the 'Save' function within the survey.  As a thank you for your time in completing the household surveys you can, if you wish, be entered into a prize draw to win an e-voucher worth £100 for a retailer of your choice.

It is really important to us to collect feedback from as many people and organisations as possible, so please feel free to share the links to other individuals or groups who you think would like to participate. Reference will also be conducting telephone interviews with businesses as part of the project.

All of your responses will be treated in confidence and will not be reported in a way that can identify you.   Thank you for your time and opinions.

The closing date for responses is Friday 18 March 2022.

Councillor Uisdean Robertson, HITRANS Board Member and CnES Chair of Transportation, said: "We know how important the ferry services across the Sounds are and are aware of requests in recent years for there to be more sailings.

"We want to hear from residents and businesses who use these lifeline services to identify demand for increasing the number of sailings to these island destinations.  A strong response will be a great help in our attempts to secure enhanced services."

Joanna Peteranna, area manager for HIE's Outer Hebrides team, said: "We are really keen to hear from local people and businesses about their views on increased ferry sailings across the Barra and Harris Sounds. This survey will assist us, and our partners, in making the case for communities in the Outer Hebrides to have increased ferry provision that would expand social and economic benefits across the islands."

Sound of Barra Ferries Household Survey: https://wh1.snapsurveys.com/s.asp?k=164260333561

Sound of Barra Ferries Business/organisation Survey: https://wh1.snapsurveys.com/s.asp?k=164260479659           

Sound of Harris Ferries Household Survey: https://wh1.snapsurveys.com/s.asp?k=164380775751                

Sound of Harris Ferries Business/organisation Survey: https://wh1.snapsurveys.com/s.asp?k=164422642790