Public Transport: Isles of Scilly

(asked on 21st November 2017) - View Source

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask Her Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by Baroness Sugg on 20 November (HL2981), whether they have received any assurances from the Isles of Scilly Steamship Company (IOSSC) regarding the continuing operation of (1) ferry, and (2) air, services between the Isles of Scilly and the mainland; and if so, what assessment they have made of those assurances, including (a) IOSSC’s contingency plans, and (b) the extent to which those services are of value to the residents and the economy of the Isles of Scilly.


Answered by
Baroness Sugg Portrait
Baroness Sugg
This question was answered on 5th December 2017

The Isles of Scilly Steam Ship Company (IoSSC) has stated in correspondence that the company is in a good position to raise finance to replace vessels on the route, and are considering options for replacement.

The Department for Transport has not undertaken a separate assessment of that commercial position, nor of the company’s contingency plans, but note that the Scillonian III is currently in winter maintenance for a full service in preparation for the 2018 season. The Department has similarly not undertaken an assessment of the value of the ferry or air service, but my predecessor encouraged continued dialogue between the IOSSC, the Isle of Scilly Council, and the Nobel Lord (Lord Berkeley) to consider these matters.

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