Committee publication · Correspondence · 17 June 2026 · HC 167
Correspondence from Cllr Heather Woodbridge, Leader of Orkney Islands Council regarding follow up from 20 May session, dated 12 June 2026
Summary
Councillor Heather Woodbridge, Leader of Orkney Islands Council, writes following her 20 May 2026 evidence session to the Scottish Affairs Committee on island fixed links. The letter provides detailed supplementary information on Churchill Barriers maintenance costs (estimated £26.4m–£129.6m for various solutions), ferry fleet renewal progress (£20.8m revenue funding in 2025/26), acute fuel cost pressures (£117,000 monthly overspend), and requests UK Government support for island transport funding and fuel cost mitigation.
Key findings
- Churchill Barriers closures due to wave overtopping remain infrequent but operationally significant; 16 closures in 2023 dropping to zero in 2026. Technical solutions to reduce closures cost £26.4m–£129.6m (2024 estimates) but would not eliminate closures. Council has no funding capacity and seeks Scottish Government support via STPR2 (unsuccessful) and National Islands Plan.
- Orkney Islands Council has secured increased revenue ferry funding: £12.8m (2022/23) to £20.8m (2025/26), underpinned by Orkney Ferries Taskforce established 2022. Phase 1 ferry replacement targets routes to Eday, Sanday, Stronsay, and Westray; additional investments include procurement of third aircraft and landing craft MV Toplander.
- Ferry fuel costs impose acute financial pressure: approximately £117,000 monthly overspend above budget due to Middle East geopolitical instability, with further increases expected in summer. Unlike CalMac services (Scottish Government-funded), Orkney's local authority-run operation absorbs fuel volatility directly.
- Post-Brexit UK Government funding replacements for European Regional Development Fund have not delivered equivalent support to island areas. No local authorities in Highlands and Islands received 2026/27 Local Growth Fund allocation; all Scottish funding directed to Central Belt.
- Woodbridge reiterates invitation for Committee members to visit Orkney to experience Churchill Barriers, ferry networks, and internal air services firsthand.
Tone
ProceduralTopics
transport-infrastructureisland-connectivitypublic-financeregional-development
Key actors
Councillor Heather Woodbridge, Orkney Islands Council, Scottish Affairs Committee, Patricia Ferguson MP, Scottish Government, UK Government, John Swinney, Orkney Ferries Taskforce
Notable line
“There is a clear need for a funding approach from the UK Government that more effectively reflects the original intent of European regional funding …”
Key Quotes
“I reiterate the invitation I extended to the Committee during the oral evidence session to visit Orkney to experience our transport infrastructure first hand and explore both the opportunities and challenges that exist.”
“… it is reasonable to conclude that the presence of the Churchill Barriers - effectively integrating South Ronaldsay and Burray with Mainland Orkney - have played a significant role in supporting and sustaining population levels on these islands.”
“Even where these do not ultimately result in closure, the uncertainty can lead residents to alter or cancel planned activities in order to avoid the risk of becoming stranded for a few hours.”
“The Council is not in a financial position to fund the above works and so has an agreed position which is that: 1. That no further studies be undertaken at this time in respect of wave overtopping at Barrier Number”
“Fuel costs have risen sharply, currently adding approximately £117,000 per month above budgeted levels. This figure is expected to increase further during the summer timetable period, when fuel consumption rises in line with higher service levels.”
“This means that our ferry services are far more exposed than other areas to international market disruption.”
“However, these replacement schemes do not operate on the same basis and have not, to date, delivered equivalent outcomes for island areas.”
“There is a clear need for a funding approach from the UK Government that more effectively reflects the original intent of European regional funding, namely to provide targeted support to areas such as Orkney, where geographic circumstances give rise to unique and unavoidable challenges.”
Source · parliament.uk record ↗