Transport

A key infrastructure project supported by The Highland Council’s Community Regeneration Fund has been completed in Uig on the Isle of Skye.

The Uig Footbridge at River Rha has been replaced after reaching the end of its lifecycle and was officially reopened on Saturday 29 March by Chair of Skye and Raasay Area Committee, Cllr John Finlayson.

The Scottish Government today announced that 1 April 2025 will see the introduction of free inter-island ferry travel for all island residents under the age of 22 within Orkney, Shetland and the Outer Hebrides.

In recent weeks there has been a rise in quad bike and vehicles thefts from rural areas across the UK. 

These thefts greatly affect the daily working practices of farmers, crofters and land managers, including the financial impact of replacing the vehicle. 

Public investment is planned for a major redevelopment project at Port of Nigg in the Highlands.

Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) has approved up to £10 million to support development of the port’s Inner East Quay, which will result in the creation of a new heavy-duty quayside and the introduction of roll-on roll-off capability.

The Scottish and UK governments have signed a £70 million investment programme with Argyll and Bute Council to deliver vital economic growth for the area.

The Scottish Government has launch a consultation on its draft plan, which identifies the key challenges and opportunities that the transport sector faces in making a just transition to net zero.

Scottish Rural and Islands Transport Community (SRITC) has published their draft report summarising findings from the first stage of their Rural & Islands Mobility Plan (RIMP) project. 

The draft is the result of extensive research and insights gathered since 2020, and includes:

• An assessment of how effectively transport authorities communicate strategies to these communities.

A major campaign to encourage farmers and others in Scottish agriculture to wear a helmet every time they get on a quad bike has been launched by RSABI, in partnership with The Farm Safety Foundation (Yellow Wellies).

The six-month “Use Your Head. Use Your Helmet” campaign, kicks off this month with the launch of a video featuring farmer Callum Lindsay who sustained major head injuries when he had an accident on his quad in October 2023.

A £20 million fund will help Scotland’s islands to play a crucial role in Scotland's society, culture and economy.

The capital investment, to be split equally between the two local authorities as part of the 2025/26 Budget, would help to sustain and improve inter‑island connectivity in a way that best meets local needs. 

The Scottish Government has launched a consultation seeking feedback on proposals to lower the national speed limit on single carriageway roads from 60 mph to 50 mph and to increase speed limits for goods vehicles exceeding 7.5 tonnes on single carriageways from 40 mph to 50 mph and dual carriageways from 50 mph to 60 mph.