Western Isles council call for retention of RET in full

Comhairle nan Eilean Siar has unanimously adopted the following position on RET (Road Equivalent Tariff):

The Comhairle fully supports Road Equivalent Tariff (RET), believing that it has brought significant economic and social benefit to the Outer Hebrides community;

The Comhairle is of the view that the current proposals by Scottish Government in regard to the withdrawal of RET for commercial vehicles will be detrimental to the economy and community of the Outer Hebrides;

The Comhairle requests that Scottish Government withdraw its proposals as regards the withdrawal of RET for commercial vehicles until the evaluation, referred to in the announcement by Transport Scotland on 13 February 2012, has been completed;

The Comhairle supports the Outer Hebrides Transport Group in seeking to reverse Scottish Government’s proposals to remove RET for commercial vehicles and will work with the Group to assist this element of its work;

The Comhairle requests that Scottish Government introduces RET on the ferry service on the Sounds of Barra and Harris; and that the revised charging of vehicles from 5m to 6m be applied to the Sounds of Barra and Harris at the earliest opportunity and, in any event, no later than 1 April 2013; and that the Chief Executive, with the Directors of Development and Technical Services, submits a report to the Transportation Committee at the March series of meetings seeking approval for the Comhairle’s response to the Ferries Review and proposing further action to be taken in support of the Comhairle’s policy position on RET.

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