A resolution on Rural and Island Connectivity has been submitted to the upcoming SNP National Conference.
CONNECTIVITY drives the global economy. Whether it be shipping lanes that criss-cross the oceans, roads which take us from A to B, or the internet cables that allow instantaneous communication around the world, globalisation has meant that humanity has never been better connected.
In Scotland, the digital revolution offers great potential for our rural and island communities – and the Scottish Government is working hard to deliver this.
The Reaching 100% (R100) programme is accelerating access to full-fibre broadband networks and prioritises early investment in Scotland’s island and rural areas.
The Scottish 4G Infill (S4GI) programme, is investing £28.75 million (including £11.27 million of European Regional Development Funding) to deliver future-proofed, 4G mobile infrastructure and services to 55 mobile “notspots” – providing vital connectivity in rural and island areas.
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All the while, our government continues to engage with the UK Government and Ofcom, who have legal and regulatory responsibility for telecommunications, to ensure they understand and consider Scotland’s position in relation to the devolved matters that affect the sector.
The Scottish Government has had success in previous rural infrastructure projects, such as the Borders railway re-opened in 2015. The EU also helped provide vital structural funding for causeways and bridges in the Outer Hebrides, such as 50% of the funding for the Scalpay Bridge.
Currently, the Scottish Government is helping commuters during the cost of living crisis by scrapping peak railway fares. We await with interest the Islands Connectivity Plan being developed by the Scottish Government, due for publication this year.
We must not rest on our laurels though. Well-publicised challenges remain in providing reliable public transport, quality roads and high-speed internet to our rural and island communities.
Prior to Brexit, the Western Isles benefited from over £90 million of EU Structural Funds. Post-Brexit, the Comhairle’s recent submission to the UK Government Levelling Up Fund for £50m to invest in our critical roads infrastructure was rejected.
We live in a post-Brexit and post-Covid world.
Inflation has seen construction costs skyrocket whilst Brexit bureaucracy continues to stifle innovation, capital and labour markets. We must adapt and we must build for the future.
Recognising the importance of rural communities to the Scottish economy and the particular challenges they face, a resolution on Rural and Island Connectivity has been submitted to the upcoming SNP National Conference.
Collaboration between Na h-Eileanan an Iar and London Branches, alongside valuable input from the rural working group of the SNP Policy Development Committee, have helped shape the resolution. The resolution covers a range of areas which we believe will help improve rural and island connectivity.
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Firstly, it recognises there is a need for long-term strategic thinking about how our rural and island communities want to be connected. It also recognises that measures need to be put in place in the short-term to ensure that communities are not cut off from vital business and essential supplies due to a breakdown in the transport system.
Setting clear objectives will ensure our government has a target to aim for and be measured against.
Secondly, it urges for cross-party, cross-governmental cooperation to tackle connectivity challenges, such as a dedicated Scottish Parliament Committee or giving more powers to local authorities to improve existing routes and explore new connections.
The composition of governments and local leaders inevitably changes over people’s lifetimes, but there must be a consistent thread amongst our elected leaders about what needs to be done to maintain and improve connectivity.
Thirdly, we need not look to Westminster but to our neighbours, who face similar challenges of geography, demographics and economics. We propose that Scotland convenes a regional connectivity forum with our neighbours in Ireland, Wales, the Faroes and Norway to share ideas and best practices for improving connectivity.
In Ireland, regional airports are set to receive £14.3 million in Government aid. In the Faroe Islands, several undersea tunnels have been built (including the world’s first sub-sea roundabout) whilst its 5G network boasts record download speeds of almost 6Gbps.
In Norway, there is the ambition to replace coastal ferries with fixed links via tunnels, bridges and causeways, as seen with the successful Nordøyvegen project. Exchanging ideas and examples of good practice with our northern European neighbours can only be a good thing for our communities and for Scotland’s reputation in the world.
Independence will secure the power and resources to design and build infrastructure that meets the needs of all of Scotland’s communities. Using the tools at our disposal we can start to lay the foundations for future prosperity.
Our rural and island communities have a great future ahead of them – but we must invest in their connectivity now to achieve it.
Paul Anderson is the political education officer of the SNP London branch and a member of the SNP’s policy development committee.
Susan Thomson is the SNP councillor for Uibhist A Deas, Eirisgeigh Agus Beinn Na Faoghla in Comhairle nan Eilean Siar and convenor of the Na h-Eileanan an Iar SNP branch.
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