Wishart calls for extension to ferry consultation due to internet disruption
Shetland MSP and Scottish Liberal Democrat, Beatrice Wishart, has called on the Scottish Government to extend its Northern Isles Ferry Services 4 (NIFS4) contract consultation beyond Monday 13th October due to internet disruption experienced in Shetland because of damage to the SHEFA-2 cable. Wishart wrote to the Minister for Connectivity highlighting the unfairness of islanders missing out on sending an online response because of issues outhwith their control.
The consultation asks for views on the new contract for the NorthLink service which is periodically put out to contract for operators to bid to run the service on behalf of Transport Scotland and the Scottish Government using the government owned vessels.
Ms Wishart previously asked the Scottish Government in July to provide paper copies highlighting due to then ongoing mobile broadband signal and internet outages. Subsequently damage to the SHEFA-2 cable caused further interruption which Ms Wishart raised in the Scottish Parliament earlier in the week.
The consultation opened on the 22nd of July and is set to close on Monday 13th October.
Ms Wishart said:
“The consultation has been open for a number of weeks though for many of those weeks island residents have had disrupted internet access impacting the chance for everyone to have their say.
“It would be hugely unfair if those who wished to have their say were unable due to internet disruption outwith their control.
“I would urge anyone interested to take part in this important consultation. I fear the Scottish Government will use a lack of engagement as an excuse not to implement the changes on the service passengers have been crying out for.”
The text of Ms Wishart’s letter to the Scottish Government in July can be found below:
Dear Jim
I write with reference to the public consultation on the future of the Northern Isles Ferry Services contract (NIFS4) and the process for my constituents to submit their views without using the online portal. As you may be aware, Shetland is currently experiencing significant problems with connectivity due to separate, ongoing outages with mobile broadband signal and internet. Of course, some constituents will also choose to complete their submission by post.
It is disappointing that this process does not seem as straightforward as it could be. The ‘Respondent Information Form’ , for example, is a separate document that people are required to download which states that it also “must be completed and returned with your response”. This information is not clear on consultation webpage. Would it not be easier for the two forms to be combined in one document to ensure that the necessary information is captured?
The files for the ‘Consultation Questions’ also contain little or no space to actually provide an answer. This could act as a barrier for those looking to complete the forms and may prove a challenge for those who are not computer-literate, who seem amongst the most likely to want to complete the forms without use of the online portal.
As I am writing at the outset of this process, it would be helpful if these forms could be redesigned to ensure there are no barriers for those who wish to complete the questions in this way. I am sure you will agree that it is vitally important for the future of the lifeline service on which my constituents rely that everyone who wishes to respond to the consultation are not prevented from doing so because of accessibility issues.
Finally, has any consideration been given to providing a number of printed, paper copies in the local community for those with no internet access? It would seem logical to make a small number of paper copies available at the ferry terminals, or perhaps through the local authorities at town halls, libraries or community centres?
I look forward to your reply.
Yours
Beatrice Wishart MSP
Ms Wishart’s question to the Scottish Government about communications disruption can be found here.
The text of the Ms Wishart’s latest letter to the Minister for Connectivity can be found below:
Dear Jim
I write with reference to the public consultation on the future of the Northern Isles Ferry Services contract (NIFS4) and the process for my constituents to submit their views without using the online portal. I was grateful for your response to my letter in July on the same topic.
As you may be aware, Shetland is once again experiencing significant problems with connectivity due to internet disruption as a result of damage to the SHEFA-2 cable. I recognise that the consultation has been open for a number of weeks and that there are other means to respond to the consultation, not least thanks to your intervention for printed copies made available in the community. However, it would be a great shame that anyone who wishes to respond is unable to because of disruption to their internet from forces outwith their control.
I would like to request that Transport Scotland extend the deadline of the NIFS4 consultation to ensure that those impacted by the internet disruption have longer to take part in the process. Indeed, it would not be a fair assessment of the views of passengers in Shetland with significant numbers unable to take part in the consultation.
I look forward to your reply.
Yours
Beatrice Wishart MSP