Orkney Islands Council Secures Funding for Low-Carbon Travel Project

Orkney Islands Council has today (August 8) welcomed the news that they have secured £670,000 from the European Regional Development Fund for a low carbon travel project in Stromness.

The project, known as the 'Stromness Multi Modal Low Carbon Transport and Active Travel Hub' has four key elements:

• The installation of a shore power equipment to enable the supply of 'green' electrical power to the MV Hamnavoe whilst in Stromness, drawing off locally produced renewable energy.
• The installation of an electric bus charger at the Ferry Terminal to open up opportunities for an electric vehicle to be used on the Stromness to Kirkwall route.
• The installation of an electric vehicle charging points for ferry users.
• The procurement of electric bicycles for use by members of the public, plus associated shelters and charging points.

Additional funding for the project will come from the Council's own funds and from HITRANS.

The procurement of electric bicycles for use by members of the public, plus associated shelters and charging points.

Additional funding for the project will come from the Council's own funds and from HITRANS.

The funding will come from the European Regional Development Fund's Low Carbon Travel and Transport Challenge Fund, a capital fund that aims to facilitate the delivery of active travel and low carbon hubs and paths.

The Stromness project is the most northerly of the nine successful projects to receive funding. 

Brian Archibald, Head of Marine Services, Engineering and Transport at Orkney Islands Council said: “Orkney has an excellent reputation for low carbon and renewable energy innovation and I am delighted that this project to remove carbon from the ferry, bus and car transport modes in Stromness has been given recognition and generous financial support from the Low Carbon Travel and Transport Challenge Fund. We very much look forward to working with colleagues across the renewable energy and transport sectors in Orkney and at HITRANS to deliver this innovative work as soon as possible.”