MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

Transport study: consultation ends soon

THE government of the Falkland Islands will spend over £4 million this year on internal transport ? that's over £1,700 per head of population and accounts for almost 10% of government expenditure.

Is this sustainable or should we now be searching for ways to take advantage of the huge investment in the road infrastructure over the last decade or so by integrating the operation of road, sea and air transport? These are the fundamental questions posed by the Integrated Transport Study on which consultation is drawing to a close.

During the last three months the government's Chief Executive Chris Simpkins has made a series of presentations in Stanley and Camp setting out the main issues posed by the transport study and, "...encouraging people to express their views so that they can be taken into account by the government as it begins to develop a strategy for its investment in transport over the next five years or so." The final meeting will be held in Stanley in the next couple of weeks.

The study describes the current level of provision of road, air and sea services, identifies emerging issues in respect of each and poses a series of questions for the future, Mr Simpkins said.

"It deliberately does not attempt to present answers or propose a future structure of transport services ? that will be the subject of a further consultation exercise later this year when the Transport Advisory Committee has considered the results of the current consultation process and submits a draft strategy for the future to Executive Council."

Mr Simpkins reported that a wide variety of views have been expressed so far but there have been six "consistent messages" so far:

? There are no easy solutions. The vast majority of people recognise that continuation of the current arrangements is not financially sustainable and that the opportunities which the investment in roads provides to integrate air and sea services with shipping must be pursued. Any change will be controversial but FIG must provide leadership. ? Good communications are a vital ingredient of a successful economy. ? Linking the East and West Falkland road networks by the introduction of a permanent and regular ferry service is highly desirable. ? Expenditure on roads is unlikely to reduce in the foreseeable future since greater emphasis will need to be placed on maintenance and capping if usage increases. ? Changes in air services offers the greatest opportunity for cost reduction stemming from reduced flying hours and extending the life of the existing airframes although everyone recognises that it is a complex issue. ? There should be a single point of responsibility and contact in government for transport services.

Mr Simpkins commented, "As is often the case, government will be faced with some difficult decisions as a strategy for future investment in, and operation of, transport infrastructure is developed over the coming months against a background of fragile and volatile income and high expectations of service supply.

"Solutions to the issues identified in the Study will be elusive and costs are unlikely to reduce in the immediate future. As is so often the case, changes to present arrangements are unlikely to command universal support!"

Mr Simpkins' latest presentation on the Integrated Transport Study was to members of the Chamber of Commerce Chamber President, Tim Miller, described the presentation as "very useful and informative" and many suggestions for saving money were made by those present. "There were many options possible - the consensus was that there has to be a radical shake up and change that is affordable to both government and the user, as we clearly cannot continue as it is."

Members of the public wishing to share their views on any of the points identified in this article or, indeed, on any transport issue, can write to Mr Simpkins at The Secretariat. (PN)