First foot passenger fare proposed for Corran Ferry

A foot passenger fare could be introduced for the first time on Europe's busiest single-vessel car ferry.

Highland Council said a £2 charge could generate £20,516 a year on its Corran Ferry service in Lochaber.

The five minute crossing of Loch Linnhe's Corran Narrows carries about 270,000 cars and 11,000 commercial vehicles a year.

Councillors agreed to a 10% increase on vehicle fares in March, but left a decision on foot passengers to next week's economy and infrastructure committee.

In a report, officials said the £2 fare was considered to be affordable.

Passengers aged five to 22, over 60s and disabled people would not be charged.

The crossing links the wider Lochaber area with communities in the Ardnamurchan peninsula in the west.

The alternative journey by road around Loch Linnhe takes about two hours.

The MV Corran, or its back-up the Maid of Glencoul, operates on the route.

In their report, council officials said the numbers of foot passengers were far lower than the vehicles carried.

An estimated 10,258 adult passengers a year would pay the new £2 fee.