Support for Rosyth passenger ferry plea

A motion in the Scottish Parliament calling for the reinstatement of the passenger service on the Rosyth to Zeebrugge ferry has received cross-party support.

There was widespread political anger when it was announced that DFDS Seaways would be axing the passenger ferry service from December and replacing it with two ro-ro ferries, for a freight ferry only service.

Thousands of people will be affected by the move although the Danish company have stressed that any passengers booked on the Scottish Viking beyond December 15 will receive refunds.

DFDS, who took over the Norfolkline service last month, blamed the decision on the recession.

Politicians reacted with anger at the announcement, while representatives from the Scottish haulage industry welcomed the increase in freight traffic, with four sailings set to take place.

John Park, Labour MSP for Mid Scotland, said he had secured cross-party support for his motion to reinstate the passenger ferry service from Rosyth to Zeebrugge.

"I am pursuing all possible avenues to see if we can get the passenger service reinstated and have also written to the transport minister requesting an update on what the Scottish Government are doing about this," he said.

Mr Park, along with Labour's shadow transport spokesman Charlie Gordon, said he is to meet DFDS to discuss the service changes.

The Rosyth to Zeebrugge ferry service was previously raised in the Scottish Parliament by Mr Park when the route was cancelled in 2008.

Mr Park's motion stated, "That the Parliament notes with concern the recent announcement by DFDS to end the passenger service on the Rosyth-Zeebrugge ferry service in December 2010; hopes that changes to the existing freight service will improve the long-term security of the route; further hopes that businesses in Fife and across Scotland will not be faced with a repeat of the cancellation of the route in 2008, and calls on the Scottish Government to support the reintroduction of a passenger service on the route and help develop Rosyth's status as an international transport hub."