1. Mull Community Council Results of RET Questionnaire
Isle of Mull, February 2017

2. 188 responses from Businesses and Residents

3. Business Responses Did you see an increase or decrease in business?

4. How did that affect your turnover?

5. Did you have a longer season?

6. In many areas the increase in traffic has caused parking problems
In many areas the increase in traffic has caused parking problems. Did this affect you?

7. Do you think the delay by the Scottish Government in completing the review of freight fares is affecting the economy of the island?

8. Resident responses As a result of RET, do you take your vehicle to the mainland more frequently?

9. Has the introduction of RET resulted in you spending more time on the mainland?

10. Has the introduction of RET resulted in you spending more money on the mainland?

11. Have you had difficulty getting a booking for your chosen sailing?

12. In many areas, the increase in traffic has caused parking problems
In many areas, the increase in traffic has caused parking problems. Did this affect you?

13. In your opinion, has the increase in tourism impacted on the environment?

14. Summary of Responses

15. Table 1: In many areas, the increase in traffic has caused parking problems. Did this affect you? Responses from businesses 37 Responses
Parking a problem in Craignure, Fionnphort and Tobermory
Campervans causing obstruction, especially in Tobermory Main Street, Ledaig car park.
Volume of traffic on roads has increased, with many drivers not using single track roads correctly. i.e. not using passing places correctly, not letting traffic pass and not aware of oncoming traffic.
Not enough view-points for tourists, resulting in parking in passing places.
Too many vehicles on roads that are not built for such volumes and general lack of infrastructure for large number of tourists.
RET is more advantageous to tourists than to residents, especially as it is not applied to commercial vehicles.

16. Table 2: In many areas, the increase in traffic has caused parking problems. Did this affect you? Responses from residents 137 Responses
Major problems with parking in Craignure, Fionnphort and Tobermory, especially with campervans in Tobermory Main Street and Ledaig carpark.
More parking spaces needed across island
Too many people do not know how to drive properly on single track roads.
Far too many vehicles/campervans on the island in the season. Many roads unsuitable and problems of waste disposal.
Restrict number of vehicles on island. RET for residents only
More bins, more toilets, cheaper public transport

17. Table 3: In your opinion, has the increase in tourism impacted on the environment? If it has, in what way has the environment been affected? 136 responses
Large increase in the amount of litter and rubbish
Rubbish dumped in resident’s dustbins, litter on side of roads.
Large volume of traffic on the roads, causing congestion, pollution and slowing down travel.
Roads unable to cope with large increase in traffic, resulting in verges being destroyed, more potholes.
Increase in wild camping by motorhomes and the emptying of their waste in inappropriate places (ditches, lochs, sea)
Lack of facilities for number of tourists
Wildlife being harassed by increase in numbers and thoughtless photography
The volume of tourists is destroying the ‘Tranquillity’ of Mull

18. Table 4: Are there any other issues you think are important and in which you would like to see the Mull Community Council becoming involved? 126 Responses
Educate visitors on how to drive on single-track roads.
Do something about the state of the roads
More and better maintained public toilets
RET, seems to be benefiting tourists rather than residents, should be applied to commercial vehicles so they can pass on the savings.
Issue of campervans. Wild camping, disposal of waste, parking, etc.
The NHS, provision of healthcare on the island

19. Calmac Annual Carryings (1 Jan 2016 - 31 Dec 2016) Passengers
Route
Total Passengers 2016
Total Passengers 2015
Passenger difference
% Difference
Oban to Craignure
644,827
555,233
89,594
16.4%
Tobermory to Kilchoan
47,152
36,379
10,773
29.16%
Fishnish to Lochaline
109,742
-4,691
-4.27%

20. Calmac Annual Carryings (1 Jan Dec 2016) Cars (Note: The definition of a ‘car’ was changed from a vehicle up to 5m long in 2015 to a vehicle up to 6m long in 2016 so these changes cannot be solely attributed to the introduction of RET)
Route
Total Cars 2016
Total Cars 2015
Cars Difference
% Difference
Oban to Craignure
162,288
115,375
46,913
40.66%
Tobermory to Kilchoan
10,564
6,068
4,496
74.09%
Fishnish to Lochaline
42,719
45,072
-2,353
-5.22%

21. Calmac Annual Carryings (1 Jan 2016 - 31 Dec 2016) Coaches
Route
Total Coaches 2016
Total Coaches 2015
Coaches Difference
% Difference
Oban to Craignure
1,908 2 92
5.07%
Tobermory to Kilchoan 6 5 1
20%
Fishnish to Lochaline
307
309 -2
-0.65%

22. Calmac Carryings (1 Jan 2016 - 31 Dec 2016) Commercial Vehicles
(Note: The definition of a ‘commercial vehicle’ was changed from a vehicle over 5m long in 2015 to a vehicle over 6m long in 2016 so these changes cannot be solely attributed to the introduction of RET)
Route
Total Commercial Vehicles 2016
Total Commercial Vehicles 2015
Commercial Vehicles Difference
% Difference
Oban to Craignure
7,388
8,826
-1,438
-16.29%
Tobermory to Kilchoan 17 46
-29
-63.04%
Fishnish to Lochaline
2,492
3,377
-885
-26.21%