SCOTTISH Government officials are due to give a presentation on the Scottish Ferry Services Draft Plan to Argyll and Bute councillors on February 28 at 10.30am at Lochgilphead.

Following the publication of the Draft Plan, officers from the Scottish Government's Ferries Division will be giving presentations to local authorities on the plan's contents.

The Draft Ferries Plan has been prepared following the 2010 public consultation exercise and sets outs the Scottish Governments proposals for the provision and support of Scotland's ferry services over the next decade. The Scottish Government are seeking opinions and views about the level and type of services each community should receive and the closing date for responses will be March 30.

The Ferry Services Draft Plan will ultimately make recommendations regarding

• Where investment should be focussed to make connections better for island and remote rural communities
• Improving reliability and journey times
• Seeking to maximise the opportunities for employment, business, leisure and tourism
• Promoting social inclusion

If anyone has any comments to make or questions they would like to raise they should contact their local councillor before the meeting.

The Scottish Ferry Services Draft Plan can be viewed and downloaded at

http://www.transportscotland.gov.uk/strategy-and-research/publications-and-consultations/draft-ferries-plan-consultation