The generation of over 40 full-time equivalent tourism jobs and cost savings of £500,000 per year to island businesses are two of the main findings of independent research into the impacts of the Sound of Harris ferry service.

Demand for the Caledonian MacBrayne service - which operates between Berneray and Leverburgh - has almost doubled since it began operation in 1996, attracting more visitors to the Western Isles and boosting access to a wider range of services and social activities for islanders.

The evaluation of the social and economic impacts of the Sound of Harris ferry was commissioned by Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) and Western Isles Enterprise (WIE) and was undertaken by Inverness-based consultants Grangeston Economics.

The research identified an additional £1.5 million in visitor expenditure, which can be attributed to the ferry service.  This has resulted in the creation of around 44 full-time equivalent jobs in the tourism sector. Other key findings include:

* 32 per cent of visitors said they would not have travelled to the Western Isles if the Sound of Harris ferry had not been available, confirming its importance in making the Western Isles a more attractive holiday destination.
* Western Isles businesses using the service have made annual savings of £500,000 through reduced transport, accommodation and subsistence costs.
* Of the residents surveyed, one in three said they had not travelled between Lewis/Harris and the Southern Isles before the service commenced.
* 89 per cent of residents felt they now had better social interaction with other parts of the Western Isles, with 66 per cent stating that the ferry service reduced feelings of isolation.

Commenting on the findings Tom Matthew, HIE's transport policy manager, said: "If you invest in your transport infrastructure, it pays off in the long-term - it's as simple as that.

"The findings show that more frequent ferry services help to grow businesses and strengthen communities. Prior to 1996 there was no regular or frequent vehicle ferry service across the Sound.  This not only meant increased time and cost for travellers.  It also made it difficult to market the Western Isles as a single visitor destination or as a single market for businesses.

"The findings demonstrate the general principle that where access is improved then, allied with support to businesses and community groups via the HIE network, the result is significant economic and social benefits.  What holds true for the Western Isles is also the case for other island communities, notably in Argyll, where we continue to argue that increased sailing frequency will produce the type of impacts that we have seen from the Sound of Harris service."

Traffic on the route - which is currently served by MV Loch Bhrusda - has increased significantly since Caledonian MacBrayne began its operation. In 2002, the service carried 44,700 passengers, 14,600 cars and 1,600 commercial vehicles.  Usage by commercial vehicles has actually grown by an overwhelming 90 per cent with most of those delivering food products.

The service's success has resulted in the commissioning of a larger vessel which is due to begin operating from next month. While this is a welcome move, the consultants also pointed to the need to increase existing sailing frequency to meet the demands of travellers, accepting that legislative requirements restrict sailings to daylight hours.

Commenting on the research, WIE chief executive Donnie Macaulay said: "This is an extremely valuable piece of work.  Importantly, it shows that the service has enhanced the overall competitiveness of the Western Isles. WIE, along with its partners, will be looking at ways to capitalise on the emerging opportunities and improvements highlighted in the report.

"At WIE, we would particularly like to see an improvement in the range and number of attractions and activities for visitors in the area, and the development of more facilities for conference and business meetings."

Chairman of Comhairle nan Eilean Siar's transportation committee is Norman A. Macdonald.  He said: "We were particularly struck by the increased interaction between the communities of the Western Isles.  In particular, one third of island residents using the service had not made a trip across the Sound prior to the ferry service starting in 1996, with new trips being made particularly to sporting and cultural events.

"The Sound of Harris ferry service is an essential part of the spinal link which now exists along the length of the islands."

Lawrie Sinclair, managing director of Caledonian MacBrayne said: "The report confirms that the introduction of the MV Loch Bhrusda is a major success story in the Western Isles transportation system and we are delighted to have contributed to its success through our highly regarded crew.

"There is however no room for complacency in terms of the traffic being carried on the route given the vagaries of the economy and factors beyond our control.  Cal Mac is very much looking forward to the introduction of MV Loch Portain and will be making the seamless introduction of the enhanced service with the bigger vessel a priority and will be making the potential growth of business on the route one of our key targets."