Comhairle Suggests Ferry Solution

05 June 2023 at 11:53:14

Cllr Uisdean Robertson has provided Scottish Transport Minister, Kevin Stewart with an amended ferry timetable which if actioned would eliminate the need to cancel the lifeline ferry service to Lochboisdale.

The amended timetable gives a solution which uses CalMac's current operational fleet to provide a service that meets every island's lifeline needs equitably and imaginatively for this temporary period.

On Wednesday (31 May) CalMac announced that the MV Lord of the Isles would be removed from the Lochboisdale to Mallaig crossing from 3 June to 30 June. This decision will deprive communities in Uist of a lifeline ferry service, causing unacceptable damage to businesses and general quality of life.

Cllr Uisdean Robertson, Chair of Transportation and Infrastructure, said:

"Senior individuals at CalMac consistently tell the people of Uist how difficult decisions to cancel services are and how hard they are working to find alternative solutions. However, in practice they consistently opt for the easy option with no evidence of thought or consideration for those effected. This timetable is evidence that there are solutions available to CalMac, solutions that they have either been unable to identify or been unwilling to action.

The people of Uist cannot wait for new ferries, structural reform or a change of approach from CalMac the people of Uist need action now to reverse a decision that infringes on basic rights and will cause yet more financial and personal damage to this island community."