Highlands and Islands MSP Donald Cameron has said that the ferry crisis which is afflicting communities across his region is going “from bad to worse” and that he is being bombarded with messages from islanders furious about the situation.
The Scottish Conservative MSP said: “The updates I am receiving from local people about the impact of the crisis are extremely worrying. For instance, the withdrawal of the Hebridean Isles from serving Islay is proving disastrous for the island at what should be a very busy time."
“Local businesses, which were just beginning to recover from the impact of Covid, are suffering from multiple cancellations as it is impossible for their customers and suppliers to get on and off the island. This crisis is going from bad to worse. No wonder islanders are so furious."
“Hardworking staff at CalMac are unfairly taking the brunt of criticism but this ongoing fiasco has been caused by 14 years of neglect from an SNP Government which failed to plan ahead and ensure that modern fit-for-purpose ferries are available for these lifeline routes."
“This is the same SNP Government which is presiding over a situation where its state-owned shipyard failed to gain a contract from its state-owned ferry company to build a state-funded ferry. You really couldn’t make it up.”