Highlands and Islands MSP Jamie Halcro Johnston has said that the Small Isles (the Inner Hebrides islands of Eigg, Muck, Rum and Canna) are the latest victims of the SNP’s ferry fiasco which is affecting island communities across the north and west of Scotland.
The Scottish Conservative MSP said: “The news that CalMac relief vessels are encountering problems docking at the piers on Eigg and Muck only compounds the sense among our island communities that the ferry crisis is going from bad to worse. It’s clear from my inbox that local people have completely lost confidence in the ability of the Scottish Government to deliver them a secure and resilient lifeline service and are seeking solutions for themselves."
“We have seen the Harris Transport Forum demanding a dedicated ferry for its community because of the unreliability of the service, while among the solutions proposed for Mull was the acquisition of a catamaran from Indonesia. I fear that this is having a serious impact on jobs and livelihoods as businesses are left wondering if they can get their goods to market, or attract visitors given the current state of uncertainty about the service."
“The sad fact is that during their 14 years in office the SNP have comprehensively failed these communities by their inept handling of the ferry procurement programme and that has led directly to this crisis."
“It’s no wonder that many islanders are feeling angry and frustrated at the situation they find themselves in, through no fault of their own.”
More on this story here:
https://www.stornowaygazette.co.uk/business/harris-needs-dedicated-ferry-service-3267143
