SNP MSP Alasdair Allan has called for action to restore ferry service to Barra ISLANDERS are facing empty shop shelves and out of date food after a community has only had one ferry to its mainland ports in 10 days. An SNP MSP has called on the Scottish Government to intervene after islanders on Barra have faced a host of interruptions to lifeline ferry services, warning over economic and human impacts. CalMac, which operates the routes, has apologised after poor weather conditions and a string of repair works needed on vessels has meant Barra has gone 10 days with one one ferry run to Oban.
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The Scottish Government is being urged to consider chartering an extra vessel to help businesses in Barra which has gone ten days with just one ferry run to the mainland.
Western Isles MSP Alasdair Allan has highlighted the issue, caused by “inclement weather and poor fleet resilience”.
Mr Allan said the situation has left shops in Barra attempting to stock food via Eriskay, with perishables arriving days old. Other businesses, including seafood processors, are unable to ship fresh produce off the island on time.
Simply not good enough : Scots ministers lambasted for disdainful dismissal of inquiry s catastrophic ferry failure findings MINISTERS have been criticised for a disdainful dismissal of inquiry findings that showed a catastrophic failure in the procurement of two lifeline Scots ferries which have hampered by soaring costs and are subject to up to five years of delay. The convenor of a Scottish Parliamentary committee that produced the findings accused connectivity and islands secretary Paul Wheelhouse of ignoring concerns over the £45m in taxpayer loans to the Ferguson Marine shipyard made before its financial collapse in August, 2019 led to a state takeover.
Appalling : Ministers reject catastrophic failure conclusion of Scotland s lifeline ferry inquiry amidst soaring costs MINISTERS have rejected the catastrophic failure conclusion of an inquiry into the procurement of two lifeline Scots ferries which have hampered by soaring costs and up to five years of delay. Connectivity Secretary Paul Wheelhouse has hit back at the results of an extensive investigation by Holyrood s Rural Economy and Connectivity Committee insisting the government took balanced, informed decisions following appropriate diligence and independent advice and that securing hundreds of skilled jobs cannot represent failure. Scottish Liberal Democrat rural economy and connectivity committee member Mike Rumbles described it as an appalling response.