Stornoway needs a two-ferry solution
The call for a two-ferry solution on the Stornoway-Ullapool route has been revived in response to recent events and also in anticipation of massive additional demands from renewables developments.
Speaking after a period of disruption on the route, Torcuil Crichton MP said the patience of islanders was running out. He said: “Passengers and businesses have been in touch expressing their anger and frustration over cancellations and technical problems on the Stornoway route over the last few weeks.
“This is just a taste of what other constituents in Uist and Barra have endured for over two years, but it highlights the need for a proper strategy for the Stornoway route and for forward planning to build in resilience when things go wrong.”
Prior to the commissioning of the MV Loch Seaforth in 2013, there was a consensus within the island that the route would be most reliably served by two smaller vessels, providing a round the clock service and also giving cover to each other.
At that time, however, the Scottish Government opted for a Public Private Partnership with Lloyds Bank to build the ferry, which dictated the use of a single, larger vessel.
Mr Crichton said: “There is a clear and urgent need for a proper ferry strategy and with the massive increase in commercial traffic expected from the renewables sector it is time for the CalMac and CMAL to commit to a two-ferry solution for Stornoway.”
He said that island businesses have been “tearing their hair out” and quoted one which told him: ‘Staff, materials, clients, subcontractors and essential goods are continually disrupted. Projects are delayed, costs rise unpredictably, and confidence in the islands as a place to invest or grow is being eroded”.
The ’Loch Seaforth’ arrived back in Stornoway harbour from Leith on Tuesday and was due to resume service as we went to press.
Meanwhile, CalMac have moved quickly to kill off a suggestion floated by Alasdair Allan MSP that the MV Hebrides might be deployed to offer support on the Castlebay-Oban route if MV Isle of Lewis continues to experience difficulties.
There was some consternation in Harris and North Uist when the MSP posted on Facebook: “I am told CalMac are examining options such as MV Hebrides stopping in at Castlebay on certain runs.”
However, CalMac area manager, David Hamill, responded with a message to local stakeholders: “You may have seen a social media post on Facebook which references that CalMac would look at options to supplement the Oban-Castlebay route should MV Isle of Lewis return to the area under the current MCA safety case that allows only 30 cars to be carried. This part is true.
“The post referenced CalMac using MV Hebrides as an option and I would like to clarify that this is not accurate. MV Hebrides is staying on the Little Minch services and will not be moved to supplement Barra services. We will continue to update on timelines of MV Isle of Lewis ongoing repair and her return to full carrying capacity”.