With concern over continuing delays to the replacement pier and ferry in Lochboisdale, South Uist Business Impact Group (SUBIG) today met the chief executives of CalMac and Caledonian Maritime Assets Ltd (Cmal), and David Torres, a representative from Transport Scotland.
The group has called upon the Scottish Government to agree at a cross party level that island communities should not be reliant on a particular party for core infrastructure.
Lochboisdale’s decaying pier infrastructure received an temporary upgrade two years ago, extending its life until 2027 when a planned replacement was previously expected to be in use.
However, delays mean the new berth will not be ready until at least 12 months beyond this timescale.
Funding permission remains withheld preventing the pier project from proceeding. If approved at the next consideration date in 2025, the revised expected date for commencement of operations from a new Lochboisdale ferry terminal is 2028.
According to SUBIG, Kevin Hobbs of Cmal promised his organisation would do what it could to keep the structure open until the new pier opens, but here is always the risk it might not.
Mr Hobbs revealed ground investigation work for the pier is on hold until next year. Tenders are due to be invited shortly with the investigation survey taking two months.
Even if the Scottish Government finally approves funding, contracts are unlikely
to be signed until mid-2026 with the pier not entering operation until 2028 - a year
on the wrong side of the current structure’s life expectancy.
Meanwhile, South Uist’s 35-year-old vessel, MV Lord of the Isles (Loti), is already
a decade past its sell-by date with regular recent breakdowns heightening concern
over the route’s reliability warns SUBIG.
Responding to concern over the ferry recently breaking down three times in three days, including a fire in the engine room that put it out of action for over two weeks, and reports that crew required reassurance before setting to sea again, Duncan Mackison, CalMac’s acting chief executive, said he was “comfortable” with repair protocols, noting that the fire had been discussed by his board of directors at its latest meeting.
A design for the new vessel to replace the Loti has been signed-off though funding
awaits the Scottish Government’s go-ahead.
Mary Schmoller, chair of South Uist community landowner Storas Uist, said: “The Scottish Government have let us down yet again.
“Constant delays to the new pier and ferry projects mean business prospects and livelihoods on the island are under ever more strain. We demand swift approval of the new ferry port and ferry.”
She added: “Independent economic impact reports have shown that our island economy loses millions of pounds each month the ferry doesn’t run.
“That’s taxable income lost which might otherwise have helped pay for a better ferry service.
“We are pleased that Kevin, Duncan and David took the trouble to meet local businesses, respond to our concerns, and explain their next steps.
“Island businesses will be watching developments closely.
“Transport infrastructure is vital to any economy and the Scottish Government has a responsibility to its citizens”.
Stephen Peteranna, chief executive of the Isles Hotel Group warned many companies are unwilling to work on the islands as the current unreliability of ferry transport means they risk significant losses.
“How are we to grow the island economy when the Scottish Government doesn’t provide the necessary transport infrastructure?”
Meanwhile, Duncan Mackison pledged significant improvements to CalMac’s much belagured ticketing system which has overwhelming failed to impress countless numbers of passengers.
Introduced only 18 months ago at a cost of £14 million, the new system fell chaotically
short of CalMac’s triumphant rhetoric, receiving a barrage of complaints, especially
when ferries listed as “full” steamed out of harbour with a third of their deck-space
empty.
Confidently hailed as an “exciting project (to) revolutionise the way in which CalMac
interacts with customers, providing a “workable user friendly system” for passengers
continues to be a work-in-progress which Mackison is said to have pledge to be achieved
next summer.
Assurances demanded over delayed replacement of Lochboisdale pier and ferry
13 September 2024
