Councillors vote against Barra plane service 5/2/14
Island councillors have blocked a move which could have reinstated the lifeline Barra
plane service they axed last year.
On Wednesday, the council’s transport committee voted against engaging with Transport
Scotland, Loganair and regional transport authority Hitrans to get the Barra plane
flying to Uist again
Though the Scottish Government is spending around £5 million on two new-built Twin
Otter planes designed to land on Barra’s unique beach runway, the council controversially
cut the inter-island air services.
The council says the plane link to Benbecula was underused. The cut saves about £148,000.
Western Isles health board had refused to capitulate to a council ultimatum to pay
a large chunk of the subsidy.
The NHS made it clear it had absolutely no intention of diverting money for sick
patients to help bail out the council funding problems issues.
It pointed out the council gets government funding to run transport services.
At the transport committee meeting, SNP councillor John A Maciver’s motion to reinstate
explore ways of restarting the Barra to Uist air link was defeated.
Neither did the committee go with his call to look at funding options to reinstate
all inter-island air services.
However, it was agreed to engage with Transport Scotland, Loganair and regional transport
authority Hitrans to try and improve the Glasgow to Barra service and to upgrade
the Stornoway - Uist links to a five day service.