Comhairle transport record

Sir,

The letter "Hot air" over plane services dated 10 January contains a number of factually incorrect points raised which require to be addressed.

In the face of significant competing priorities and a challenging financial climate, and based on the outcomes of a comprehensive review of the inter-island air services and budget consultations with communities across the Western Isles, including in Barra, the Comhairle decided to discontinue the Benbecula-Barra service (which operated with an average of 3/4 passengers, many of whom were visitors enjoying the experience of the beach landing, at a subsidy of around £80 per person) and to reduce the frequency of the Stornoway-Benbecula service to three days per week.

The Comhairle continues to subsidise fully the Stornoway-Benbecula air service at an annual cost of some £260k. This is entirely discretionary and is undertaken through a Public Service Obligation (PSO) which involves all aspects of the service, including timetables, fare levels and service standards, being set by the Comhairle and being tendered on the open market. The current contract with Loganair runs until the end of March 2017.

Feedback from the consultation processes did indicate stronger support for the Glasgow-Barra connection and, in light of this, the Comhairle, in collaboration with HITRANS, HIE and Transport Scotland, funded additional return flights between Glasgow and Barra for summer 2014 and summer 2015. The purpose of this was to demonstrate to Scottish Ministers, who are responsible for the Glasgow-Barra service through a PSO, that there was a real and sustainable demand for a greater number of flights than that under the previous service. This trial was a success in that the high uptake of these additional services convinced Scottish Ministers to provide the additional services through the PSO for the term of the new contract which now runs until October 2019.

Our communities remain concerned at the air services currently being provided for the islands and therefore there is justification to undertake a feasibility study to allow for extensive discussion on all the options available. There is a problem in the number of delays and cancellations being experienced and there needs to be a long term strategy to provide improved services. The first meeting of the islands' transport forum, which resulted from the Our Islands: Our Future campaign, takes place this week where we can examine these issues and look at a way forward. One of the options which would be worth exploring would be whether island councils can be more involved in running air services; whether or not that would be through the running of the services is also a matter for discussion.

The Comhairle continues to lobby for better transport connectivity to and from all our islands and has made representation to the Scottish Government making very clear that the performance of Loganair has not been at an acceptable level and that the Comhairle should have a role in the strategic review of performance. This would be appropriate as part of the efforts to give real powers not only to the Comhairle but to to island communities to improve services in their communities as part of the ‘Our Islands Our Future’ initiative.

It is also absolutely incorrect to say that nothing has been done with regards to the ferry services to and from the islands. The Comhairle has lobbied strongly for improvements to ferry services to the Uists and Barra and, as an example, directly supported, in discussions with Scottish Ministers, civil servants at Transport Scotland and CalMac the enhancements to the routes between Mallaig-Lochboisdale and Oban from summer 2016. An enhanced timetable has been proposed for the summer – including a daily direct return service between Lochboisdale-Mallaig using a dedicated vessel in addition to a daily direct return service between Oban-Barra with a dedicated vessel, delivering a considerable increase in capacity.

The Comhairle also played a part in the establishment of the Mallaig-Lochboisdale trial service over the last three winters. The Comhairle, as one of the key stakeholders on the Hebrides and Argyll Ferry Users Groups and on the Islands' Transport Forum, continues to act as an effective conduit to Scottish Ministers, Transport Scotland and CalMac.

The Comhairle remains committed to providing the best possible services throughout all our islands and will continue to consult communities on the best way forward with all aspects of service delivery.

Angus Campbell,

Leader,

Comhairle nan Eilean Siar,

Sandwick Road,

Stornoway

Letter: Comhairle justifies record on transport

12 January 2016