Council air services

Sir,

I have to say I am astonished at the reaction and comments from the council regarding the air services to the Western Isles of late. I have every sympathy with the passengers dealing with delays and cancellations and can understand the frustrations involved. I have experienced this on a regular basis myself but unfortunately that comes with all forms of travel to the islands these days, not just flights.

It seems that as soon as certain parts of these islands become affected by disruption there is a major push for change, yet when the Southern Isles in particular experience delays or cancellations for all modes of transport the silence is deafening from Sandwick Road.

There is talk of a feasibility study into a Highlands and Islands' airline to serve the islands air link with some form of control coming from the council. This sounds good in theory but given their recent track record with air services this is the last thing that I would want.

This council recently removed inter-island flights between Barra and Benbecula completely and reduced the Benbecula to Stornoway to a three-day week. If this airline did come to fruition and there was a budget shortfall who would be the first to be affected? Barra and Vatersay would be a good bet.

A council exists to provide "local" services; that's what it is funded with taxpayer money to do, yet, it axes local services, keeps the money and wants to open services with other island councils. It is truly staggering.

Steve Wilson

Castlebay,

Isle of Barra

Letter: Comhairle's bad record on island air services

11 January 2016