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Council votes against Barra plane service       17/2/14

 

Western Isles councillors have again affirmed the abolishment of the lifeline Barra plane service.

 

The council voted against a move to open talks with regional transport authority Hitrans, airline Loganair and Transport Scotland over ways to reinstate the flights.

 

At its full meeting on Thursday night, councillors blocked a move by John A Maciver to restore the flights which were axed last year to save £148,000.

 

Council leader Angus Campbell said there was no written evidence to show that the absence of the planes had any effect on the Barra economy or affected health patients.

 

Instead, islanders wanted improvements on the air route to the Glasgow, he suggested.

In any case, the council didn’t have money to provide the service though it agreed to set £72,000 aside to improve the Benbecula to Stornoway air service.

Councillor John A Maciver commented: "It is disappointing that at a time when there is a great deal of effort going on to gain more Independence for our Islands, in the Our Islands our Future Campaign, the administration are not able to support the Barra to Benbecula air service."

"Surely the needs and concerns of our own people should be paramount and that includes all our Islands. Sadly this does not seem to involve the good folk of Barra and Vatersay".

"At a time when the Boundaries Commission are looking at reorganising boundaries, and there is a desire to reduce the number of councillors, maybe it is time, as has been suggested in some quarters already, for the people of Barra and Vatersay to go elsewhere, i.e. Argyll and Bute, given their historic connections to Oban.

"We wouldn't wish them to go, but I for one wouldn't blame them even if it did mean our financial support being cut by the reduction in population due to such an outcome.”

Councillors who vote for reinstatement were David Blaney, Ronnie Mackinnon, Donald Manford, Donnie Steele, Neil Beaton, Philip McLean, Rae Mackenzie, Gordon Murray, John A Maciver and Kenny Macleod.