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.
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.