Ferry restrictions

Heavier tour coaches and lorries face restrictions on using the inter-island ferries due to weight limits and the risk of getting stuck on the ramp.

But fears that the tour coach industry's move towards using six-wheeled buses may hit the Western Isles' tourism trade has prompted a study into the issues.

Larger multi-axle vehicles are not allowed on the Sound of Barra and the Sound of Harris ferries.

It follows an incident where a mainland-based tour coach arrived on Barra from Oban. The operator booked a 12 metre twin-axle coach for onward travel on the Sound of Barra ferry to South Uist. But they turned up with a longer tri-axle coach instead.

The longer vehicles risk being too heavy for the deck loading limits on top of the likelihood of getting stuck on the ship's ramp while manoeuvring from a sloped slipway.

Cal Mac now makes the point of advising all coach

operators that these bigger six-wheeled buses cannot be carried on the inter-island routes.

Larger vehicles face restrictions on inter-island ferries

29 November 2015

The issue may also affect construction projects which need to move larger HGV vehicles from one island to another.

The Comhairle's transport committee was told local companies could be disadvantaged in tendering for island building contracts.

Councillors were given an example of the expensive logistical headache of moving very large vehicles or equipment from the Uists to Barra.

Instead of a 40 minute trip, it would necessary to first travel from Lochboisdale to Mallaig - or from Lochmaddy to Uig - by ferry, then from Mallaig or Uig to Oban by road, and then from Oban to Castlebay by ferry.

Its has been proposed a multi-agency group investigate any options.

The Comhairle, Cal Mac, Transport Scotland and representatives from the tourism, haulage and construction sectors are set to meet over the issue.