No go to direct Lochboisdale ferry 22/12/11
The Scottish Government has knocked back giving a commitment to introduce a direct Lochboisdale to Mallaig ferry.
Islanders say the shorter, three hour crossing on a dedicated vessel would be a boost to the South Uist economy and a vast improvement on the seven hour voyage to Oban.
Presently the Clansman is the main vessel on the route but she calls at Castlebay on in and outbound sailings.
The government’s Scottish ferries review points out that South Uist travellers have ready road access to the main Uist ferry route from Lochmaddy which offers a shorter crossing to Skye.
It says its household survey showed that 52% South Uist residents are happy with the ferry going to Oban.
However, some 42 per cent were not satisfied with Oban as their mainland port while 6% said the destination port was not important.
The report says: “We have considered whether a Mallaig to Lochboisdale service could become the principal route for the Uists and Benbecula.
“We believe that given the shorter crossing between Lochmaddy and Uig, and the easier access to this service by a greater proportion of the Western Isles population, that it is correct that Lochmaddy to Uig remains the principal route for the Uists and Benbecula.
The report authors accepted the “strength of feeling held by some of the South Uist community. We will further consider the economic viability of this proposed service in the context of other planned improvements to services to, and within, the Western Isles.”
The findings of the review are out to public consultation.