Sirs,
We are now coming into day three of being cut off from the rest of the Western Isles
without an operational Sound of Barra ferry. Without an inter island air service
as an alternative, businesses are facing a two hour journey between Lochboisdale
and Castlebay, when weather allows this relief service to run.
Following an important
meeting in Barra, council and health board officials are facing long convoluted journeys
to return to Stornoway, by air via Glasgow, or by sea via Lochboisdale or Oban
This
is the impact of having no alternative service by air from Barra to Benbecula and
Cal Mac having no relief ferry available to provide cover for the Sound of Barra.
The
success of the Sound of Barra service makes the impact of its withdrawal more severe
impacting on businesses, residents and officials in the course of their day to day
work.
As I write this there is no indication of a ferry coming back onto the Sound
of Barra service before Friday at the earliest. That is not acceptable for a public
transport service.
Jessie M MacNeil
Bruernish
Barra
Letter: Cut off from rest of Western Isles
7 March 2018