Campaign for South Uist “missing link” ferry 22/2/12
A campaign to introduce a much needed shorter ferry service between South Uist and the mainland is seeking the support of all businesses and islanders.
The lack of a direct service from Lochboisdale to Mallaig is a significant issue on South Uist.
The shorter voyage could provide a daily service and slash the time of the present seven hour voyage from Oban in half.
Islanders say it would create a much need economic boost, help the tourism and fish-
Stephen Macaulay and Sarah Maceachan are behind the new Lochboisdale / Mallaig "Missing Link' campaign which wants the Scottish Government to formally accept that the shorter service is a necessity.
The organisers happen to be the younger members of community landlord body Storas Uibhist which is separately arguing for the Mallaig sea route.
The campaign wants the principle of establishing the "missing link" ferry route formally included in an official review which will determine what improvements are required for Scottish ferry services in the coming years.
It wants the principle of establishing the ferry route included in the ferry review which is presently under consultation. The ferry review will determine what improvements are required for future Scottish ferry services.
The Missing Link campaign has been stepped up recently after analysis of the Scottish Ferries Review Household Survey shows a starkly different picture of the community’s views to that claimed by Scottish Government.
South Uist households sent a clear message to the Scottish Government about improvements to the ferry service that would make them travel more often and actually showed the strongest demand for changes and improvements to their ferry service among Scotland’s Island communities.
The Scottish Government announced last week that they are looking to replace the Ali Cat passenger ferry on the Dunoon to Gourock route with a more capable vessel.
In addition, they have said that they will look again at the possibility of the re-
Stephen Macaulay said: “This news has come as a shock to our campaign. For years, our island communities have campaigned for the short ferry crossing direct from Lochboisdale to Mallaig, but our voices do not seem to be heard by our elected representatives as we continue to be ignored.
“While we are pleased to see that the residents of the Cowal peninsula have had their voices heard, we cannot hide our outrage at the seemingly unfair treatment of our island communities in the ongoing ferry issue.”
He added: “The Missing Link’ Campaign is compiling a list of all businesses that
support the introduction of the Lochboisdale-
A public meeting is being held on February 24th at 7:30pm in Daliburgh South End
Hall to demonstrate the strength of feeling within the community for the re-
Individuals are urged to immediately write to Colin Grieve, Transport Scotland, Ferries
Unit, Victoria Quay, Edinburgh EH6 6QQ, or colin.grieve@transportscotland.gsi.gov.uk,
stating their support for the introduction of the Lochboisdale-
The consultation period for the Ferries Review closes on March 30th, after which the Scottish Government will implement its ferry strategy based on the recommendation of the Ferries Review and any comments submitted to it.