► Ullapool linkspan closure questions
Cal Mac is to reopen its Ullapool to Stornoway booking facility from tomorrow.
The ferry firm stopped taking advance reservations for the summer season due to the uncertainty of completing works at both Stornoway and Ullapool harbours.
The move made it impossible for visitors to plan their holiday in 2015.
Some tourists cancelled plans to visit the Western Isles as a result it was said.
Cal Mac’s managing director, Martin Dorchester, said: “The ongoing delays in finalising dates for the harbour have also prevented us opening bookings.”
“But I am pleased to report that in light of the dates agreed at the taskforce meeting
we can now progress with this and the majority of the sailings -
Senior CalMac managers are due to be on Lewis this week to set out the timetable options with the Comhairle.
A finalised timetable will be published “as soon as possible” afterwards.
Mr Dorchester said the Ullapool linkspan replacement works will unavoidably add to journey times for people travelling with a vehicle.
He said: “However, we are providing significant extra capacity, so getting space should not be a problem except on a very few peak sailings.
“It is also important to stress that this is a temporary closure which will last five weeks and we should not lose sight of the fact that it will greatly improve reliability and resilience on this lifeline route for many years to come so is actually a very positive step forward.”
Cal Mac to reopen Stornoway booking system
20 January 2015