Stornoway space blast-off

Mixed views over Stornoway space blast-off 15/7/14

Western Isles Council is thought to have mixed feelings about Stornoway being selected as a possible spaceport.

The CAA report flags up that space flights carry risks.

A council insider said the local authority would be anxious to “know exactly what it means” for the island, particularly the danger to human life if a space plane crashed or exploded.

Regular passengers on Loganair flights to Inverness or Glasgow could face disruption as the report underlines construction work to extend the runway at Stornoway airport “could take several months to complete.”

Another significant worry for the council is that building houses or erecting wind turbines could be banned near the proposed spaceport or on the flight path.

Provided safety issues are addressed, Western Isles business leaders welcome the idea in principle.

Ian Fordham, chairman of the Outer Hebrides Tourism Industry Association (OHTIA), said it could bring extra business for the tourism trade.

Mr Fordham said: “This would be quite a coup for the Outer Hebrides if we had this facility on our patch.

“I think it could bring a significant number of visitors.“

Mr Fordham added; We would welcome anything that raises the profile of the Outer Hebrides and this would be a very positive move.”

He highlighted establishing a spaceport would be great for tourism and would “keep the Outer Hebrides firmly on the map.”

A crunch reason for selecting the eight potential spaceship aerodromes is because they are near the coast as construction materials and equipment will arrive by ships.

Building a spaceport has the added bonus of boosting Stornoway Port Authority struggle to develop a second ferry terminal to accommodate a roll-on roll-off freight ferry as well as providing vital back-up for the islands’ lifeline ferry service.

Jane Maciver, chief executive of the Stornoway Port Authority said: “This would bring more trade and more visitors to the island which then spreads the benefit beyond the harbour and amongst the local economy.”

“Every bit of trade coming in by sea helps sustain jobs here, like dockers and hauliers - its all money coming into the island.”

Ms Maciver said: “This would particularly help to get our masterplan for a second linkspan off the ground.”

► Stornoway proposed for space travel base

► Galactic flights carries risks