Reprieve sought for island commercial ferry scheme 3/10/11
A threatened Western
Isles commercial fare scheme on inter-
The hugely successful trade initiative received an 11th hour reprieve last year. The local authority had threatened to axe it when money ran out.
Without the scheme business users have to fork out 40% more for lorries on the ferries linking Harris and North Uist as well as Barra to Eriskay.
It has created vital jobs and supported local commerce in fragile areas.
Salmon farming, construction and shellfish firms heavily use the scheme while it has allowed Stag Bakeries in Stornoway and Macgillivray’s of Benbecula to expand.
The ferry initiative helped businesses like Hebridean Seaweed, Polybox, Macinnes
Brothers, and Macaulay Askernish forge long-
Last year, it emerged that one business gained a 50% increase in sales while another created 18 new jobs, mainly in remoter districts.
But budgets for other economic projects may be raided if the scheme is to be saved
unless the Scottish Government includes the inter-
In a report for Western Isles Council, economic development officer Norman Maclean revealed only £14,000 was left in the budget. This would keep it going until Spring.
He highlighted: “Given the undoubted benefits of the scheme, there would appear to be excellent justification for its continuation.“