Western Isles plane service criticism

Western Isles Council should not be trusted with the budget for the vital inter-island air services, says MPAngus MacNeil.

Comhairle not to be trusted with inter-island plane service, says MP

5 August 2016

The council "vandalised" the plane links by "raiding" the budget and cutting flights between Stornoway, Uist and Barra, he said.

Despite widespread community condemnation, the council abolished the lifeline Benbecula - Barra air service. All inter-island travel out of Barra is now by ferry which causes problems for many, including hospital patients.

Also under attack was the connecting Stornoway -Benbecula route - slashed to just three trips a week.

Such action shows the comhairle had "no respect to their own outlying communities," said the MP.

Angus Macneil says the budget for the inter-island flights needs to be taken off the council and be returned to the Scottish Government to "safeguard future services" for island communities.

Comhairle nan Eilean Siar is paying consultants over £10,000 to look at the possibility of reinstating a proper service.

Mr Macneil said “The comhairle should not be left with control of the money for inter-island air services which they have raided and pocketed, money that is there to connect Benbecula with the main administrative centre in Stornoway and as an extension of that to connect Barra.

“The Comhairle cut this service to save money and made no effort to mitigate this vandalism of the transport service.

"Those having to travel through the islands for hospital appointments, for study etc now face a long and disconnected journey where bus and ferry services do not flow."

Mr Macneil added: “Due to the lack of inter-island flights, the fact is that on some days it is currently faster to get to Edinburgh, London or Brussels than from one end of the Hebrides to the other.”

“And even if after spending thousands of pounds on a consultation to consider whether the brutal cut to flight services in 2013 was an error and flights are reinstated, there can be no assurance that the council will not decide to cut them again.

"That’s why I am of the view that the service would be more secure if the budget was returned to the Scottish Government.”