Council “bans” air service petition 3/3/13
A public petition to save the lifeline air service between Uist and Barra has been
banned from council-owned properties.
The Comhairle objects to islanders using its premises to campaign a different point
of view to its own.
A petition was removed from the Sgoil Lionacleit library after it was brought to
the council’s attention.
A council spokesman said it was removed as it is not appropriate to promote political
activity which conflicted with the council policy.
He stressed: “It is inappropriate to allow Comhairle facilities to be used in that
way.”
Councillors voted to abolished the Uist to Barra air link as part of the council’s
budget cuts.
It is understood the development may have raised tensions between islanders and the
five Uist members who voted in favour.
The council says getting rid of the Uist / Barra air service will save £148,000.
It says the link is underused and over subsidised.
The council is also poised to halve the number of onward flights from Benbecula to
Stornoway and Inverness.
Though the Barra - Benbecula service is designated a lifeline route, Western Isles
Council says it is not legally obliged to spend central government funding to continue
the service.
The petition is due to be presented to the Scottish Parliament Petitions Committee.
Staff at both Barra and Benbecula airport risk being affected by the cuts and may
face a reduced wage packet stemming from any fall in working hours.