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Transport minister Keith Brown has been urged to convene an urgent meeting over fears that Lewis will end up with a worse ferry service despite the building of a new, bigger £42 million ship for the Stornoway to Ullapool route.

In September, a single modern 116 metre vessel - the MV Loch Seaforth - is due to replace the present two ferries - MV Isle of Lewis and the dedicated freight ship, MV Clipper Ranger.

In December, Hebrides News revealed that peak sailings are set to be cut as the new ferry will have to carry large articulated lorries and haulage trucks presently handled by the dedicated freight boat on a nightly run to the mainland.

Lewis may only get three sailings a day instead of four during the busy summer period - a move which angers councillors, tourism providers and the haulage industry.

Many travellers are turned away at present as they cannot get space onboard ferries highlights says the Outer Hebrides Tourism Industry Association (OHTIA) which demands more sailings, not less.

Nearly every day in July last year saw the Stornoway ferry fully booked according to an OHTIA survey.

Locals now have to reserve space in advance if they want to get to the mainland, it has been repeatedly reported to council meetings.

Since the Hebrides News revelation the Comhairle has been pressing Transport Scotland over the issue.

The council want the new ferry to continue the four peak summer runs plus retain a freight ship.

The council wants the transport minister to agree to an urgent meeting where ferry operator Cal Mac, vessel-owning firm CMAL, transport civil servants Stornoway Port Authority, Ullapool Harbour Trustees and Highlands and Isles Enterprise as well as the council would get round the table to thrash out the issues.

Representatives from island businesses, hauliers, tourism services must also be there so the minister can hear “first-hand, the concerns and views of people who will be affected.”

Council leader Angus Campbell, stated: “We have voiced our concerns on numerous occasions about a forecasted lack of capacity on ferry services between Stornoway and Ullapool following the introduction of the MV Loch Seaforth and the discontinuation of the combination of the MV Isle of Lewis and the MV Clipper Ranger, in particular during the summer months.

“We feel that more needs to be done to secure an additional vessel to augment the capacity of the MV Loch Seaforth, and we hope that the transport minister sees it fit to bring all major shareholders round one table to discuss these issues.”

 

“Worse ferry service” despite £42 million new ship            27/6/14

July 2017