Grasping the nettle
Sir,
It is clear the vast majority of people have adhered to the lockdown guidelines and our island has so far been mercifully spared the worst of this awful pandemic. I am thankful we have been so fortunate.
But we must start looking towards the future. A national poll commissioned by the BBC and published this week found that 42 per cent of Scots would likely take their holidays in Scotland from now on. We must work hard to ensure Arran receives its fair share of that 42 per cent.
The CalMac drawbridge will have to be lifted at some point. The challenge for us all is to make sure we are ready. It will only work successfully if there is proper consultation and a reasonable consensus can be reached.
So what is our specific plan for Arran? Our island community must start to have the sensible conversation about how we can once again welcome visitors while keeping everyone safe. That conversation must be open to and inclusive of everyone – residents, second home owners, businesses large or small, visitors, medics and transport companies and their staff.
In putting together a plan that allows us to open for business safely, the experiences of those who have remained open throughout this difficult period should be shared so we can all learn how best we can maintain the safety and health of everyone, while keeping the businesses we all need afloat. This process may give us all greater confidence to maintain our island economy and keep the best of what makes Arran so special.
Amid so much uncertainty, we need to be ready for what might come next and, with the government having now issued its route map to emerge from lockdown, that discussion must start now so we can create a new way of doing things here that works for everyone.
It is not enough for CalMac to be expected to drastically reduce ferry services or prevent people booking. If anything, we will need more sailings not fewer, to allow for continued physical distancing on board. We need to plan for the future now so our island is not placed at an unfair disadvantage. It is obvious such a public consultation during the continued lockdown is also challenging when a public meeting or similar is impossible right now.
Who among us will have the courage to grasp this particular nettle for the future of our island community in these extraordinary times?
Yours, Helena Paul, Whiting Bay.