Form of internment
Sir,
For younger readers, it was in 1975, following an earlier ferry debacle, ‘Caledonian McBrayneless’ was immortalised by the late cartoonist and banjo player Malky McCormick ... and here we are again.
In implementing its decision to extend its ‘essential timetables’ till the end of June at least, CalMac claims to be taking its lead from the Scottish government and Transport Scotland.
Presumably, therefore, CalMac is not solely to blame for the draconian measures its staff have been asked to employ to keep islanders safe, not only from others but from themselves, by requiring the submission of written proof of the necessity to travel, residency qualification – whatever that is – before boarding is permitted.
As a consequence, a form of internment has been imposed on Arran residents, whether permanent or temporary, accidentally or otherwise, which arguably breaches their human rights, at least as the European Court of Justice might see it. So desperate are some to circumvent these procedures, they have resorted to escape ploys, albeit less imaginative than those famous wartime successes at Colditz and Stalag Luft III.
Given the times we live in, one could probably overlook such heavy-handedness and woeful public relations, but this triumvirate has form. Together they are responsible for the appalling and still deteriorating ferry service which, over the winter, plumbed new depths in terms of cancellations as a result of mechanical breakdown and restricted manoeuvrability in bad weather. The primary vessel should already have been withdrawn from service but labours on with no prospect of replacement on the horizon.
The incomprehensible procurement solution is to persevere on the same course with a nationalised shipyard, bankrupted by a dispute over the escalating cost of the new vessel, the original design of which was rendered unfit for purpose by the construction of a new ferry terminal, which has its own short-comings, necessitating a major structural alteration.
The cunning plan is to throw good money after bad and sprinkle on some magic dust. Meanwhile, the silence on the anticipated date of delivery of the new ferry continues to thunder.
However, maybe these three bodies, which ultimately have the same parent and appear to mark their own homework, are smarter than we think. The Machiavellian explanation to all of the above is that, if the current lockdown
procedures are kept in place for the next two years, the Scottish Government, Transport Scotland and CalMac need not worry about carrying more passengers, implementing a summer timetable or apologising for breakdowns, as it will have few customers. It is about time the cloak of anonymity is cast off and those responsible for CalMac policy in the Scottish government and Transport Scotland are named, held accountable and compelled to reveal how they will resolve this ferry crisis.
Robbie Drummond of CalMac should not have to take all the flak and, instead, could devote his spare time to devising a plan-B, as no one else seems to have one.
Yours, Downie Brown, Whiting Bay.