MSP steps in over Uig ferry row

HIGHLANDS and Islands MSP Rhoda Grant has stepped into the row over the Uig triangle ferry to demand that MV Hebrides returns to the route rather than covering other routes while those ferries are in dry dock.

The Hebrides, which normally covers the Uig/ Lochmaddy/ Tarbert run is in dry dock and is planned to be deployed as a cover vessel for other ferries while they undergo maintenance over the winter.

Mrs Grant has been told by constituents that the replacement ferries are not fit for purpose on the triangle route as they are smaller, so despite supposedly more sailings there is less space.

The sailings on the smaller ferries are also much more likely to be disrupted because of inclement weather.

Mrs Grant has been told that since the new timetable came into force on January 3 sailings have only gone to plan on two days and even these were running late.

She said: ‘On Sunday, constituents were given an hour’s notice of an extra sailing that day as it was viewed unlikely that the Monday morning boat would sail.

‘It did eventually sail at 5pm, but an hour’s notice of an alternative is insufficient time for anyone to prepare and then get to the ferry.

‘This is not only totally unacceptable for individuals but businesses cannot be expected to work on this basis.

‘The communities in Harris, North Uist and Uig want to have their boat back when it comes out of dry dock and, given that the MV Hebrides is normally the most reliable service to both Harris and North Uist, it creates chaos for everyone when it is disrupted.

‘I am writing to the SNP’s Transport Minister, and to CalMac, asking for the MV Hebrides to be reinstated on the Uig triangle as soon as it is out of dry dock.’