Call for inter-island service to be reinstated

INTER-ISLAND air services are a critical part of Scotland’s transport network and must be restored, said Na h-Eileanan an Iar MP Angus MacNeil.

Mr MacNeil is calling for the budget for inter-island flights to be returned to the Scottish Government to safeguard future services for island communities.

Comhairle nan Eilean Siar has appointed consultants, at a cost of more than £10,000, to look at whether they should reinstate the Stornoway to Benbecula air service to five days a week, a service which was reduced to three days because of cost- cutting in 2013.

Mr MacNeil said not only should the Stornoway to Benbecula service be extended from three days to five, but that the link between Benbecula and Barra should also resume.

He said: ‘Inter-island air services are a critical part of Scotland’s transport network. The comhairle cut this service to save money and made no effort to mitigate this vandalism of the transport service.

‘Those having to travel through the islands for hospital appointments now face a long and disconnected journey where bus and ferry services do not flow. Because of the lack of inter-island flights, on some days it is currently faster to get to Edinburgh, London or Brussels than from one end of the Hebrides to the other.’

Mr MacNeil added: ‘ Even if after spending thousands on a consultation flights are reinstated, there can be no assurance the council will not cut them again.

‘That’s why the service would be more secure if the budget was returned to the Scottish Government.’