Proposed savings are unfair for Jura

Sir,

I was dismayed to read that the Argyll and Bute consultation on money-saving schemes specifically singles out the community of Jura to bear the costs of proposed additional ferry fare increases, as one potential source of additional funds. Jura is a success story in terms of new businesses, new opportunities and a rising primary school roll, but with no mainland link, we depend on our ferry connection to Islay for everything.

This short, lifeline crossing, operated by skilful and dedicated crews, already bears the dubious honour of having among the highest fares per kilometre of any crossing in Europe. Fares have gone up substantially more than inflation for at least the past decade, notably with a 35 per cent increase in one single blow, when residents’ discounts were abruptly withdrawn in 2010.

Furthermore, since centralising much of Jura’s service provision through Islay was a key part of a previous money-saving plan, raising revenue through the necessity of residents gaining access to such essentials as eye tests, dental care, high school parents’ meetings and hospital appointments makes this is a particularly unjustifiable proposal.

We simply have no alternative. It’s like proposing a Jura-only tax.

Finally, to invite nearly 90,000 Argyll and Bute residents to be able to have a say about a potentially damaging measure which would only affect a vulnerable community of 200 souls is unjust and unethical - for them and for us.

Any ‘service choice’ for cutting budgets should be borne across the entire community or not at all. It would be profoundly unfair – and morally unthinkable – for me or my neighbours to make choices which would have a detrimental effect on community services which would only impact on, say, Campbeltown or Lochgilphead.

Nevertheless, this consultation offers a very similar opportunity for residents living in Helensburgh or Oban, or anywhere else, to influence a lifeline ferry service for distant, out-of-sight and out-of-mind Jura. Philip Kitching, Inverlussa, Jura.