MSPs voice anger over CalMac poor planning

MSPS ACROSS the parties have rounded on CalMac, warning of a ‘summer of discontent’ for passengers because of the ferry shortage and ‘extremely poor forward planning’.

The loss of a single major vessel, the MV Clansman, for longer repairs has caused knock-on disruptions across the Clyde and Hebrides network, stretching the ageing fleet to capacity.

Argyll and Bute’s SNP MSP Michael Russell said the breakdown and ‘what many people on the islands believe is a badly planned re-fit timetable’ has caused ‘a dramatic diminution of service at a crucial time’.

‘These difficulties are threatening the financial health and the future prospects of some of the most economically vulnerable places in Scotland. No wonder there is considerable anger.

‘CalMac’s current problems are problems of success. More people than ever use the ferry services and RET, along with an increase in routes, has greatly increased demand. Until the two new vessels come on stream there will be pressure on an aging fleet – even though it is this Scottish Government that re-started the process of adding to that fleet after a long period of stagnation. But the current situation is not tolerable and must be rectified. I have long argued for the lease or purchase of another vessel from elsewhere, but the company has argued nothing can be found.

Highlands and Islands MSP Donald Cameron (Con) also accused CalMac of ‘extremely poor forward planning’ and pitting communities against each other in competition for ferries.

‘Warm words about ferry consultations will not provide communities with the reassurance they need,’ he said.

Meanwhile Scottish Labour warned of a ‘summer of discontent’. The Shadow Cabinet Secretary for Rural Economy and Connectivity Colin Smyth said: ‘It is astonishing even government-owned CalMac has now broken ranks and its silence by declaring the fleet is under-invested and that half of the fleet is well past its 25-year life expectancy. Incredulously CalMac has warned of ‘significant breakdown risk’ with no contingency in place to deal with that situation. Yet still the SNP, at a local level and a government level, do nothing.’

Green MSP John Finnie revealed figures in Holyrood ‘showing there were 3,852 cancellations on CalMac services in the last five years, caused as a result of mechanical failure. This number is completely unacceptable’.

‘The Scottish Government’s own documents acknowledge there needs to be wide scale replacement of the existing CalMac fleet, and our island communities are crying out for more reliable services,’ he said.