Communities let down by ferry issues

At their meeting held at Largs and Millport on April 19 and 20, the Community Board was unanimous in delivering a strong message to CalMac’s managing director, Robbie Drummond, and other members of the management team.

Overwhelmingly, the main concern was that measures being taken to deal with a recent vessel breakdown are failing to prevent major disruption bringing significant economic damage and having a detrimental impact on individual and family life. Cuts in timetabled sailings, deployment of vessels with inadequate capacities and inability to book even available space in some cases are all adversely impacting communities and the sustainability of businesses.

While the board recognised that CalMac has to operate with the resources available to it, there was huge frustration that, when at peak times and periods of full capacity, the service is at serious risk if even one vessel is out of action.

The board has offered to work positively with CalMac in formulating a plan, including more robust contingency and prioritisation measures, which will help to protect the lifeline services in the short, medium and longer term.

Areas such as fleet resilience, maintenance/dry docking, purchase/ charter of additional tonnage and crew transferability will all be included in the mix. Mr Drummond has accepted the offer and a small group of Community Board members has been identified to start working with CalMac, CMAL and Transport Scotland as soon as possible.

The board feels it can contribute a legitimate community perspective to future planning decisions that will affect the service and communities in the network.

Communications have also been a serious issue and it is important that not only should these be consistent but they must be informative and comprehensive and take into account the likely effects in all relevant communities. Again the Communities Board has offered assistance to CalMac in this area and this has been accepted.

The Communities Board is focused on working with CalMac, Transport Scotland, CMAL and other stakeholders to address weaknesses and to identify measures to initiate improvements in line with community expectations and needs. Angus Campbell, Chairman,

CalMac Community Board.