Taskforce set to take charge of troubled £70m ferry service
A GOVERNMENT taskforce has been set up to oversee completion of a controversial ferry project that has been dogged by delays.
A new ferry, the MV Loch Seaforth, is waiting to sail on the Ullapool to Stornoway route at a total cost to taxpayers of nearly £70million
The vessel was commissioned by the Scottish Government in June 2012 and it was hoped it would be operating by July 2014. But after construction delays in Germany, the 380ft ferry was launched only in March last year. Now hold-ups in construction and infrastructure work in Stornoway on Lewis and Ullapool, Ross- shire, mean the project is well behind schedule.
Operator Caledonian MacBrayne yesterday said work at Ullapool had been pushed back to April 20.
Announcing the new taskforce, Minister for Transport and Islands Derek Mackay said: ‘I share in the frustration of the local communities who have been affected by the delays. The Scottish Government is investing £42million in the MV Loch Seaforth, £17million in the infrastructure works at Ullapool Harbour and £9.6million in the works at Stornoway Harbour.
‘Once complete, these facilities will provide real improvements for commuters and the communities served. I will chair the first meeting myself, with Transport Scotland officials leading subsequent meetings. This is not about apportioning blame but pulling all parties together to see this project through to its finish.’
The taskforce will include representatives of Transport Scotland, Stornoway Port Authority, Ullapool Harbour Trust, Caledonian Maritime Assets, CalMac and Western Isles Council.
But Western Isles Nationalist MP Angus MacNeil criticised the ‘haphazard’ nature of the scheme, which locals had hoped would be fully operational by July. He said a postponement of some work coinciding with a busy time for ferries, should be considered. ‘The new start date of April 20 for the works at Ullapool will include all of May and some of June,’ he said. ‘Really, can the island economy take this – and then there are still no guarantees when this work will finish. It is very concerning.’
A vehicle-carrying service will run between Stornoway and Uig on Skye while the work at Ullapool is ongoing. A passenger-only service will operate between Stornoway and Ullapool during this period.
CalMac said this offered ‘ by far the best service’ for people impacted by the works.