Labour MSP hits back at lack of ferry funding

11th November 2021

Transport Minister Graeme Dey MSP did nothing to allay concerns from Hebridean communities about the current threat to their 2022 Summer ferry service following initial questioning by Highlands and Islands Labour MSP Rhoda Grant and SNPs Alasdair Allan on Thursday.

It was revealed this week that CalMac are being forced to consult on a reduction to their 2022 ferry timetable in both Harris and Lochmaddy due to a significant lack of resource from Scottish Government.

Increased demand on the Skye to Tarbert route throughout 2021 has meant that the mezzanine deck on the MV Hebrides is having to be routinely deployed, leading to increased strain on the staffing resources and frequent knock on delays.

The solution offered in the consultation is to reduce sailings to allow the crew more time to load and unload the mezzanine deck on the sailings the vessel does run.

In her question in the Chamber Rhoda Grant MSP pointed out that this would remove a sailing from a Saturday, the traditional change over day for tourism businesses which are heavily relied on in Harris.

Mrs Grant said: "The Minister will be aware that one of the services being cut is on a Saturday which is traditionally a change over day for the tourism business meaning that that change over cannot take place. If the issue is crewing will he allow CalMac to employ further crew so that the ferry can run more often allowing change over to happen?"

Graeme Dey, Transport Minister who has final authority over CMAL and Transport Scotland, the resource bodies for CalMac replied: "These are options that are being considered and we are aware that CalMac continue to engage with the local council on these matters and I would encourage the local council to also involve the local transport forum in these discussions to see if they can arrive at a satisfactory conclusion."

In a previous answer to Alasdair Allan MSP, Mr Dey had admitted that if the community did not want a reduction in timetable then the only other option for them was for the mezzanine deck to not be utilised regularly.

Following the confrontation Mrs Grant said, "It's blackmail for the community pure and simple: they are being told by the man that holds the transport purse strings that they either have to accept less ferries at their most important time of year and day of the week, or not use their asset to it's full capacity. It beggars belief!

"I have lost count of how many times I and the communities have told Scottish Government the service is strained and needs expanding to meet demand - and over a period of years - this is not news to them. And still the refuse to commit the necessary funding to properly staff the existing service - let alone meet the increasing demand and requirement for planning.

"Mr Dey's answer to me made it clear that he has no interest in giving CalMac it's required funding. If there was ever a clearer statement of the SNP's lack of interest in the Scottish Islands I haven't seen it. Mr Dey claims that the community will be listened too, but it's not a real choice they have been given - it’s the illusion of one. The community has made it’s voice heard time and time again - increase ferry investment, capacity and service: allow us the opportunity to thrive and they haven’t been listened too. No wonder they are concerned this consultation will count for nothing!"

There would appear to be little push to get things doe in relation to the ferries problem. Unbelievably The Scottish Ferries Review started in 2009 and continues. Take a look at Scottish Ferries Plan to see just how things have strung out for 12 years.

The ferries on the west coast and to the islands are growing old and recent news has not brought much hope. The two new ferries debacle continues as the boats still are under construction at the former Ferguson yard with costs having more than doubled and still rising and already more than two years late