CALMAC banned motorhomes from travelling to one of Scotland's islands - as calls have been made for heads to roll over a new wave of travel problems to hit the islands.
Business leaders, who have been told there will be no compensation from the Scottish Government for those hit by a month-long cancellation of services to long-suffering South Uist, organised a demonstration yesterday to show contempt for the decision-making.
An estimated 500 residents, 200 cars, 40 vans and 20 lorries converged on Lochboisdale - the port which links South Uist to the mainland - in a protest over CalMac's decision to cancel almost every ferry service in June due to continuing problems with its ageing fleet.
But the issues were exacerbated over the weekend when CalMac blocked motorhomes from going to and from North Uist from Saturday morning because of a problem with MV Hebrides' mezzanine deck.
The space for vehicles had been drastically cut because of the problems which led to CalMac bringing in a rule stopping motorhomes from boarding.
READ MORE: Hundreds of islanders, cars and lorries in demo over CalMac ferry cuts
One resident, Jamie MacIntyre, who lodged a complaint with the ferry operator, said: "Are you compensating the campsites for loss of earnings? How was this decided? I don’t recall a community consultation? Have you been in contact with those with motorhomes already in Uist and told them they have no means of leaving given the dire situation in Lochboisdale?"
By 1pm on Sunday, CalMac told users the issues with the decks had been resolved but that some customers who were disrupted would continue to be affected into Monday "whilst we re-instate" their use.
The Lochboisdale protest. Credit: Carla Regler
It came as the start of a complete shut down of services to and from Lochboisdale began on Saturday.
MV Lord of the Isles was taken from the South Uist service to cover as a relief service to and from Islay as MV Finlaggan leaves for an overdue service.
That comes as MV Hebridean Isles was expected to return to the Islay route this weekend but instead will remain in dry dock as its "pitch control issues" continue - having been sidelined for months.
The continued disruption comes despite the introduction of MV Alfred to the fleet - brought as a nine-month charter from Pentland Ferries with the approval of the Scottish Government at a cost to the taxpayer of £1m-a-month.
Sign up for the Scotland's Ferries newsletter and get extra analysis and information every week from Scotland's leading journalist on the issue.
Click here to sign up
'Shocking': Motorhomes ban and call for sackings amidst islanders ferry cuts demo
6
13
05.06.2023
CALMAC banned motorhomes from travelling to one of Scotland's islands - as calls have been made for heads to roll over a new wave of travel problems to hit the islands.
Business leaders, who have been told there will be no compensation from the Scottish Government for those hit by a month-long cancellation of services to long-suffering South Uist, organised a demonstration yesterday to show contempt for the decision-making.
An estimated 500 residents, 200 cars, 40 vans and 20 lorries converged on Lochboisdale - the port which links South Uist to the mainland - in a protest over CalMac's decision to cancel almost every ferry service in June due to........
© Herald Scotland
visit website
login
who are we?
contact us
qosheapp
Toi Staff
Gideon Levy
Andrew Mitrovica
Belen Fernandez
Tafi Mhaka
Marwan Bishara
Timotej Milanov
Ahmadi Ali
