Commenting on the announcement of tendering for the Clyde and Hebrides ferry routes, Comhairle nan Eilean Siar’s Chairman of Transportation, Cllr Donald Manford, said: 

“Ferry services are our roads, providing vital social and business links. It is therefore essential that the services are the best they can be.

Much remains to be done to reach the aspirations of the communities of the Islands in terms of the services they rightly expect in the 21st century and we would hope that this is a central consideration in the bids from the tenderers. I would like to see the Comhairle playing an informative role in shaping these ferry services and we will be seeking the best way of ensuring that happens.

I welcome the inclusion of an option to tender for a Mallaig Lochboisdale direct service and would expect that tenderers will include such an option in their bids.

I will now be writing to the Minister to seek guidance on these matters and how best we can be of assistance in influencing future services”.

Vice-Chairman of Transportation, Ronnie Mackinnon, said: “I welcome the Minister’s recognition of the case that the Comhairle has made for a direct Mallaig/Lochboisdale service. We will continue to make that case and urge tenderers to take this opportunity to provide an improved service for the people of the Southern Isles.”

Nigel Scott
Communications Officer
Comhairle nan Eilean Siar

Tel: 01851 709389 (Work)
Tel: 07884 236103 (Mobile)
email: nscott@cne-siar.gov.uk