Councillor Donald Manford :
I note from last week's Guth that Labour representatives have finally admitted that a ferry service in winter to Mallaig is unworkable. We have always been aware that Mallaig is a very dependable destination for vessels smaller than MV Lord of the Isles but, entirely unsuited to large vessels.
The question they must now answer is; did they know in 2006 that it would fail? That's when their then government prepared to discontinue Oban's ferry link with Castlebay and Lochboisdale and have it replaced by a Mallaig summer and winter service that they now know would have been disastrous.
Did they have any understanding of the cancellation chaos which would have ensued had the electorate not thwarted their disastrous intentions?
As our community prepares to consult on a new Barra/Glasgow air service, with new aircraft, we should not forget that these same individuals attempted to deprive us of the air service also. Fortunately for us they were defeated, though unfortunately their Labour dominated council went on to remove our inter-island air service.
Perhaps an apology from them is too much to expect?
Regards, Donald Manford
Sent from my iPhone
A journal written by the SNP opposition group on the Comhairle nan Eilean Siar (Western Isles Council).
