Overfull ferries
With the increase in demand on the Stornoway-Ullapool run there have been constant problems with locals residents turning up and not being able to get on the ferry.
This is the success of RET, but it comes at a price, as the large number of containerised lorries on the roads of the Western Isles demonstrates. As I warned a long time back, there is a definite impact on some local businesses who have not been able (or willing) to face the challenge from the mainland.
But there is a solution to overloaded ferries in sight.
On Thursday CalMac directors are coming to the island to speak to the LDOS and to meet with the Donald Manford, Chair of Transportation, and to announce that Sunday sailings are happening.
Immediately.
All to meet the huge increase in visitors over the Summer sailing periods.
Update 6pm: Spoke to Donald Manford who denies he was invited to a meeting with CalMac and that a request for a meeting had been made at a much higher level than the "mere Chair of Transportation". CalMac have admitted that they are meeting with some groups, but refuse to identify them. LDOS confirm that they are meeting with CalMac on Thursday.
Convener, Vice-Convener (& Chief Executive?) of Comhairle are 'unavailable' on Thursday due to leaving (very early) for a COSLA meeting on Friday!
More to follow.....
Update 8:30pm: The cause of this goes back two years. At that time the (majority of) Councillors decided not to debate Sunday issues and instructed the Chief Executive to formulate a report and possible policy for their consideration.
CalMac have long stated that they would never introduce Sunday sailings without consultation, but the Comhairle policy has never seen the light of day and as such the Directors of CalMac (which includes the Convener) have decided that the refusal to even outline the basis for consultation nullifies their promises.
The Transport Minister is, I am told, fully aware of CalMac's decision and fully supportive of their stance.
Why? RET means full ferries and the alternatives are utilising the assets 7 days a week or finding the cash to buy a new ferry (or ferries!), and that cash isn't there.
So, as I forecast, RET has led to Sunday ferries as sure as night follows day.
Update 21:20: For the sake of clarity, apart from the erroneous detail of his meeting with CalMac, Cllr Manford is not denying the remainder of the report is correct.
This is the success of RET, but it comes at a price, as the large number of containerised lorries on the roads of the Western Isles demonstrates. As I warned a long time back, there is a definite impact on some local businesses who have not been able (or willing) to face the challenge from the mainland.
But there is a solution to overloaded ferries in sight.
On Thursday CalMac directors are coming to the island to speak to the LDOS and to meet with the Donald Manford, Chair of Transportation, and to announce that Sunday sailings are happening.
Immediately.
All to meet the huge increase in visitors over the Summer sailing periods.
Update 6pm: Spoke to Donald Manford who denies he was invited to a meeting with CalMac and that a request for a meeting had been made at a much higher level than the "mere Chair of Transportation". CalMac have admitted that they are meeting with some groups, but refuse to identify them. LDOS confirm that they are meeting with CalMac on Thursday.
Convener, Vice-Convener (& Chief Executive?) of Comhairle are 'unavailable' on Thursday due to leaving (very early) for a COSLA meeting on Friday!
More to follow.....
Update 8:30pm: The cause of this goes back two years. At that time the (majority of) Councillors decided not to debate Sunday issues and instructed the Chief Executive to formulate a report and possible policy for their consideration.
CalMac have long stated that they would never introduce Sunday sailings without consultation, but the Comhairle policy has never seen the light of day and as such the Directors of CalMac (which includes the Convener) have decided that the refusal to even outline the basis for consultation nullifies their promises.
The Transport Minister is, I am told, fully aware of CalMac's decision and fully supportive of their stance.
Why? RET means full ferries and the alternatives are utilising the assets 7 days a week or finding the cash to buy a new ferry (or ferries!), and that cash isn't there.
So, as I forecast, RET has led to Sunday ferries as sure as night follows day.
Update 21:20: For the sake of clarity, apart from the erroneous detail of his meeting with CalMac, Cllr Manford is not denying the remainder of the report is correct.
36 comments:
Shirley you can't be serious? This might take some of the heat off the gay minister.
King Hell Angus, you better be right about this or your reputation for accuracy will be shot. Trouble is now that LDOS etal will have an extyra couple of days to cut the tape and get the chains ready to blockade the port! {;-))
What about a gay blockade? Great news Mr N.
Maybe now we can attract doctors, teachers, head teachers, surgeons, dentists, competent chief executives, etc, etc, where they & their families can get away for a day or two without waiting for school holidays or taking days off work.
And maybe now Lewis will be like Usit, Barra, Skye and many west of Scotland coastal towns & villages where, despite 7 day transport links, Sunday is still definitely Sunday.
Brilliant news - long overdue!
Oh please oh please oh please god make this happen! Yes!
Seeing is believing - would be nice
I am speechless - is this for real?
It's too late for April Fool!
Sincerely hope this is true for the benefit of the islands as well as those that live here - but I'll believe it when I see it.
Convener, Vice-Convener (& Chief Executive?) of Comhairle are 'unavailable' on Thursday due to leaving (very early) for a COSLA meeting on Friday!Example of rats leaving a sailing ship although to be honest it will make jack sh*t difference to them as they rack up their Fly Be airmiles......
If they take as much time to come back they could use the Sunday ferry to come home...
Alternatively they obviously think that it is a good use of local tax payers money to spend at least two nights in a hotel in preparation for a talking shop meeting on Friday.
THIS WILL NOT HAPPEN.
8:28PM
THE VOICE OF GOD HAS SPOKEN!!!!!
YE WILL ALL BE DAMNED
Wanna bet?
It's totally logical, sensible and long overdue that people should be able to travel to and from Lewis and Harris 7-days a week. Let's forget about posturing and points scoring and concentrate on the real issues and opportunities!
What the LDOS forget also is that there overwhelming support for 7 day a week profit (greed) generation from 7 day a week turbines also necessitates 7 day a week sailing. Its bit them in the bum.
9:01 If God has spoken, can you tell me with whom he spoke, when he spoke and where were the verifiable independant witnesses. I would imagaine that God has more than enough on his plate rather than worrying about some ferries sailing on a Sunday.
GOD IS NOT WORRIED ABOUT FERRIES SAILING ON A SUNDAY.
GOD IS WORRIED ABOUT YOUR SOUL.
GOD IS NOT WORRIED ABOUT FERRIES SAILING ON A SUNDAY.
GOD IS WORRIED ABOUT YOUR SOUL.
Its a no-brainer, it has to happen.
God spoke to me some time ago, but it was gibberish.
On another note, a Stornoway hotel manager told me last September that they knew for a fact that there would be Sunday sailings by the end of 2009 this was not any prediction, - they said they had information that it WAS happening and SOON. Whether you like it or not Sunday sailings are inevitable.
The benefits for Lewis will be huge.
As far as I understood it God gave us the choice as to the ultimate destination of our souls. If you are worried about your soul then it is very simple, don't use the ferry. Personally I will be taking my chances and enjoying some weekends off island with my family.
11.16 "the benefits to Lewis will be huge." Please describe them to assholes such as me who can only see the very opposite.
What a great, great, day !! :-)
- and the sun is shining
Can some-one tell me what are the dis-benefits?
A ferry which is currently tied up with full crew instead fulfills its purpose. People who live on the island get to go away for the weekend, making everyone cheerier and enriching the lives of our children.
Mainland people get to come to the islands for the weekend, making them happier and putting important cash into the tills of those island businesses who choose to trade on a Sunday. More money into the economy spreads out, even benefiting the businesses of those who choose to stay shut.
11.16 "the benefits to Lewis will be huge." Please describe them to assholes such as me who can only see the very opposite'
OK The advantages as I see them.
As mentioned more professionals, talented, entreprenurial and skilled people will be able to move to the area and know they can have weekends away, work away generally not be restroicted by anothers belief. I personally know people that wont move here because they cant get on or off the island daily. This will increase generally quality jobs and employment opportunity. Quality of life will be improved.
Tourism will be boosted as tourist can now get on and off the Island in a manor that suits them. This will boost employment Quality of life will be improved because of this?
Having Sunday Ferries is not disresoectful to the church or church goers? how can it be? If it is why cant the church or church goers respect others freedom to leave the island on a day of their choosing without imposing their beleifs on others? they do not have to use the ferry.
No-one has the right to restrict anothers movement in this country because of thir own religious belief, everyone should respect each other and no one person should expect to be respected and not respect the other in return.
10.27am At last something to make me laugh...:-) ta very much.
Evadne.
i have made this point several times Evadne and, as a christian i agreewith 10:27
Thanks to the SNP letting CalMac aay with it, we now have Sunday ferries.
Don't remember that in the manifesto.
Why are they so silent on the issue?
Convener knew this was happening as he sits on the Board of CalMac.
The 'short notice' and his early departure for a Friday conference (it's normally the last plane he catches) tells you that it as all a set-up so he could avoid having to address the issue.
Flossie, have you got splinters in your bum from all that fence sitting?
Anon 11:32
How's my reputation for accuracy now? A few minor points were incorrect but the meat of the story was there!
Thanks to Cpt Pugwash for the info.
Angus,
11:32 here. Spot on mate! {;-). I'm glad that you were right. When is the question? Also would this ruling be transferable to the leisure centres?
Sunday ferry services are now going to happen and the only issue is when - weeks or months. Interesting that most of the comments on this site consistently are in favour while Hebrides News consistently talks up the opposition to change. I suppose its a matter of who you hang around with. All a bit tribal for my liking.
Sooooo, does that mean that Sunday opening of the sports centre (or lack thereof) is anti equalities legislation....
Mmmmm, have those same people complained to the Equalities Commission about that?
Bang on the money 8.53 - any service provider that ignores equalities legislation is opening itself to legal challenge with little defence.
Having sports facilities open on Sundays in Uist but not in Lewis or Harris will be hard to defend.
8:53 / 9:20 - Then what are we waiting for? Where's the petition?
www.ipetitions.com/petitions/sundayswimming
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