Call for review of Barra service

Ferries from Castlebay sail to Oban on the mainland

A councillor is seeking a Scottish Executive review of ferry services to Barra in the Western Isles.

Donald Manford said the timetable was restrictive and that on occasions the ferry had been used to cover for another that had broken down.

Caledonian MacBrayne which operates the life-line service said arrivals and departures had to fit the constraints of the distance involved.

A spokeswoman added that no route was left without a service.

An "ongoing battle" between islanders and CalMac over services to and from Barra was highlighted in an e-mail from a user of the BBC Scotland news website.

Commenting, Mr Manford said the row had been rumbling on for eight years.

'Too late'

The SNP councillor said he has written to Transport Minister Stewart Stevenson asking for a meeting to discuss the situation.

Mr Manford said the journey from Castlebay in Barra via Lochboisdale in South Uist to Oban on the mainland took seven hours and the ferry often arrived too late for passengers to use public transport to their final destination.

Mr Manford added: "There have been frequent examples where there is a breakdown on another route the vessel is taken from this (Barra) route."

CalMac said in the event of a break down Barra, or any other route, would still get a service.

A spokeswoman said timetables were subject to consultation with Comhairle nan Eilean Siar (Western Isles Council) and ferry user groups.