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Councillor calls for urgent review of Uist bus timetables

April 21, 2016

An urgent review of the new Uist bus timetables is required, says SNP councillor Donald Manford, who has been inundated with concerns from local residents.

Changes to bus services in Uist were the subject of consultation by Comhairle nan Eilean Siar as part of the budget setting process. However, the re-shaped service is causing major issues for those living and working across the area.

Cllr Manford said: “More than 30 constituents have contacted me very worried that they will be unable to continue in employment due to the timetable changes and some who are now using taxis to get to work but make clear that is simply unaffordable.

“People are struggling to get to work with many saying that the service is not catering for working people. I understand there are many people affected including pupils at Sgoil Lionacleit who wish to attend after school activities. This needs to be addressed with a degree of urgency.”

He added: “I recognise that the council conducted consultations prior to deciding on the current timetables. However, it seems very clear that the consultation exercise which was practiced has not worked for the many who have been left stranded, particularly those whose work and livelihoods have been so dramatically affected.

“The operators have done their best within the constraints of the contract but the Comhairle must look to amend the timetables as soon as possible.”

Na h-Eileanan an Iar MP Angus MacNeil has also been contacted by several constituents on this matter and he was now written to the Comhairle’s Chief Executive Malcolm Burr, asking for a review of timetables be carried out at the earliest opportunity.

Filed Under: News, Transport Tagged With: Bus, Cllr Donald Manford, Comhairle nan Eilean Siar, Timetable, Uist

SNP: Labour opposition to Lochmaddy ferry improvement condemned

March 11, 2015

MV Hebrides pictured in Lochmaddy.

MV Hebrides pictured in Lochmaddy.

Statement from Cllr Donald Manford (SNP):

“Westminster Labour candidate Alasdair Morrison’s unenviable reputation for the crass and absurd gets even more outrageous.  Mr Morrison’s claim that urgently needed increased ferry capacity for Lochmaddy should not happen is as puerile as it is objectionable.

“The  Lochmaddy-Uig route is the shortest, most sheltered and least disrupted route there is and is critically needed, especially at this time of year.  It is little wonder that Lochmaddy and with it all communities between Berneray and Vatersay have been held back, while the ridiculous views of Mr Morrison and his Labour cohort held sway.

“Out of political desperation Mr Morrison is trying to resurrect his proposals to reduce Western Isles ferry services to three routes.  These proposals were objected to in 2001 when as Tourism Minister he axed the Mallaig service and ended in 2006 when the people of Scotland ousted his  Labour administration from Edinburgh.  Since then ferry routes have increased as have the number of people traveling to our islands.  Ferries must increase to keep pace; it the dinosaur mentality of Labour and Westminster which must be ended, and their loathsome practice of trying to pitch communities against each other must be seen to fail.

“I am delighted that Roslyn MacPherson has courageously committed to securing for Lochmaddy the level of ferry service that it should have.  This will ably compliment the sterling efforts of Neil Beaton and Uisdean Robertson, and will have my full support.”

Filed Under: Local Government, News, Transport Tagged With: Alasdair Morrison, Cllr Donald Manford, Ferries, Labour, SNP

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