MSP critical over use of ferry
Ferry Online Travel News 07/06/2010
MSP for Okrney unhappy about lack of clear rules on government interference in ferry services.
Liam McArthur, the MSP for Orkney, is displeased at the Scottish Government’s refusal to provide a clear set of rules to be followed before diverting much-needed island ferry services. On 20 April, the MV Hamnavoe, which normally provides services between Stromness in Orkney and Scrabster in Caithness, was taken out of regular service and diverted to Bergen in Norway, as part of efforts to repatriate stranded British air travellers. The government made the decision without first speaking to community and business leaders.
McArthur said the move resulted in widespread disruption for local businesses and caused them to lose earnings. He insisted the government should use a review of ferry services already being undertaken as a chance to introduce rules governing the steps to be followed in future before ferries can be diverted from their regular services.
However, Transport Minister Stewart Stevenson insisted the government action was taken in consultation with Orkney Islands Council and that other ferry services between Orkney and the mainland had continued regular operations. MV Hamnavoe, a Northlink vessel, was sent to Bergen to rescue Britons caught up in the Europe-wide chaos caused by the Icelandic ash cloud.
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