CalMac amends winter deployments
CalMac has revealed a new winter deployment plan after news of MV Caledonian Isles’ repair delay which will now run until March.
CalMac says it has amended proposals to meet the needs of island communities along the West Coast.
Communities have been expressing their concerns and demands to CalMac following the latest wave of vessel breakdowns, and the company says it has taken these into account as part of its revised plans, which ensures direct routes to the mainland for all of the islands that CalMac serves.
Some islands, such as Mull, will have to continue with a single vessel service for longer.
These include the extension of the Claonaig-Lochranza service on Arran, just as was done last year under similar circumstances, however there will be reduced capacity between Ardrossan and Brodick.
CalMac has also announced a weekly return directly to Lochboisdale on South Uist from Oban.
CalMac has also confirmed that all sailings to Colonsay on a Monday in December and January will operate.
The news follows local protests against the proposed removal of the service, which would have left the island with just two sailings per week.
Colonsay’s at risk Monday sailings in February and March are to be reviewed in January. Its next two Monday sailings will not go ahead.
Members of the Colonsay Lifeline Transport Group recently gathered in large numbers on Colonsay Pier to protest at the removal of the service.
One of their representatives said: "Obviously the Colonsay community is greatly relieved to see the latest CalMac deployment plan that reinstates our December Monday ferries, and pleased to see that the three still missing Mondays in February, and one in March, are to be kept under review.
"We believe though that there are still options to be considered, particularly a continuation of the January Monday timetable that gives Colonsay an early morning service, before going to Coll and Tiree later in the day.
CalMac has revealed that at least 50 per cent of deck space is still available on all sailings to Colonsay through to the end of the year.
A CalMac spokesperson said: “Whilst this is a challenging period, our revised deployment plan reflects our efforts to take on board the wide range of feedback we received from islanders and businesses, and should allow us to maintain lifeline services and meet demand across all routes on the network.
“All islands will maintain a direct service under this plan and we are committed to supporting local communities throughout this period of disruption.”
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