Island at a crossroads over link to Luing

FIRST there was the bridge over the Atlantic. Now there's a dispute over a road across the Atlantic.

The tiny west coast island of Luing is split over whether it should be permanently connected to the mainland with an expensive fixed link or keep its traditional ferry.

Just over half of the 180 islanders want Luing to be connected to Seil Island, south of Oban, which was itself linked to the Argyll coast in the 18th-century by a famous bridge, to stop the population dwindling and boost the local economy.

Around 40 per cent, however, believe building a causeway or a bridge will lead to the loss of services and the gradual destruction of the island way of life.

This week, Argyll and Bute Council is expected to unveil the results of a study into the depth of the 265-metre wide channel that divides the two "Slate" islands. If the narrow Cuan Sound is shallower than previously thought, the price of a causeway will fall and make a fixed link more affordable.

An action group fighting for a fixed link claims that not only will a causeway be the cheapest option but could also harness tidal power to generate income. A fixed link is also backed by two-thirds of island businesses.

But opponents are backed by conservationists who say a causeway will harm marine wildlife and affect navigation. Sailors say a causeway could close a safe, sheltered passage through Cuan Sound, and there is a pro-ferry lobby who want to improve the existing six-car vessel and retain true island status.

The council has considered three options for a permanent crossing, including a high-level bridge, a lower level bridge and a causeway. But Stuart Turner, the council's head of roads and amenity services, said:

"A high-level bridge meets all the environmental requirements, but if it's going to cost many millions of pounds more (than other options], then we have to take that into account.

"If it transpires the sound is much shallower than we thought it was, and we can have a different kind of crossing between Luing and the mainland, we will take that to the council and ask them to discuss it with the Scottish Government to secure funds."

The Fixed Link Action Group, which has been pressing its case for 11 years, says a causeway could work out cheaper than the 2.5 million cost of replacing the ferry and slipways and continuing its 500,000 a year running costs. Barry Wilson, the group's spokesman, said:

"The problem the council and the government have is that the ferry is nearly 45 years old and needs replacing. It is going to cost a great deal of money and we believe the money would be better spent on building a fixed link.

"There is no 'do nothing' option. Sooner or later someone is going to have to spend a great deal of money. They can go along with a 19th century solution or they connect to the mainland.

"If you look at other fixed links, every one is a success. No community has ever asked for a fixed link to be taken away."

An official transport links appraisal report, in 2007, favoured a high-level bridge, which would allow the sea to continue to flow through the sound but said the cost could be as high as 14 million. By contrast a causeway would stop the tidal flow and affect local marine species, such as dolphins and basking sharks, which depend on fast flowing water for their habitat.

Mark Carter, of Hebridean Partnership and Marine Concern, said a causeway would change the natural state of Cuan Sound where the currents exceed eight knots. "A bridge would be the easiest thing to get round environmental concerns but would be more expensive."

Anja Lamont, who has lived on Luing for more than 30 years, said:

"A causeway will bring with it innumerable extra problems with navigation, hydrology and the environment. A fixed link could also lead to the loss of island services, such as the post bus and the school, with pupils sent to classes on the mainland."

The main industries of Luing are tourism, lobster fishing and beef farming, although slate quarrying was important until 1965. Lamont fears a fixed link will lead to the loss of the island's identity and encourage young people to leave. "My fear is that its not economic regeneration that will happen, but that we will become a really select retirement colony."