New Western Isles ferry service should be reconsidered, Labour says

A NEW ferry service linking the Western Isles to the mainland should be reconsidered as part of a national review, Labour said yesterday.

The party wants the Scottish Government to establish a link between Lochboisdale on South Uist and Mallaig. Islanders currently travel the longer route to Oban.

However, Infrastructure Secretary Alex Neil said the route was cancelled in 2001 by the previous Labour-led administration.

He said the Government will listen to all views as part of its consultation on ferry services.

Labour MSP Elaine Murray led a debate at Holyrood on the issue.

She said: “There are many benefits – not just the benefits of cost to the traveller, which is significant. There are also benefits to carbon emissions because there will be less driving.”