Transport minister Keith Brown pledges to make air and ferry service improvements

SCOTLAND’S transport minister Keith Brown has promised to make a series of improvements to ferry and air services as part of a government plan for the sector over the next decade.

• Improvements will be part of ten-year plan to improve services

• Changes will include weekend air service between Mull of Kintyre and Glasgow over next two summers

• New ferry planned from Campbeltown to Ayrshire via Arran

The improvements will include a weekend air service to be introduced between the Mull of Kintyre and Glasgow over the next two summers, Mr Brown said.

There will also be a new ferry service from Campbeltown to Ayrshire via Arran in the Scottish government’s final ferries plan.

Mr Brown promised that all existing essential services would be protected, including schemes such as the maintenance of additional summer air services between Barra and Tiree and Glasgow.

He said:“The long term future of ferry services in Scotland is vital not only for Scotland’s economic wellbeing but also for the people in our island and remote communities. Having concluded an extensive consultation which saw over 2000 responses, today we are laying out how we will expand and improve ferry services across Scotland.

“Despite the substantial financial pressures placed on us by Westminster, we are determined to make good on our promise to deliver improved ferry services on a progressive basis and the Final Ferries Plan will be our cornerstone in doing just that.

“After a thorough consultation and detailed analysis of service provision, the final Ferries Plan will, I believe, give communities, businesses and visitors alike more services with the necessary vessels and infrastructure to match.”