Highlands and Islands MSP Jamie Halcro Johnston has written to Holyrood’s Presiding Officer in a bid to get the new Transport Minister in front of Parliament to answer questions over the ongoing issues facing the suspended Corran ferry service.
With disruption now being reported to be likely for 6- 8 weeks, the Scottish Conservative MSP has submitted a request for a Topical Question next Tuesday (18th April) over the ongoing situation at the Corran Narrows crossing and what involvement the Scottish Government has had.
Mr Halcro Johnston said: “The suspension of the Corran Narrows ferry crossing has been a huge blow to the local communities impacted, but may not have been a surprise to many.
“This isn’t an issue which has suddenly appeared – there have been warnings over the lack of resilience of the service for some time, and the need for progress on a longer term solution.
“Unfortunately, those warnings have been ignored in both Inverness and Edinburgh, and progress has been limited. That is why we now see major disruption to the service and to the lives of those who rely on it.
“The Scottish Government’s approach has been to suggest it’s all an issue for Highland Council to resolve and they seem content to try and wash ministerial hands of the issue. That is simply unacceptable.
“SNP ministers should be working with Highland Council to provide support and to help restore the ferry crossing as soon as possible. They should also be talking about how longer term – and more reliable - options, such as replacement vessels, can be delivered.
"If I am successful in bringing the new Transport Minister before Parliament, I hope that he will also set out when he will meet with local residents and other stakeholders to hear their concerns over the service and what they need to see delivered.
“This is an unacceptable situation that has persisted for far too long. It is vital that pressure is kept up on both the Highland Council and the Scottish Government to work together to deliver solutions and not just more empty rhetoric."
