Cal-Mac's latest embarrassing incident involving 5 of it's crew members has resulted in yet more cancelled ferry sailings going to and from Islay.
It's clear Cal-Mac certainly need to get their act together and sort out our substandard ferry service. We are heading into the time of year when we on Islay need our ferries the most, yet the Cal -Mac management with their monopoly and large taxpayer funded subsidy seem to be disinterested.
On Islay more than anywhere else our ferries are not just an important means of transport for locals and visitors but an essential piece of infrastructure for our massive industrial output from our distilleries, farms, fisheries and estates.
Thanks to ferry troubles our island was forecast to have lost £20k of potential tourist revenue over the Easter bank holiday in 2015. Our local economy lost a similar amount in 2016 and at this rate local business this Easter will will be hit financially yet again.
Islay's economy is being damaged by the management of Cal-Mac's not fit for purpose ferry service. This must stop.
Full Story: http://www.express.co.uk/news/uk/776803/Isle-Islay-ferry-passengers-stranded-crew-breathalysed-drunk
Alastair Redman