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Post by ferryfast admin on Apr 3, 2006 23:41:05 GMT -5
Seven-day island ferry service to launch this Sunday JOHN ROSS THE controversial Sunday ferry service to Harris will start this weekend, Caledonian MacBrayne confirmed yesterday.
The company caused a furore last week when it decided in favour of a seven-day service on the Sound of Harris route, despite opposition from some islanders.
The first sailing will leave Berneray on North Uist at 9am on Sunday, arriving an hour later at Leverburgh on Harris. Two other crossings are planned for Sunday, at 1:30pm and 4:15pm.
Dr Harold Mills, CalMac's chairman, said: "We fully appreciate the sensitivities of the situation, and this has been a difficult decision. However, CalMac has an obligation to provide a lifeline ferry services which meets the economic and social needs of the islands.
"Following representations from both island communities, we feel that an extended seven-day service is the most appropriate way of fulfilling our responsibilities to the people of Uist and Harris."
After last week's decision, Western Isles Council condemned CalMac for giving the go-ahead to the service and urged the company to re-think the decision.
CalMac took the decision after an approach from Archie Campbell, a North Uist councillor, who said the lack of seven-day sailings was having a social and economic impact on the islands.
But the move was attacked by other councillors, who handed in a 711-name petition and said it would destroy a way of life and go against local opinion.
This article: news.scotsman.com/scotland.cfm?id=515472006
Last updated: 04-Apr-06 01:24 BST
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