The Corran Action Group held a protest over ongoing Corran Ferry problems at the Scottish Rural and Islands Parliament in Fort William, securing a meeting with the Deputy First Minister Shona Robison.
“Whilst we are all extremely pleased the MV Corran has finally come back into service, we are painfully aware this is very much not the end of the issue,” said Corran Action Group (CAG) member Michael Foxley, vice chairperson of Ardgour Community Council, before the protest.
“She will break down again, it’s simply inevitable, and she will continue to do so. We need a replacement vessel now.”
The CAG wrote to Ms Robison asking for a meeting at the Scottish Rural and Islands Parliament in the Nevis Centre on November 3.
The group stated: “Simply looking at a map doesn’t convey the massive implications of this crossing – it is designated a lifeline service for good reason, but Highland Council have failed to manage it as such. We need your help to find an alternative way to address this situation as a matter of urgency.”
Mr Foxley added: “We cannot risk Highland Council resting on their laurels and assuming the problem is all over now the MV Corran is back in service.
“We can’t bring back the businesses that have already closed or the people who’ve moved out of the area, but we still have time to help those that are teetering on the brink due to the problems they’ve suffered this year, and we have to do everything we can to keep pushing for a reliable and sustainable service to be reinstated as a matter of urgency.
“This issue is very far from resolved, and we need to do everything we can to remind people of that fact.”
The 23-year-old MV Corran returned to service across Loch Linnhe on Saturday October 28 after a year away. The 48-year-old, smaller back-up vessel, the MV Maid of Glencoul, broke down many times, lastly in August, with no confirmation yet from Highland Council when – or if – she may return.
In May, Highland Council members ditched a plan to bid for two new electric ferries, estimated to cost £70.5million, in favour of a bid to the UK government Levelling Up Fund this year for £52million towards the cost of one new electric ferry.
Friday’s protest, though small, did secure its objective, said CAG member Joanne Matheson, who had a 20-minute one-on-one meeting with the Deputy First Minister.
“We sat down in a room and cut straight to the issue,” Joanne said. “She listened.
“She asked me what Highland Council’s plan was to replace the ferry.
“The Corran is an old vessel. It has broken down twice since coming back. It is going to break down again. An electric ferry, if we are lucky, will arrive in 2028. She said: ‘That is not good enough, is it?’
“I said: ‘We need a new diesel ferry now.” Ms Matheson argued there must be a second-hand diesel ferry that could be adapted for the area’s needs, and that a new one could be ordered and delivered within a year.
“We only need £15million for a new diesel ferry,” she said. “Highland Council has a £20million underspend on the City Region Deal.”
The Deputy First Minister told Ms Matheson she would compare notes with the transport minister Fiona Hyslop, who met local representatives in Ardgour in August, and get back to her.
“We are not taking our foot off the accelerator,” Ms Matheson said. “We cannot risk it.”