Caledonian MacBrayne has confirmed that it will operate an enhanced 7 day service on the Sound of Harris service from Sunday, April 9, 2006.

The extended timetable, which was announced following the recent CalMac Board meeting in Stornoway on Wednesday 29 March, provides 3 sailings on the route on Sundays.

CalMac Managing Director, Lawrie Sinclair, speaking in advance of tomorrow’s sailings, said: “CalMac has recognised all along that this decision would prove to be a difficult one and one which would be debated very publicly. I would like to reaffirm that we fully appreciate the sensitivities of the situation and this has been a difficult decision for the Board.  CalMac has an obligation, which the Board of Directors felt they were right to uphold, to provide lifeline ferry services which meet the economic and social needs of all the islands the company serves.  We will operate the service in as sensitive and unobtrusive way possible and will do so with the minimum of disruption to anyone.”

Mr Sinclair continued: “Following representations from both island communities, we felt that an extended 7 day service is the most appropriate way of fulfilling our responsibilities to the people of the whole chain of islands which is the Outer Hebrides. Since we have made the decision to extend our sailings, we have had just over 40 representations in writing and they have been split almost exactly for and against. This shows precisely how the Company was faced with a very difficult decision which could not possibly accommodate both sides of the argument.  The Company was well aware of the opposition to the proposed service, as we were aware of the support for it from some communities. The Company could not deny those wishing the opportunity to travel to do so.”

As CalMac’s Lochmaddy-Uig route already operates on Sundays, the enhanced Sound of Harris service effectively provides a seven day mainland ferry link to Lewis and Harris for the first time. CalMac has operated a Sunday service on the Sound of Barra and Uig-Lochmaddy services since 2004 and 1989 respectively.

The seven day operation on the Sound of Harris also allows the opportunity to travel the length of the Outer Hebrides by car all week for the first time.

Caledonian MacBrayne is fully is committed to providing lifeline services throughout its network and will to ensure that these are maintained and improved on an ongoing basis.

The Company is also currently engaged in an ongoing dialogue with the Maritime Coastguard Agency (MCA) about the possibility of extending the hours of week time sailings on the Sound of Harris. Mr. Sinclair added: “We are very pleased with the discussions we have been having on what is a very difficult route. There is a misconception that it is very easy to extend our hours of sailing but it is not that straightforward. We are working very closely with the MCA to see what can be done and we will take their guidance as the regulatory authority on whatever opportunities might be available.”

Ends

Summer Timetable
Berneray - Leverburgh (Sound of Harris)
Sundays 09 April to 15 October

Dep Berneray  Arr Lever Dep Lever Arr Bern
       0900              1000         1010         1110
       1330              1430         1440         1540
       1615              1715         1725         1825

For further information on the contents of this News Release, please contact Hugh Dan MacLennan, Head of Communication and Customer Care, Caledonian MacBrayne.   Tel: 0776 435 4021; e-mail hugh.maclennan@calmac.co.uk.

Issued:  Saturday,  April 8,  2006  :  1100