RESIDENTS of Jura have voted against a car ferry service between the island and the Argyll mainland.
But there is still a planning application to establish a "short sea crossing" to Knapdale which has divided opinion on the island for the past 40 years, and the feasibility of a fast passenger service from Crinan is also being investigated.
Until the early 1970s, a MacBrayne ferry called at Craighouse, the main settlement on Jura. Now, though, islanders have to fly to Islay or take a Caledonian MacBrayne ferry to Port Askaig before crossing the Sound of Islay in a council-run ferry.
The short sea crossing was seen by some as the answer. But such a project would now require considerable upgrading of roads on Jura and the mainland, and has been opposed by people concerned their island might become the main highway to Islay.
Between 1961 and 2001, Jura's population declined by more than 30per cent from 249 to 174, and today stands at around 180. The fragility of the community was recognised by the old Scottish Office when it was designated an Initiative at the Edge area, which had failed to respond to efforts by development agencies.
Transport is one of the big issues facing Jura and an independent study was commissioned from transport consultants Steer Davies Gleave into a short sea crossing from Lagg on Jura to Keillmore on the mainland. This would involve a slipway and breakwater at both ferry terminals, plus GBP2m worth of road improvements on Jura and the mainland.
Jura's Initiative at the Edge committee sent out 149 ballot papers to the island's over-18 population. Some 35 supported the service, but 47 were in opposition.
According to Jura Jottings, the island's monthly news sheet, supporters saw the economic advantages of such a service, but opponents were all concerned by increased traffic and being a stepping stone for Islay.
Dick Mayes, chairman of Jura's Initiative at the Edge committee, said yesterday: "The vote represents a 55per cent turnout which for Jura is rather disappointing. But the islanders have spoken and the committee cannot proceed with something democratically rejected by the community.
"But we are working with the local enterprise company to prepare a business case for a fast passenger service running from Crinan to Craighouse, perhaps taking 40/45 minutes. If it can be shown such a service would be viable with a small subsidy or no subsidy, then the council would put it out to tender for next summer.
"In the meantime, the best thing to do now is to concentrate on improving the performance of the ferry between Jura and Islay."
Meanwhile, separate to those developments is the Islay and Jura Ferry Company's application to run a car ferry from Lagg to Keillmore. Originally submitted in July 2003, it stalled due to issues raised by Scottish Natural Heritage and Historic Scotland.
It was never withdrawn and the company, comprising business interests on Islay and Jura, is updating it. A council spokeswoman said it will be republicised and will go to consultees for further consideration, with a decision months, rather than weeks, away.
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