IT is one of the great success stories of Scotland’s booming island tourism industry.
More than 600,000 people a year are tramping or driving on and off ferries at Craignure Pier, gateway to both Mull and Iona.
But islanders warn the old structure, owned by Argyll and Bute Council, will just not cope with the new and bigger ships needed to carry visitors to and from the mainland.
They say they have been warning of the need for repairs for six years. Now they add that the pier will not be big enough for the larger ferry earmarked for the route from next summer.
Elizabeth Ferguson, chairwoman of the Mull and Iona Ferry Committee, said: “We have been campaigning for improvements to Craignure Pier for years, yet the council have done nothing of substance in response.
“It seems that they have also been deaf to the needs of Caledonian MacBrayne, who have been planning for this crucial redeployment for years.”
The new ferry is needed to handle a 40% increase in the route’s traffic as a result of the introduction of Road Equivalent Tariff (RET) in 2015.
A recent Scottish Transport Analysis Guide (STAG) appraisal stated that the north and south berths at the pier were too short for larger ferries.
The report added:”Much of the infrastructure was designed for smaller vehicles and is approaching life expiry.”
Ferries between Craignure and Oban are the fourth most popular in Scotland. The route is one of the most over-subscribed of all CalMac services, with local residents often unable to travel in the summer months due to a lack of vehicle spaces.
Shiona Ruhemann, from Iona Community Council, said: “Reliable ferry links are essential for our fragile communities.
“In winter we have more and more weather cancellations, and in the summer many sailings are so full there is no space left for islanders.”
Argyll MSP Michael Russell said: “The problems with the pier have been obvious for a long time and I understand the anger of many in the island about the failure to tackle these. The council needs to accelerate plans for a suitable replacement immediately.”
Critics say Highland Council and CMAL, the state body which owns Calmac ships and many ports, were further ahead dealing with similar issues.
An Argyll and Bute Council spokesman said: “A solution for Craignure Pier will be found in partnership between the council, Transport Scotland, CalMac and CMal, and talking with the community. We recently ended a consultation, through a STAG appraisal, which gave local people the chance to put forward their views.
“This will inform any solution which will be developed and designed in detail. Any final business case will be considered by council members and Transport Scotland is likely to play an important part in the scale of works and funding model.”
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