Highlands and Islands Regional MSP Donald Cameron is urging the Scottish Government and Highlands and Islands Enterprise to provide a lifeline to the people of the north end of the Island of Kerrera who have been left without a local ferry service and cannot get to an alternative because of the lack of a passable road. Kerrera lies to the west of Oban and has a resident population of less than 100.
Mr Cameron said: “Local residents have been cut off from the mainland and left in a very difficult situation which the Isle of Kerrera Development Trust is rightly calling a ‘community emergency’.
“The loss of the ferry service from Oban Marina due to the impact of Covid-19 is a grievous blow, especially since proper road access to the affected part of the island is not due to be put in place until March of next year.
“And that is why I hope the Scottish Government, or one of its agencies, to intervene and provide a lifeline service.
“We cannot allow this community to struggle on through the winter months without help.”
Local Councillor Sir Jamie McGrigor (Oban South and the Isles) said: “The people at the north end of Kerrera feel as if they have been stranded and left to fend for themselves.
“It really isn’t good enough and someone from Government needs to accept responsibility, take charge, and provide a solution, and they need to do it quickly.
“This matter has dragged on for far too long and I sincerely hope that Donald’s letters act as a rocket on those concerned and they well and truly get the message.”
