A north MSP has welcomed the news CalMac is appointing a director of community and stakeholder engagement.
The transport company’s plans also involve the creation of a communities board to enhance engagement with local towns and villages in strategic matters.
SNP MSP for the Western Isles, Alasdair Allan, responded: “The Scottish Government has made sustained and substantial investment in our ferry network over the past nine years.
“We now have dedicated vessels for Barra and South Uist, a new vessel for the Uig triangle has been commissioned, and we’ve seen the deployment of the purpose-built Loch Seaforth on the Stornoway-Ullapool route.
“However, a complaint I often hear from different groups is the feeling they are not being listened to and their concerns are not being taken on board by Calmac.
“Community groups should have a distinct role to play in the formation of transport strategy and I now look forward to seeing greater engagement between them and the company.
“The new contract contains a number of welcome innovations and I hope to hear more about their plans when I meet with the company later this month.”
