Beachd Ailein
I would like to compliment Mull and Iona Ferry Committee on its efforts and wish them every success.
There appears that, within CMAL, there is a strongly entrenched bias against the catamaran solution. Despite having a very successful operation on their doorstep – Pentland Ferries – from which they might learn, a Freedom of Information (FOI) request some months ago requesting copies of any evaluations of the vessel carried out the reply was, almost with pride, that there were none.
The CMAL website carries a question and answer section with the people of Islay for suggestions concerning the next new ferry for their route. The question was asked: ‘What about a catamaran?’
The answer was ‘not operationally suitable’. This is nonsense. With a new build, anything can be made suitable. I failed, under FOI, to obtain any information on the discussions, if any, leading to this extraordinary conclusion.
It would appear CMAL management are still firmly entrenched in the last century and that they have painted themselves into such a corner that any change would constitute a major loss of face. I suspect that nothing will change until there is a change of management at the top that will introduce modern, fuel efficient, effective services at a reasonable cost and with less weather-related disruption.
The introduction, eventually, of the Glen Sannox on the Ardrossan/Brodick route will, due to her size and the unsuitable harbours, condemn the people of Arran to a further 25 years of weather-related disruption.
The cost of these works and the build cost of the new ships could have bought 98 car ferries, such as Alfred, to replace all the large ferries in the fleet, to where required.
It is a disgrace the Scottish Government continues to throw vast sums at CMAL with no apparent effective oversight. It is time for change. It is our money.
J Patrick Maclean, Oban.
The Scottish Government spin machine’s use of phrases last week like ‘encouraging progress’ about the work at the Rest and Be Thankful cannot disguise its failure to make any real progress towards a solution.
At an online briefing session last
questioned Transport Minister
I month, Michael ailean@obantimes.co.uk
’S fhada bho nochd an abairt gur “fada seachdain ann an saoghal phoilitigs!” Uill, ann an Ameireagaidh co-dhiù ’s neònach gun robh na faclan riamh cho fìor ‘s a bha iad bho chionn latha neo dhà, agus chan eil fios de tuilleadh a dh’fhaodadh a bhith an dàn eadar seo agus an t-àm a nochdas an colbh seo, ceithir latha romhainn! ’S iomadh càineadh a bhios ga thoirt air a’ mhoit ’s an t-àrdan leis am bi an dùthaich sin ga cur fhèin air adhart mar thìr saoranachd agus sàr eisimpleir dheamocrasaidh an t-saoghail, agus tha gu leòr cheistean gun fhreagairt air a’ bharail aice oirre fhèin. Ach ’s gann a b’ urrainn dha ìomhaigh Ameireagaidh barrachd damaiste fhulang na thachair nuair a thug gràisg de luchd-taice Dhòmhnaill Trump ionnsaigh iorghaileach air Ionad Còmhdhail na dùthcha ann an Washington Diciadain seo chaidh. Chaill ceathrar am beatha an lùib na h-ùpraid nàr, a chaidh a chraoladh beò tro mheadhanan naidheachd, agus dh’fhuiling cliù is creideas na dùthcha feadh an t-saoghail shìobhalta!
Tha iomadh ceist gam faighneachd, agus rim freagairt fhathast, a thaobh ’s dè dh’fhàg dìon an ionaid cho lag air latha coinneamh a bha gu bhith cho frionasach. Bha làn-fhios gun robh Trump a’ brosnachadh dhaoine gus tighinn gu ruige Washington a thogail fianais-taice dha na casaidean foill a tha e fhathast a’ togail, a dh’aindeoin dìth fianais dearbhaidh a bhith aige! Air an latha phiobraich e fhèin agus a mhic an sluagh a bhith “làidir” agus “tìr-ghràdhach”, agus caismeachd a dh’ionnsaigh Ionad a’
Matheson on why it says it could take at least five years before it even starts work on a proper solution.
He waffled on about planning permission, environmental impact assessments and compensating landowners. This is ridiculous. I’ve attended 14 years of meetings on the A83 and all we get is fobbed off with pathetic excuses.
We need a government which will deliver results, not spend all its time plotting to get Independence while ignoring the real issues like a closed A83 which blights people’s lives.
Alan Reid, Councillor for Cowal ward.
On Thursday May
6,
the
Scottish Parliament
Chòmhdhail. Chaill iad rian an sin, a’ briseadh thar luchd-dìon a-staigh dhan togalach agus a’ fàgail sgrios is milleadh corporra, practaigeach, agus poilitigeach às an dèidh!
’S e moladh a bh’ aig Trump air na daoine sin na b’ fhaide air adhart is e ’g iarraidh orra tilleadh dhachaigh, ach nuair a thionndaidh fiù ’s cuid de bhuill an riaghaltais aige fhèin na aghaidh airson mar a dh’adhbharaich esan na bh’ air tachairt chuir mo liagh car-ma-chnoc is dhìt e iad gu làidir! Cha robh riamh smachd air an duine seo bho fhuair e na Cheann-suidhe air tè de na dùthchannan as cumhachdaiche san t-saoghal. Aig àm dhòmhsa bhith sgrìobhadh seo, dà latha dheug mus gabh Ceann-suidhe ùr thairis, agus a dh’aindeoin ’s gum bheil meadhanan-sòisealta air glas-ghuib a chur air ri linn a chuid theachdaireachdan brosgalach, tha Trump gun cheannsachadh fhathast ’s chan eil fios dè an tuilleadh cron a dh’fhaodadh e dèanamh mu falbh e. Ma shoirbhicheas le casaid Eucoir an aghaidh na Stàite a chur air cha bhith cead aig Trump a bhith na Cheann-suidhe a-rithist, agus saoilidh mòran gur e fìor rud math a bhiodh sin a thaobh fear a dh’ainmich nighean a bhràthar mar “an duine is cunnartaiche san t-saoghal!”
Widely accused of disgracing America’s standing in the civilised world, can impeachment prevent further civil and political outrage by Donald Trump, described by his niece Mary Trump as ‘the world’s most dangerous man’?
election will take place. This is an important election. Everyone should register with the Electoral Registry office to vote.
It does not take long. You need to give your name, address, date of birth, nationality and your National Insurance Number.
You can register online at electoralcommission.org.uk/voter, print out a paper form from there and post it, or you can contact the election team by phoning 01586 555300 and ask them to send you out a form to get registered. You can register prior to turning 16.
To vote by post, you need to tell the Electoral Registration Office that you want a postal vote. This can be done when you register, or later.
Tricia Grey, Lochgilphead.