auliers angry ver ferry
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The MacBrayne car ferry Iona, which ame into operation on Monday (May I) tween Stornoway and Kyle, is expected o be. sailing into troubled waters because he company has refused a booking from sland haulage contractors.
They were informed that no bookings ould be taken for commercial vehicles on the vessel — despite the fact that MacBrayne has already advertised in its summer brochure that the commercial rate for vehicles will be £1.25 per foot, which includes pier dues.
The decision also appears to contradict a statement recently made by the Secretary of State about "improved services for island shipping."
Mr Frank Morrison, a director of the haulage firm which made the booking for May S, said last week: "I do not regard this as an improvement in the service. If they cannot take our bookings—which we made on behalf of clients — it means that we will have to take the longer and much more expensive route through Harris and Skye.
Mr Donald J. Stewart; MP for the Western Isles, said MacBrayne's edict was a "gross breach of faith," because the company had assured everyone that the vessel was suitable for the requirements of the Stornoway run.