Council claims shops faced empty shelves due to sailing disruptions to Islay

Shops have faced empty shelves as a result of disruptions in sailings to Islay, a councillor has claimed.

Transport chiefs have hit back, hailing the “extremely reliable” recent service to the island, except for a period of challenging weather last month.

Councillor Alastair Redman contacted the Local Democracy Reporting Service voicing his concerns, and sent screenshots of social media posts with empty shop shelves.

He spoke of the “significant challenges” for the community on the island, which he said impacted residents and local businesses.

He said: “Our shops, once vibrant and well-stocked, now face empty shelves, depriving residents of essential goods and services.

“This situation is not only inconvenient but also threatens the economic stability of our local businesses, which rely heavily on consistent supply lines.

“I am deeply concerned and disappointed with the management of Caledonian MacBrayne (CalMac). Their inability to ensure reliable and timely sailings to our islands has exposed severe deficiencies in their operational and logistical planning.

“The communities of Islay and Jura depend on these sailings for daily necessities, and the current state of affairs is unacceptable.”

Councillor Redman added: “It is crucial for CalMac to address these issues immediately, improving their service and communication with the communities they serve.

“The wellbeing of our residents and the vitality of our local economy are at stake. We deserve a transportation system that is dependable and capable of meeting the needs of our island.”

“I call upon CalMac’s management to take urgent and transparent action to resolve these disruptions. Furthermore, I urge the relevant authorities to hold CalMac accountable and to explore alternative solutions to prevent such occurrences in the future.

“Our community deserves better, and it is time for a significant change to ensure the sustainability and prosperity of Islay and Jura.”

A CalMac spokeswoman said: “Services to and from Islay have been extremely reliable recently, apart from a short period at the end of June when there was unavoidable disruption caused by poor weather conditions.

“This did lead to a slight delay in essential services being delivered but we worked closely with suppliers to transport these goods as quickly as possible.

“Port Askaig has been closed since June 19, so that essential work is carried out to ensure that the island is ready for the two new vessels we will be welcoming onto the Islay route, with all vessels being rerouted via Port Ellen until July 30.

“Any port closure is challenging for customers, which is why we carefully planned temporary timetables in consultation with the local community.

“We always aim to provide the best experience for all customers, and we are sorry when we are not always able to do so. Our recently launched enhancement plan will ensure stronger relationships and communication with local communities and customers, which will lead to a marked improvement in service.

“We are looking forward to the new vessels for Islay joining the CalMac fleet over the next year, their addition will increase resilience and will also significantly increase the number of passengers and vehicles we can carry on this route.”