Lorry fares’ row 18/1/12
Western Isles transport chief Donald Manford is urging the Scottish Government to halt the forthcoming massive hike in haulage ferry fares which is feared to severely hit the Hebridean economy.
Islanders face prices rises as hauliers are forced to pass on a shock jump in commercial ferry tickets.
Uist and Barra are likely to be worst affected as the price to take a 17-
Even the busiest sea route between Ullapool and Stornoway will see costs rise by
around 120% -
The huge increases are due to the Scottish Government axing its flagship road equivalent tariff (RET) scheme for commercial vehicles.
A small handful of larger transport firms would gain a discount by volume bookings but this would be insufficient to cover significant price rises.
Mr Manford echoed warnings from hauliers that the move threatens the local economy.
In a letter to Scottish transport minister Keith Brown, Mr Manford stressed the "enormous negative impact removing RET on large commercials will have on business and the economy."
He encouraged Mr Brown to "initiate a cost benefit analysis and consultation and consider suspending withdrawal of RET on commercials pending the outcome."
Otherwise "the consequences are likely to be extreme, with exporters fearing they will be unable to meet contractual obligations."
Mr Manford said that even at the 25% maximum discount for larger operators, "there is still a crippling fares increase.
"Added to that, it is unclear how islands with limited services and small communities can achieve the volume of movement which would generate maximum discount, penalising smaller communities and smaller freight companies.
"There are also specialised vehicles such as livestock and live shellfish vehicles which have comparatively less movement but are a crucial part of the economy. It is difficult to see how such vehicles could benefit from high volume movement discount."
Mr Manford said RET was a simplest and fairest method which was introduced after great efforts to achieve a fair rebate scheme.
On Monday there was an united outcry from dozens of island hauliers when they met with Scottish Government officials over the pending ticket increases.
They are furious that support for essential road transport services is being withdrawn to save £1.5 million while tourists will be subsidised by around £8 million.