A luggage service is being introduced for foot passengers affected by the broken
gangway issue on the Stornoway -
For the past 12 months travellers have been forced to board and disembark the vessel via the linkspan, car ramp, and vehicle deck due to covered walkway system which links the CalMac ferry, MV Loch Seaforth, to the Stornoway terminal building remaining out of action.
Lugging suitcases, holdalls, and pushchairs across the deck and up the ship’s stairways is a very cumbersome and vexing process.
Passengers also need to hold back until the car deck has emptied before being allowed to get off at Stornoway.
Repairing the present walkway is unlikely due to the “substantial” price tag. Now other replacement options are being explored.
Worried that the situation “could drag on for some significant time,” Stornoway Community
Council urged the set-
The community council say the present arrangements “give a poor first impression of Stornoway to visitors (and) foot passengers have to risk slipping on a [potential] oily patch on the car deck.”
They are particularly concerned for elderly, infirm or disabled people enduring a “long trudge” in adverse weather conditions, to and from the ferry terminal.
Stornoway Port Authority -
Alex Macleod, chief executive at Stornoway Port, said: “We understand the concerns regarding the Passenger Access System, and we want to reassure passengers that resolving this issue is our top priority.
“CalMac Ferries have confirmed that a luggage service will commence on Monday, December 9th to assist foot passengers travelling between the ferry and the harbour.
“We are working closely with CalMac and Ullapool Harbour to ensure this service runs smoothly.
“CalMac staff are also available to assist foot passengers embarking and disembarking at Stornoway, if requested.”
He added: “We know this situation has been inconvenient, and we’re grateful for the patience and cooperation of all passengers.
“We are committed to finding a long-
The harbour authority previously explained a failure of a safety critical element within the Passenger Access System occurred in December 2023. A similar but less serious incident earlier in the year had been repaired by the third party supplier of the system.
The walkway system will remain out of commission until further notice, with no long-