LOCAL NEWS 20 APRIL 2023

MSP Grant to quiz First Minister on unprecedented ferry disruption

Highlands and Islands MSP Rhoda Grant is set to quiz First Minister Humza Yousaf today over disruption to the ferry network across the two regions.

Ms Grant has lodged a question for Mr Yousaf at this afternoon session of First Minister’s Questions – asking what immediate action the Scottish Goverment will take to improve ferry services across the Highlands and Islands amid recent unprecedented disruption.

On Monday, Robbie Drummond, chief executive of CalMac announced that the ferry operator had decided to defer the launch of its new booking and ticketing platform –  from 25th April to 16th May – to focus on handling urgent issues relating to the disruption and delays to many of its services.

In January, the CalMac CEO revealed that nearly two fifths of its fleet were more than 30 years old, with the general life expectancy of vessels 25-30 years.

In March, the MV Hebrides vessel serving Uig, Lochmaddy and Tarbert was forced to return to Uig after a fire broke out in the engine room of the vessel.

Audit Scotland’s most recent report states that the two new vessels under construction, which will join CalMac’s fleet, are currently estimated to cost £293 million, with delivery already five years late – despite additional Scottish Government funding in 2022/23 and 2023/24.

Skye school bus goes off road on A87

A school bus carrying school pupils from Portree to Kyle went off road after being involved in a road traffic incident.

No one was injured in the incident in which resulted in the vehicle going off the road on A87 south of Sconser around Drum nan Cleoc.

A Police Scotland spokesperson told Radio Skye:  “Around 4.30pm on Wednesday, 19 April, 2023, police received a report of a bus coming off the road on the A87 on the Isle of Skye. Recovery was arranged.”

No injuries were reported.

Portree High School later confirmed that all the pupils were safe following the incident and were transferred onto alternative buses to continue their journey.

Scottish Goverment must improve to deliver climate goals

The Scottish Goverment needs to improve to deliver the country’s climate change goals.

That’s according to a new report published today by Audit Scotland.

The report states that although the government’s climate governance has improved since the former First Minister declared a climate emergency in 2019 its adaption to the impact of climate change has received less focus than reducing emissions and hitting net zero targets.

It goes on to add that there are gaps in reporting, making it difficult to assess progress against climate policy. And there has been no workforce plan for climate change since the Net Zero department was established in late 2021.

However, one is expected in spring 2023.

Stephen Boyle, Auditor General for Scotland, said: “The Scottish Government’s set up for responding to the climate crisis has constantly evolved since 2019. But the different parts of government could be better co-ordinated.

“The government’s risk management arrangements also need to improve, particularly the work needed to ensure Scotland adapts to the impact of climate change.”

He added: “Work is ongoing across the Scottish Government to tackle these organisational weaknesses, and it’s vital that happens quickly given the urgency of the climate situation.”

 

News by Adam Gordon

Bus photo credit: Moray Walker.

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