Islanders on Luing can expect tweaks to their ferry timetable rather than major changes, a public meeting has heard.
Restrictions on ferry crew’s working hours and Argyll and Bute Council’s budget means that any adjustments to the lifeline service would be limited for now.
The council says it hopes to be able to make reasonable adjustments that improve the service in the short term.
A survey is due out soon for islanders to take part in a long-awaited review of the service that ferries people and vehicles between Luing and Seil on the 53-year-old MV Belnahua.
Luing CC convenor Innes MacQueen said: "The ferry is Luing’s lifeline and hugely important to the community. For some people it’s whether they get to work on time, or the kids get to school on time, or residents get the care they need. This survey will allow us to collaborate with the council with the aim to creating a more coherent timetable for the community that lives here today."
The public meeting, held online because of Storm Jocelyn, was joined by about 25 people asking questions and getting answers from Argyll and Bute Council transport officials.
Improvements suggested at the meeting included the possibility of earlier sailings than 11am on a Sunday so people could get to church services and also before 7.30am on a weekday for people needing to get to Oban for an 8am work start.
The idea of extending the summer timetable, which gives later sailings for cars than stopping at 6.15pm, was also floated.
A plan to eventually replace the ageing MV Belnahua with Jura’s vessel could still be about five years or more away, the meeting was told.
An Argyll and Bute spokesperson said the council was impressed by the work carried out by Luing Community Council and residents, and is happy to work with them via the Participation request to review the ferry timetable and support their vision for a growing community.
They said: "We’re grateful to the community council for organising and managing the survey process.
"By understanding how the people of Luing use the ferry, and by explaining the reasons behind why the timetable works as it currently does, in partnership, we hope to be able to make reasonable adjustments that improve the service in the short term.
"Consideration will be given to any suggestions put forward via the questionnaire and we will work with the Community Council to reach a consensus.
“We are also keen to understand from the survey how we might be able to support improved transportation to and from the island in the future which supports the long-term aims for Luing," added the spokesperson.
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