Na h-Eileanan an Iar SNP MP Angus MacNeil asks Transport Scotland to think again about trialling MV Pentalina on the West Coast.

In response to his letter of February 22nd to Transport Minister Michael Matheson – which was responded to by Transport Scotland – it was stated that there were no immediate plans to charter an additional vessel but that the matter would be kept under review.

Mr MacNeil said: “It is time for Transport Scotland to think again and to trial MV Pentalina in the ports and crossings on the West Coast.

“We know there are huge pressures on the ferries on the West Coast given the debacle around the yard on the Clyde.

“Meantime, the most pressing issue is to get the MV Pentalina trialled on the West Coast and the sooner this happens the better.

“Calmac would, I think, like to use the MV Pentalina but they’ve got many layers of bureaucracy to get through, not least CMAL and Transport Scotland.

“Perhaps the MV Pentalina should be officially requested by CalMac for trial and see where that takes us.”