Western Isles Council is calling on the UK Government to use part of the new cash fund announced in the Autumn Statement for a second Emergency Towing vessel based on the west coast of Scotland.
The Chancellor has announced that £102million of LIBOR fines collected from banks who break the rules will be used for civil resilience and community safety.
It is designed to be used to fund such things as emergency services and armed forces charities, children’s hospitals, air ambulances and emergency responders over the next four years.
Now Western Isles Council want some of the cash to be used for second ETV.
Council leader Angus Campbell said: “We have long campaigned for the reinstatement of a second ETV based on the west coast of Scotland.
“This is the perfect opportunity for UK Government to utilise – what would equate to less than 2% of this fund set aside for civil resilience and community safety – to protect the lives of mariners and to protect the environment.
“We have had numerous incidents on the west coast over recent years, the most recent of which saw the Transocean Winner oil rig coming ashore at Dalmore which could have seriously impacted marine wildlife and the coastal environment.
“We also have nuclear waste being transported through the Minches and other dangerous cargoes which could lead to a disaster for the west of Scotland. Surely the UK Government could spend a small amount of money on decreasing the risks.”