Caledonian MacBrayne has caved to pressure and agreed to look again over plans to leave the Western Isles’ main route without a car ferry for six weeks.
Western Isles MP Angus MacNeil and leaders at Comhairle nan Eilean Siar have both called for an urgent rethink over the major works at the mainland port of Ullapool.
A temporary car ferry service direct between Stornoway and Skye is planned to run from February 22 until April 7.
Ferry travellers will have to endure middle-of-the-night sailings while the Ullapool linkspan is being replaced.
The disruption will hit the very busy Easter holiday period, with Western Isles schools breaking up on March 27.
Following a meeting, ferry bosses have now agreed to review their plan.
Councillor John Mackay, chairman of the Western Isles Council’s transport and infrastructure committee, said: “This was a very encouraging meeting which all agreed should have taken place earlier.
“However, Cal Mac were made very aware of the concerns amongst the local community and have agreed that alternatives should be fully explored. They will come back to the council with options within the next week or so and I am optimistic that we can find better options than that currently on the table in terms of minimising disruption to services and the travelling public.”
Mr MacNeil has asked that the work schedule be reviewed and possibly postponed until next winter.
CalMac says the works are “a series of investments in Ullapool harbour and will significantly enhance ferry services to the Western Isles for the long term”.
Martin Dorchester, managing director of CalMac said: “We realise however that for a limited time this will cause significant inconvenience for our customers and we will be speaking to them in detail about what the best options for travel for them during these improvement works.”