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Ferry in harbour dispute
A ferry operator claims he is being prevented from cutting the sailing time to Orkney by 50%, because Orkney Islands Council is determined to protect the Scottish Executive's rival interests.
Andrew Banks, managing director of Pentland Ferries, is prepared to complain to the European Commission if the council, as harbour authority, continues to refuse access to Burwick Harbour, at the southern end of South Ronaldsay.
Since 2001, Pentland Ferries has been running a car ferry between Gills Bay in Caithness and St Margaret's Hope at the north end of South Ronaldsay, which takes just over an hour.
Mr Banks said that if he were allowed to sail to and from Burwick, the sailing time could be cut to 30 minutes and allow eight round trips a day during the summer.
The Northlink service between Scrabster and Stromness, which the executive supports with a subsidy of £31m a year, takes 90 minutes.
Pentland does not want a subsidy but wants an opportunity to introduce a new service. Mr Banks said he resented that the council had postponed consideration of his request, citing the impact on the lifeline service (Scrabster / Stromness) as one of the reasons.
Mr Banks said: "The reason why OIC is refusing or delaying Pentland Ferries access to Burwick is clearly to placate vested interests."
A council spokesman said the transportation committee had recommended further consideration before a decision on Pentland's request was taken. More information was being sought from the company.
Andrew Banks, managing director of Pentland Ferries, is prepared to complain to the European Commission if the council, as harbour authority, continues to refuse access to Burwick Harbour, at the southern end of South Ronaldsay.
Since 2001, Pentland Ferries has been running a car ferry between Gills Bay in Caithness and St Margaret's Hope at the north end of South Ronaldsay, which takes just over an hour.
Mr Banks said that if he were allowed to sail to and from Burwick, the sailing time could be cut to 30 minutes and allow eight round trips a day during the summer.
The Northlink service between Scrabster and Stromness, which the executive supports with a subsidy of £31m a year, takes 90 minutes.
Pentland does not want a subsidy but wants an opportunity to introduce a new service. Mr Banks said he resented that the council had postponed consideration of his request, citing the impact on the lifeline service (Scrabster / Stromness) as one of the reasons.
Mr Banks said: "The reason why OIC is refusing or delaying Pentland Ferries access to Burwick is clearly to placate vested interests."
A council spokesman said the transportation committee had recommended further consideration before a decision on Pentland's request was taken. More information was being sought from the company.
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