This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/scotland/highlands_and_islands/7003837.stm
The article has changed 4 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 1 | Version 2 |
|---|---|
| CalMac ferry contract confirmed | CalMac ferry contract confirmed |
| (about 3 hours later) | |
| Ministers have confirmed that ferry operator Caledonian MacBrayne has been awarded the contract to run the Clyde and Hebrides services. | Ministers have confirmed that ferry operator Caledonian MacBrayne has been awarded the contract to run the Clyde and Hebrides services. |
| It formally marks the end of the previous Scottish Government's controversial tendering process. | It formally marks the end of the previous Scottish Government's controversial tendering process. |
| State-owned CalMac, which already operates the services, was forced to tender for the routes in a bid to satisfy European competition rules. | State-owned CalMac, which already operates the services, was forced to tender for the routes in a bid to satisfy European competition rules. |
| Two private operators who expressed an interest pulled out of the process. | Two private operators who expressed an interest pulled out of the process. |
| After a parliamentary battle, the previous Labour/Lib Dem administration finally persuaded Holyrood that offering CalMac routes to the private sector was the only way of satisfying EU competition demands. | After a parliamentary battle, the previous Labour/Lib Dem administration finally persuaded Holyrood that offering CalMac routes to the private sector was the only way of satisfying EU competition demands. |
| It is extremely disappointing that the government appears not to have seen the value of the Lochboisdale-Mallaig route Donald ManfordWestern Isles transportation chairman | |
| In the event, the only private operators who expressed interest in the more than 20 routes - the offshore company V Ships, and Dunoon's Western Ferries - pulled out. | In the event, the only private operators who expressed interest in the more than 20 routes - the offshore company V Ships, and Dunoon's Western Ferries - pulled out. |
| This left CalMac as the only bidder. | This left CalMac as the only bidder. |
| Despite bitterly opposing the process, the incoming SNP administration decided to see it out as the quickest way of settling the six year contract, which last year cost the taxpayer about £30m. | Despite bitterly opposing the process, the incoming SNP administration decided to see it out as the quickest way of settling the six year contract, which last year cost the taxpayer about £30m. |
| However Gourock to Dunoon, where even CalMac failed to bid, remains to be settled. | However Gourock to Dunoon, where even CalMac failed to bid, remains to be settled. |
| The announcement on the Clyde and Hebrides routes was followed by criticism from a senior councillor on the Western Isles. | |
| 'Unnecessary paperwork | |
| Comhairle nan Eilean Siar's chairman of transportation, Donald Manford, said he was disappointed a route from the isles to the mainland had not been included. | |
| He said: "I am pleased that this whole beauracratic process has finally been brought to an end though saddened that millions have been spent on unnecessary paperwork rather than on improving services. | |
| "It is extremely disappointing that the government appears not to have seen the value of the Lochboisdale-Mallaig route and the benefits to the area that would have brought." |