Councillors meet to discuss ferry announcement

The newly elected Orkney Islands Councillors have today, Tuesday,  been briefed on the detail contained in the Northern Isles ferry services announcement.

OIC chief executive Albert Tait said that there were a “number of unknowns” to be pursued following the announcement, which named Serco as the preferred bidder.

These include details of any new timetables, the freight service arrangements, and the question of job security for those already employed on the ships, as well as in shoreside posts here in Orkney.

Following the briefing Mr Tait said: “Members agreed we needed to pursue these points as a matter of urgency.

“In addition, we’ll be seeking detail to clarify what measures there will be under the new contract for getting cattle off the island in peak market times.

“We’ll also be asking how the potential lack of capacity for vehicles and cabin spaces on the Kirkwall to Aberdeen route will be addressed as a result of contract changes if, for example, there is a reduction of freight services – which might just see freight being shunted onto passenger ferry services.”