Transport / ‘Lang lippened’ changes made to Bressay ferry timetable at community’s request
THE BRESSAY ferry timetable is to begin earlier in the morning after a request from the island’s community council.
The changes, which will commence from Wednesday (3 September), will see the first run from Bressay to Lerwick take place at 6am instead of the current 7am.
The hope is that it can give residents improved access to employment opportunities and healthcare.
Bressay Community Council chairman Lindsay Tulloch said it was a “positive step”.
“It will make it possible for residents to travel to Aberdeen and back in a single day to access vital healthcare and treatment, while also opening up greater opportunities for residents to seek employment in the industrial sectors developing across Shetland,” he said.
Tulloch said he would like to thank Shetland Islands Council’s (SIC) ferry services team for listening to the concerns of residents.
Meanwhile the SIC’s environment and transport chair Moraig Lyall welcomed the fact that a community request has resulted in change.
“I am delighted that changes to the shift pattern of the ferry staff had facilitated enabling this change to the ferry timetable which Bressay residents have been seeking for some time,” she said.
“Improving connectivity to our islands is one of the principal goals of our transport strategy and this is a minor but welcome step in that direction.
“So often when folk come asking for service changes there are barriers to making it happen so it’s great that on this occasion the community asked and we’ve been able to deliver.”
A post on the Bressay Community Council Facebook page described the changes as “lang lippened” which have come after years of lobbying.
After the 6am start there will also runs from Lerwick at 6.15am and 6.45am, and from Bressay at 6.30am, before the normal timetable resumes.
There will also be sailings from Bressay at 6.15pm and from Lerwick at 6.30pm before the normal timetable resumes again.
The community council also said it will “continue to negotiate other timetable changes in the near future”.
Become a member of Shetland News
Shetland News is asking its readers to consider paying for membership to get additional perks:
- Removal of third-party ads;
- Bookmark posts to read later;
- Exclusive curated weekly newsletter;
- Hide membership messages;
- Comments open for discussion.
If you appreciate what we do and feel strongly about impartial local journalism, then please become a member of Shetland News by either making a single payment, or setting up a monthly, quarterly or yearly subscription.
Already a member? Sign in to hide this message.
