A NEW £42 million car ferry is unlikely to be fully operational on a vital island route until almost June - some nine months later than planned.
As disquiet grows over the delay, Minister for Transport and Islands Derek Mackay convened the first meeting of a taskforce of interested parties to discuss the Stornoway/Ullapool service.
The problem is not with the new Loch Seaforth vessel, but work still needs to be done to the berthing facilities at Stornoway and Ullapool.
Mr Mackay said "Everybody involved in this project wants the work to be completed and see the MV Loch Seaforth operating on the Stornoway-Ullapool route as soon as possible. "
He said the Stornoway Port Authority estimated the work required would now finish in early February, which will allow Calmac to bring the MV Loch Seaforth into service.
But she will only be able to carry vehicles until April 20 when five weeks work to replace the linkspan at Ullapool begins to allow more vessels to use it.
During that time vehicles will have to ferried to Uig on Skye by the current car ferry and freight vessel, while the Loch Seaforth will carry passengers to Ullapool.
"Ultimately, we would like to see the infrastructure works completed and the MV Loch Seaforth fully deployed on the Stornoway-Ullapool route by the end of May, and all the organisations involved have agreed to work towards this target," Mr Mackay said.
But two island hauliers were not placated. David Wood of Woody's Express and D.R Macleod Ltd issued a statement: "We and many others made the case for a two-ferry solution for the Stornoway-Ullapool route, but these pleas were ignored.
"We also share the concerns of our colleagues in the tourism industry that the unacceptable delay is already impacting the islands' economy."
But a Transport Scotland spokesman aid "We have agreed to fund the MV Isle of Lewis to remain on stand-by until users are satisfied with the reliability and resilience of the new vessel."
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