Western Isles MSP obtains meeting for hauliers

SNP MSP for Na h-Eileanan an Iar, Alasdair Allan, today confirmed that Keith Brown, Minister for Transport, has agreed to his request for a meeting with hauliers about the changes in ferry fares for commercial vehicles.

Dr Allan is currently arranging the details of the meeting, and is pressing the Minister for an early meeting.

Alasdair Allan commented:

“It is very clear both from the meeting I chaired recently in the Western Isles and from the correspondence I have had since that many companies in the islands want to raise this directly and urgently with the Transport Minister.

“I am currently arranging such a meeting and am pleased that this morning the Transport Minister has indicated his willingness to do this.

“I believe it is right that the companies which will be affected by changes to the fair structure have a chance to voice their concerns directly.

“They have indicated that these concerns include what they feel was a lack of consultation around the decisions and the impact which this will have on their companies.

“I am also presently making a strong case to the Transport Minister that any new system of discounts for commercial vehicles is one which benefits all haulage companies, and not just a few, as was the case with discount schemes in the past.

“It is obvious how strong feelings are among these companies and as local MSP I have conveyed this to the Government.”

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