Jura Fast Ferry Service awarded ‘one off’ funding from Argyll and Bute Council.
Argyll and Bute Council has agreed to give the Jura Development Trust £24,000 to keep the passenger ferry service between Jura and Tayvallich operational for summer 2011. The money is a one off until the findings of the Scottish Ferries Review are known.
It has been agreed at a meeting today (June 2nd) there will be support for the Jura Development Trust from the Business Gateway team with the development of a business model. The council is fully supportive of the case the trust is putting to the Scottish Government for sustainable government funding of the Jura to Tayvallich fast ferry service through the Scottish Ferries Review.
Spokesperson for Rural and Island Affairs, Housing and Gaelic, Councillor Robin Currie said “I am absolutely delighted that Argyll and Bute Council is financially supporting the Jura passenger Service this year as the continuation of this service is vitally important to the economy of the island. Myself and others have been determined that this service continues this year because if it were not to run, it would be extremely difficult to resurrect the service next year. The Council and Jura Development Trust both agree that the funding for ferry services should be the remit of Scottish Government, so jointly we will be campaigning for the Scottish Government to take over the funding of the service in future years.”
This press release was posted in the Facebook Group “Save the Jura Passenger Ferry“
This is great news for Jura. My wife and I were enchanted with the island during our wet and windy week’s stay at the end of May. Good transport services to the mainland – or even Islay are clearly vital. Indeed, perhaps it’s also time to do something about the bathtub between Port Askaig and Feolin! Quaint on a calm day it may be…