Jura ferry service gets official sanction

[Tom B]

From the Press & Journal....

"islanders have first direct link with mainland for 30 years
Published: 30/07/2008

A NEW ferry service which cuts two hours off the journey to the Inner Hebridean isle of Jura is to be officially launched on Friday.

The service, which has been up and running since June, is bringing more visitors to the island and giving islanders their first direct ferry link with the mainland in 30 years. The passenger service between Craighouse on Jura and Tayvallich on the Argyll mainland is operated by a 36ft Rigid Inflatable Boat.

It gets islanders to Tayvallich, Mid Argyll, in just 55 minutes. The alternative link to the mainland is a three-hour journey to Kennacraig, Kintyre, via Islay.

The three-year summer pilot is subsidised by Argyll and Bute Council and implemented by the Jura Initiative at the Edge group as well as the Jura Development Trust.

It has attracted funding from Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) for major infrastructure improvements at Craighouse, which have just been completed.

Councillor Duncan MacIntyre, Argyll and Bute Council's roads and transportation spokesman, said: “These improvements at Craighouse are to be welcomed with open arms." The service runs every day, apart from Tuesday, until September 29, with four crossings each day, two in each direction, at a cost of £30 for a return trip. Next summer and the year after the service will run from April to September.

HIE gave the Jura Development Trust £140,510 towards to cost of three new pontoons, a bridge at the old stone pier and improvements to its surroundings.

A safe passage has been created into the pier and hazardous seabed debris has been removed. An extra eight moorings have been provided for visiting boats bringing the total available in the Craighouse bay to 16. The Jura Development Trust also secured funding from Crown Estates, Argyll and Bute Council and Initiative at the Edge.

HIE development manager Colin Mclean said: “The project aims to boost the level of economic activity and visitor spend on Jura as well as enhance the sustainability of local businesses."

Isle of Jura Development Trust development officer Elaine Campbell said: “We are delighted to have this project finally realised and fully support the benefits it will bring to the island."

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