The ongoing issue of the passenger access system was discussed at length at the meeting of Comhairle nan Eilean Siar’s Transportation and Infrastructure Committee on 18 June 2025. Elected Members shared their concerns over the ongoing situation and expressed the urgent need for a solution.

The passenger gangway at Stornoway has been out of use for more than a year with passengers embarking and disembarking at Stornoway by the ferry’s car deck.

In a comment provided to the Stornoway Gazette on 19 June 2025 Alex Macleod, Chief Executive of Stornoway Port Authority, stated that the SPA hopes to go out to tender for the works in the next few weeks.

Commenting on the ongoing issues with the passenger access system Cllr Robertson said: 

“It is encouraging to hear that SPA hopes to go to tender for a new Passenger Access System in the next few weeks. It is now important that a clear timetable for the full restoration of the passenger access system is shared with the Comhairle, CalMac and the public. Passenger access in Stornoway has gone from state of the art to rudimentary and this situation cannot be allowed to continue indefinitely.”

Stornoway Port Authority has previously attributed delays in the work to ongoing challenges in the insurance process.

The SPA statement in January stated: “Following the failure of the Passenger Access System, the Port Authority engaged a specialised team of external consultants to comprehensively assess the PAS and provide recommendations on the way forward.