Those of us who use the Corran Ferry fairly frequently know that restrictions apply to the carriage of certain hazardous goods. For example, if a loaded petrol tanker comes on board, the number of cars that can be carried with it is reduced, and there are signs warning that users must not bring cans of fuel onto the ferry. But it was with some considerable surprise that the owner of this trailer-load of straw learned that he couldn't take it on the ferry at all because it was dangerous.It transpired that it wasn't the straw as such that was the hazard. It's okay to take a load of straw across on the ferry, but it has to be completely covered, although it would have been all right to transport this load if it had been accompanied by some sort of fire hazard certificate.
The Diary is quite certain that there is a profound logic behind the ruling that straw is less hazardous covered than uncovered, which it might feel more willing to accept if there was some way of checking what loads are permissible and the rules about stowage before setting out. There's no shortage of signs at the slipway on the Nether Lochaber side - in fact they seem to be growing like weeds - but none that warn of any restrictions except fuel cans. And Highland Council's website seems to have only one reference to the Corran ferry (here), and that links to a page on Lochaber Transport Forum's website which gives information on timetables and fares.
So anyone worried about what they may of may not carry across Corran will need to phone Highland Council TEC Services on 01397 709 000.
We've had the same problem in Orkney too! It's doubly difficult on our wee Graemsay ferry which is lift-on-lift-off only, so getting bales of straw over has been a challenge and has annoyed local farmers. As you say there is presumably some logic to the new ruling but it's hard to see what it is. On our ferry "hazardous goods" can only be transported on certain days eg fuel, so it just adds to the challenge for crofters/farmers to get supplies delivered. The ruling applies on the other Orkney Islands ro-ro ferries too - eg tarpaulin covered on trailers = good .... uncovered or only partially covered on trailers = bad....
ReplyDeleteDo let me know if you find out the logic and I'll pass it on!
Hi Sian -
ReplyDeleteYes, we're going to try to find out what is behind this. The person who was involved with the straw had been crossing at Corran for many years, so perhaps it is something new that someone forgot to tell us about.
Will let you know
Jon
Jon - Orkney Ferries introduced the regulations only this summer. So it sounds a fairly recent thing - maybe another MCA rule?
ReplyDeleteHi Sian -
ReplyDeleteI checked with both Highland Council TEC Services and the Corran Ferry office, and they assure me that no new regulations have been brought in - so it isn't the MCA this time. Perhaps it's just that Corran is tightening up.
Jon