SCOTLAND’S Transport Minister Graeme Dey was urged today to call an urgent summit to find solutions to the crisis on the Clyde and Hebrides ferries network.

Concerns have been raised regarding the problems facing CalMac staff, passengers and services following the failure to procure new ferries to increase resilience and capacity on the network.

Transport union RMT said SNP minister Mr Dey must intervene to resolve the significant disruption facing communities in the west of Scotland. 

RMT general secretary Mick Lynch said: “We strongly believe that a Scottish Ferries summit involving CalMac trade unions and passengers, as well as government officials from CMAL [Caledonian Maritime Assets Ltd], Transport Scotland and CalMac is urgently needed this summer. 

“RMT is part of the solution to these problems and I urge the Scottish government to agree to this constructive proposal.”

Transport Scotland said meetings had taken place to improve the current situation, with a spokeswoman telling the Star they recognise communities’ frustrations at recent disruption and other opportunities are now being explored. 

CalMac was approached for comment.