Council to seek long term solutions on Highland Postbus service withdrawal

Members of The Highland Council’s TEC Services Committee today reinforced their support for the Convener of The Highland Council Councillor Sandy Park who earlier this week expressed his deep concerns at the recent decision by Royal Mail to withdraw five of the seven postbus services which serve some of the most remote and fragile areas within the Highlands.

Members noted that the that the Convener has written to the Chief Executive of the Royal Mail Group and the Minister for Employment Relations and Postal Affairs to press for the de-registration notices to be withdrawn, and for the Royal Mail to enter into meaningful discussions with The Highland Council to find mutually acceptable solutions to allow the postbus services to continue.

Royal Mail has given notice that the following five services will cease on 16 April. They are Thurso – Tongue; Bettyhill – Thurso; Diabaig – Achnasheen; Applecross – Torridon and Shieldaig – Strathcarron. The two services which are being retained are Tongue – Lairg and Drumbeg – Lochinver – Lairg.

Committtee were informed that Royal Mail wrote to the Convener yesterday confirming that they would not be changing the decision to withdraw the five postbus services. In light of this response, TECs members have delegated powers to the Director of TEC Services in consultation with the Chair of TEC Services, and local members, to put interim measures in place to protect transport services in the areas affected by the withdrawal of the five postbus services.

TEC Services staff will consult with the local communities on the longer term transport solutions for these areas. Members also approved an application from the Transport for Tongue community transport scheme which is estimated at £53,490 over two years.

Councillor John Laing, Chairman of the Council’s TEC Services Committee said: “I am delighted that the Council is able to support the Transport for Tongue community transport scheme. It is important that we put this support in place at a time when communities are under threat from the withdrawal of their postbus service. I commend the Convener’s actions in raising Highland Council’s objections at the highest levels. It is vital that we get in place measures to protect transport services in the areas affected.”

Any resource implications arising from the longer term transport solutions for the areas affected by the withdrawal of the postbus services will be reported to a future TEC Services Committee.