Poll candidate’s concern over postal vote delay

Torcuil Crichton has expressed concern that delivery of postal vote packs for the general election have been delayed in some parts of Na h-Eileanan an Iar.

Candidates were informed on Monday that Royal Mail will be delivering postal packs in Lewis and Harris on Monday and Tuesday but that Uist and Barra packs will not be delivered until later in the week.

The explanation from the islands’ returning officer is that Uist and Barra packs were apparently sent to Stornoway rather than Benbecula for distribution.

Labour candidate Mr Crichton said: “In other parts of Scotland people have already started voting for change. With such a large number of postal voters in Na h-Eileanan an Iar I hope that the delays can quickly be overcome and that people can start voting as soon as their postal packs arrive.”

He added: “People want to vote for change. There is only one way to guarantee a Labour government on July 4th and that is to vote Labour to end years of chaos and incompetence from the SNP and the Tories.”

Meanwhile Na h-Eileanan an Iar’s Independent candidate Angus MacNeil is pressing for clearer signage to be visible on island roads to raise awareness of the use of passing places on single track roads.

Angus MacNeil said: “With increasing numbers of visitors coming to the islands, the correct use of passing places should be promoted more to motorists unfamiliar with single track roads. This would ensure that they understand that passing places are not just for oncoming traffic but also to allow traffic behind to pass.

“This is a particular problem with vehicles coming off ferries when there can be a convoy of vehicles behind someone who may be driving on a single-track road for the first time and does not realise that passing places should be used to allow for overtaking as well as giving way to oncoming vehicles. Perhaps Cal Mac should modify announcements too. 

“This can be very frustrating for locals, particularly when people are driving very slowly, admiring the scenery but do not use passing places to allow for overtaking.  Even the idea of overtaking usually implies both moving.  In reality, slow traffic has to go into passing places to let other vehicles pass. 

“Locals going about their day-to-day business can often find themselves not progressing very far and this causes stress when they might have other transport links to catch, appointments or work commitments.

“This problem is becoming more acute each summer as visitor numbers increase and while we warmly welcome visitors, it must be understood that passing places are not just for oncoming traffic but also to allow for overtaking. We must also understand that not everyone knows how single-track road work, but when they do, people are happy to pull in.  We have to communicate politely so that visitors better understand.”