Mayor backs protest march

Tórshavn City Council has announced its support for today’s protest march against unreliable ferry services.

Mayor Annika Olsen says in a press release that the de-prioritisation of the ferry service to Hestur has made life unbearable for the locals, and that this could force the few remaining inhabitants to leave the island for good.

‘Ternan’ is currently docked for repairs, which has caused considerable disturbances in ferry services around the islands for weeks, especially services to the outlying islands.

‘Ternan’ is the lifeblood for people in Nólsoy. But the ferry is far too often being placed on other routes, so even when it is in ‘regular service’, the locals cannot rely on it, says the mayor.

“The replacement ferries are in poor condition. They are too old and too small, and far too often their trips are cancelled due to poor weather,” she says.

“This is unacceptable. If we wish to maintain our cultural diversity, the national authorities need to start treating all ferry services equally and show more respect for the smaller islands.”

The protest march from the Bursatangi landing quay to the government building in Tinganes is scheduled to take place today at 2pm.

Translated by prosa.fo.