Comhairle nan Eilean Siar has backed the development of fixed road links across the Sound of Harris and the Sound of Barra, while ruling out support for a bridge or tunnel to the Scottish mainland. The Comhairle’s submission states that completing the Western Isles spinal transport route through fixed links would cut journey times, improve reliability, and strengthen economic and social ties between communities. The Sound of Harris service, operated by MV Loch Portain, is constrained by daylight-only operations, tidal restrictions, weather cancellations and limited capacity. A fixed link would “allow free access across the islands without the constraint of a timetable,” the submission states. The Comhairle states it will develop a consultation document with Transport Scotland to gauge community views on the fixed links.