Highlands and Islands MSP Donald Cameron has claimed that his region is facing a “triple whammy” of disruption to its transport links.

The Scottish Conservative MSP said that local residents and businesses are in despair at the possibility of strike action in the region’s ferries and airports, which threatens to compound the disruption caused by recurring road closures.

He said: “Local residents have had to cope with 60-mile diversions as a result of the A83 being closed for nearly 12 weeks since August.

“They now face the prospect of even more problems with the ferry service, already compromised by the failure of ministers to deliver the promised new ferries on time and, on top of that, they have failed to convince airport staff that the proposed changes to air traffic control are fit-for-purpose.

“Our region desperately needs to see a light at the end of the tunnel after the devastation wreaked on its tourism and hospitality sector and instead of that we are faced with this triple whammy of disruption affecting road, air and sea.

“SNP ministers need to get a grip on this very serious situation which is undermining business confidence and the jobs and investment we need to rebuild our economy.”