Highland Cross transport crisis averted at 11th hour after Highland Council and companies steps in to breach
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AN 11th hour crisis which threatened to derail the Highland Cross duathlon has been averted after the council and companies stepped into the breach to cover a transport shortfall.
Highland Cross organisers were dealt a bitter blow just three days before this Saturday's popular event after one of the bus companies which had been providing transport to the start point at Morvich pulled out of its contract.
It left the organisers five buses short of what was needed to ferry the hundreds of participants to the start on the west coast.
The crisis left organisers scrabbling to find alternatives, amid fears that more than 130 participants would have to be dropped from the race unless they could make their own way there. A ballot was also being actively considered to decide which teams might have to be cut from the roster.
Related: Highland Cross 'working flat out' after transport crisis threat
But after "working flat out" and praising the public and "lots of good folk" for trying to help them out, organisers successfully plugged the shortfall thanks to the help of Highland Council and managers of other bus companies.
Highland Council has confirmed that three of its 77-seat double-deckers, which are used on its in-house bus services, have been offered.
Chairman of the council’s economy and infrastructure committee, Councillor Ken Gowans said: “We were delighted to be able to assist the event organisers are very short notice by making three of our double-decker buses available. I wish all the competitors, spectators and organisers a very successful event.”
The Highland Cross organising committee has also taken to social media in the last five minutes (3.20pm) to confirm that Highland Council, the management of two other bus companies and community groups had helped it to successfully plug the gap.
"The organising committee cannot adequately express their gratitude for the outpouring of support that we have received over the last 24 hours – it has been truly overwhelming.
"Due to the amazing work of Highland Council councillors and officials, the management of DE Coaches and Frasers’ Coaches, participants and a raft of community groups we have secured enough transport for Highland Cross to go ahead without a ballot to reduce numbers.
"Due to this amazing support we request that teams now travel on their original choice of bus departure point and time.
"Due to the narrow roads and there being no parking at Morvich we would stress that our preferred option is that teams now return to their originally booked bus transport."
The committee's Calum Munro added: “We are all deeply indebted to Highland Council members and officials for their assistance in finding a solution to the transport issues faced by us, at extremely short notice.”
Highlands and Islands Conservative MSP Edward Mountain hailed the council for "stepping up".
Congratulating them, he said: “It was deeply disappointing to learn that this event was at risk of being severely impacted by a bus operator pulling out at the last minute.
“So I’m delighted that the Highland Cross can now go ahead as planned as it will likely raise hundreds of thousands of pounds for charities.
“I wish all participants, volunteers and organisers of the Highland Cross every success this weekend.”
The Highland Cross is a 50-mile duathlon (20 miles on foot, 30 miles on bike) traversing the Highlands from the west coast to the east coast –setting off from Kintail and on through Glen Affric and Strathglass to Beauly.
The annual event raises money for causes that benefit the people of Highland, disadvantaged by disability, ill health or social need.
Entry to the Highland Cross is by invitation only and on Saturday 265 teams of three (795 persons) of all athletic abilities will be taking part.
