Steamship Company wins postal contract - Isle of Scilly.

[TrueBlueTerrier]

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THE CONTRACT to transport post to and from the islands has been won by the Isles of Scilly Steamship Company.

Signing the two-year deal with the Royal Mail Group, the company will carry post from the mainland by Skybus.


The Scillonian III or the Gry Maritha will be used as back-up if the mail can't be transported by air.

"As a company, we have served the Isles of Scilly for more than 90 years and are committed to the islands and its communities," said Jeff Marston, chief executive of the Steamship Company.

"We have a long history of working with the Royal Mail and are pleased to be able to provide three delivery options for post on the islands. Maintaining this link to the mainland is extremely important and all part of the lifeline service we provide through Skybus, Scillonian III and the Gry Maritha."

The Cornishman reported in June that British International Helicopters (BIH) had flown the post on an ad hoc basis for years, but after the service was put out to tender, Tony Jones, managing director of BIH, said a "contractual obligation" didn't sit with the company's business strategy.

Just over a month later, BIH announced that its helicopter service would stop at the end of the summer after last-minute legal challenges were lodged against Cornwall Council's decision to give approval for Sainsbury's to build a new supermarket at the heliport.

Under the new Steamship Company service, post will be delivered to Land's End airport by Royal Mail from Monday through to Saturday. It will be flown to arrive on the islands before 9.30am.

[Lounge Lizard]

"BIH announced that its helicopter service would stop at the end of the summer after last-minute legal challenges were lodged against Cornwall Council's decision to give approval for Sainsbury's to build a new supermarket at the heliport." - so Penzance getting another supermarket is deemed more important than the Isle of Scilly having an air link with the mainland ?
Or have I got it wrong ?