I WAS very pleased to note your leader comment today, Fuel cost disgrace. This showed that at least some people were aware of the great damage this is causing to the Highland economy.The situation for those of us in the Highlands who have to cross over a bit of sea (no matter how small a bit) is even more desperate, and again with the Government being the ''biggest vandal''.The Herald has in the past reported on the shortest sea crossing, the infamous Skye Bridge toll, which is a burden on top of the high fuel prices.However, from our village of Uig in Skye, those who have to cross over to the Western Isles must use ferry services where the charges are extortionate, and this also is a direct result of Government policy.In our community we have discovered that if you write to Government Ministers about these issues you are either fobbed off, or more commonly ignored. This is apparently how

one ''empowers local communities'' in modern New Labour speak.Andy Anderson,Eadar Da Allt 22,Earlish, nr Portree,Isle of Skye. January 21.