CalMac considers diverting ferries from Tarbert route

CalMac is considering diverting ferries from the Tarbert to Portavadie route amid calls for more Arran services.

Following suggestions from the public, CalMac is looking into adding three runs to Arran per day but with limited ferries this would reduce services from Tarbert to Portavadie to two a day.

In an open letter to Transport Scotland, Ken Thorburn, chairman of Lochranza and Catacol Community Association, has asked if the rejected proposal for a Lochranza/Claonaig winter ferry service can be looked at again.

‘Businesses in Arran and Argyll would benefit greatly and the through Arran route would open up lines of communication and closer tourism, transport and infrastructure links.’

The plan has worried Argyll businesses who fear it would reduce the number of ferry services on the Tarbert-Portavadie route, hitting companies on either side of Loch Fyne, including Portavadie spa and marina.

Portavadie general manager Iain Jurgensen said: ‘We welcome more Arran ferry services, but not at the cost of other sailings. We have a strong year-round market that relies on access to Portavadie via the ferry.

‘We would prefer extra Arran services as well as the current Portavadie service. Without the ferry service, it is a two-hour drive from Tarbert to Portavadie.’

CalMac’s head of communications David Cannon said: ‘We regularly engage with our customers up and down the west coast on behalf of Transport Scotland to see if they desire any amendments to the timetable. We are duty bound to consider all requests and pass them to Transport Scotland, along with an operational and cost analysis of the proposed change, so Transport Scotland can reach an informed decision on whether or not to proceed.

‘During consultation on the winter 2019-20 timetable, Arran islanders asked for more sailings between Lochranza and Tarbert. However, as the vessel is shared with the Tarbert-Portavadie route, any change would ultimately reduce that service. Transport Scotland asked us to contact local councillors to gauge public opinion before it made a decision and that is the stage we are at. No decision has been taken and anyone with a view should contact their local councillor.’

Councillor Anne Horn added: ‘I have been contacted by constituents concerned with any reduction in the Tarbert Portavadie service in the draft proposal by CalMac. As there is a campaign on Arran at present seeking to make the Cloanaig-Lochranza sailing an all-year-round service, it would be helpful to support this initiative as that would bring a satisfactory outcome for all communities and travellers.’