Arran ferry traffic ‘disrupting life’ for people in Skipness

Huge queues of traffic for the Arran ferry are causing “chaos” and disruption, blocking access to Skipness.

The single track road is under major pressure as cars are gridlocked at Claonaig when the larger ferry from the mainland to Brodick is cancelled.

Closure of the Irish berth at Ardrossan has rendered the port unusable in easterly winds.

This results in all ferry traffic travelling to Arran using the Kintyre sailing between Claonaig and Lochranza – and along the single track B8001 road to Skipness.

The road to the village has been blocked by gridlocked traffic at the ferry terminal on at least three occasions in the last three weeks, say locals.

And the situation can only get worse as cracks caused by a landslide near Claonaig are due to be repaired imminently. A stretch of road collapsed in 2019 when rubble fell down the hillside into the glen below.

Tarbert and Skipness Community Council has fears about what would happen if emergency services need to get through when the village is effectively cut off. Tim James, convener of the community council, said: “It has been totally chaotic at times. And now the summer ferry timetable has started, it can only get worse.

“Every time the Ardrossan to Brodick ferry is off it causes chaos in Kintyre. All of the lorries and delivery vehicles which need to get on and off the island have to go via Claonaig.

“The road is single track; it simply isn’t able to cope with the volume of traffic. It is completely disrupting our life.

“The slipway at Claonaig is very tight. There is a hard left turn on a single track road. If there is a queue for the ferry, traffic can’t even get at the slipway. Vehicles are sitting waiting in the middle of the road.

“When it is blocked, any emergency services trying to get into the village or out wouldn’t be able to.

“I spent 45 minutes recently organising traffic. Other people have also taken it upon themselves to do it too.”

He added: “The road itself is due for repair. When work begins, the situation will be even worse.”

Vehicles are using the grass verges where there is “just enough” space to get passed, which is deteriorating fast and becoming boggy.

Mr James warned:

“The grassy ruts are getting bigger and bigger. Already three cars have been damaged. Sooner or later a lorry or motorhome is going to get stuck in it.”

He called upon CalMac to put two marshals on the B8001 to direct the traffic and Argyll and Bute Council to extend the verges.

CalMac insisted that diverting ferry traffic onto the Kintyre B8001 road was a “last resort”.

A spokeswoman said: “Weather disruption meant there have recently been occasions when the main Arran service was unable to use either Ardrossan, Troon or Gourock, so all traffic to and from the island had to be diverted Lochranza-Claonaig.

“The latest time was over the Easter weekend and we made sure that port staff from Kennacraig attended to ensure that traffic was controlled.

“We will only divert traffic via this route as a last resort as we are aware that the roads around Claonaig are not suitable for heavy and frequent traffic, and that this can be disruptive for the local community.”

Meanwhile, Argyll and Bute Council confirmed it will be starting work in the next few weeks to repair the road which cracked open during a landslide.

While the work is welcome, it is likely to add to the disruption.

However, a spokeswoman for the council said: “We are still finalising proposals for work at the landslip site at the B8001, Claonaig, and anticipate it should begin in the next few weeks.

“Meantime, we will endeavour to co-ordinate works with CMAL, as far as possible, to minimise disruption, bearing in mind that both sets of work are necessary.”