Ayr MP looks to sink Troon ferry bid
Wilson throws support behind Ardrossan
Corri Wilson makes good use of the written Early Day Motion system of Parliament.
Since being elected to Westminster in May last year she has put her name to 478 motions.
Most she simply signs, but has officially sponsored a total of 77 ( including the pro- Ardrossan- Brodick ferry), 30 of them her own idea as primary sponsor.
Her most successful motion in terms of getting signatures from fellow MPs ( 40) was “That this House welcomes the launch of Gamble Aware Week which runs from 18 to 23 July 2016.”
Her second most popular, attracting 36 signatures, was “That this House congratulates Action Scotland Against Stalking on gaining an Awards for All grant of £ 8,478 from the Big Lottery Fund.”
Of the 30 that were her own motions, most were worthy and relating to her constituency. But the wider causes she sponsored are diverse. They include:
Praising St Duthus Bowling Club in Tain on its recent grant of £ 7678 from the Awards for All Scotland funding;
Congratulates the University of Dundee on being named Scottish University of the Year in the Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide;
Commends the work of The Friends of Kinneil, a charity in the town of Bo’ness, to promote the heritage of Kinneil House;
Commends the government of the Marshall Islands;
Welcomes an initiative launched by intu Braehead to make the shopping centre more autism- friendly. Ayr MP Corri Wilson has been branded a “cuckoo in the nest” for backing the bid to keep the Arran ferry in Ardrossan.
The backbencher has sponsored a Westminster parliamentary motion savaging Troon’s bid to run the service.
Troon is committed to running future sailings without public money, while Ardrossan is understood to need an expenditure of £ 30 million.
Despite a move to Troon giving huge benefit to her neighbouring constituency, Ms Wilson sided with her North Ayrshire SNP colleague Patricia Gibson.
After the Ayrshire Post exclusively revealed the ferry story, Gibson set down an Early Day Motion on October 25.
Ms Wilson did not only sign the motion, but was one of just five official “sponsors.”
On Tuesday she refused to explain her decision, ignoring our requests to speak to her.
Troon harbour owners Associated British Ports also run Ayr harbour in Ms Wilson’s own constituency, providing hundreds of jobs.
The motion says that this “House notes with concern” the Troon bid.
It then attacks Troon saying it does not have a harbour railway and is 18 miles from Arran rather than Ardrossan’s 12.
And it claims: “Sailing from Troon would increase both journey times and ferry prices, making it less attractive to visit the island while reducing the day sailings.”
Immediate former Ayr Labour MP Sandra Osborne was dumbfounded at her successor’s stance.
She said: “I’m not surprised that North Ayrshire Council is fighting to retain the Arran ferry at Ardrossan but the first duty of a local MP is to stand up for the area they represent.
“With Associated British Ports based in Ayr and bidding to bring the service to Troon within South Ayrshire, it is totally incomprehensible that Corri Wilson should not only back this motion but actually sponsor it.
“In her maiden speech she stressed how her priority would be to work for the local community - instead she seems to be a cuckoo in the nest.”
Ayr MSP John Scott stopped short of attacking Wilson but his comments didn’t hide his dismay.
He said: “The wish of politicians representing Ardrossan to retain the ferry service in that town is obviously understandable, but it’s clear its relocation to Troon would be of considerable benefit both to Arran residents and to the tourist economy of South Ayrshire.
“Aside from the more reliable service it would give to islanders, the £ 8m investment offered by Associated British Ports and the tourist footfall generated would be a great boost to Troon and the wider area, helping make up for the loss of the P& O service earlier this year.
“I’m fully behind the Troon bid and I hope all local politicians can rally behind it also.”
Ms Wilson’s parliamentary neighbour and party colleague Philippa Whitford is, unsurprisingly, backing the move.
Dr Whitford, who would not be drawn on commenting about Ms Wilson’s Ardrossan support, said: “Naturally, I welcome the proposal from ABP to invest significant sums of money in the port at Troon and being designated as the dock for the Arran ferry would, of course, bring significant benefits to the town, not least in creating a connected tourism offering.
“However, the port for the ferry crossing should, first and foremost, be made with the people of Arran in mind and, in particular, what will provide them with the most reliable service and minimise weather related cancellations.”
A PR team are now telling North Ayrshire Council and Ardrossan owners Peel how to mount a campaign, including a Twitter hashtag, to be the berth for the new CalMac Brodick ship. They make no mention of the public cost.
The new ship would do the Troon- Brodick trip in 66 minutes opposed to 55 with an electric bus link to better train connections and master motorway access.
It is wider and longer than the current Caledonian Isles and it could take up to £ 34 million of public cash to fix Ardrossan, plagued by 253 weather cancellations last year.
ABP sources are irritated North politicians have gone into spin- mode.
One insider said: “In truth all we are trying to do is solve the long- standing problem islanders have faced by making a big investment in Ayrshire. “We need the real issues out on the table.” North Ayrshire Council says the ABP bid is “divisive and opportunistic.”
It is understood the council could end up leasing the terminal from Peel Ports and give Caledonian MacBrayne a sub lease in an attempt to to fund the bid.
On Thursday Transport Minister Humza Yousaf announced a Transport Scotland probe, saying: “This study will help us continue to make sure the Arran ferry service is fit for purpose, whilst also getting the best value for the public purse.”
However, the Troon bid is backed by the town’s business association which has received nearly 1000 “likes” on Facebook.
The TBA’s Donna Read said: “It is a winwin for people in Troon and for Arranites with a town full of shopping and leisure on their doorstep.
“People don’t stay in Ardrossan, unless of course the ferry is cancelled.”
It also received support at Troon Community Council last week when it agreed to write to the Scottish Government in support.
Councillor Peter Convery noted the northern politicians were now involved, but said: “Financially, it’s a no brainer for Troon.”