Call for ferry committee to show a united front
... as Troon hits back at ‘spin’ claims
The newly-appointed project director of Ardrossan harbour defended the record of the port when he spoke at the Isle of Arran Ferry Committee’s (IoAFC) meeting this week.
Doug Coleman, from Peel Ports, who spoke to the Banner last week, challenged concerns over Ardrossan’s reliability as a port at the, as always, closed-doors meeting on Monday night.
He told the ferry committee: ‘Not one of 4,497 sailings scheduled from July 1, 2015, to June 30, 2016, was cancelled due to problems at Ardrossan. Of 298 sailings – 3.83 per cent – cancelled due to bad weather, three-quarters were cancelled due to wind speeds of greater than 35 knots, above which sailing can be a very unpleasant and possibly unsafe experience. Fog and high swell accounted for the remaining cancellations. Ports such as Troon are equally susceptible.’
Peel Ports is looking to a 25-year partnership with Scottish Government to ensure a return on its investment. By the end of this month, Peel will deliver its technical submission and, on December 19, its commercial submission.
As a port authority, there is no need for Scottish Government or North Ayrshire Council planning approval.
MSP Kenneth Gibson, who attended the meeting, told the Banner: ‘I suggested that IoAFC meet on December 19 to discuss the commercial submission and asked each member to liaise with their organisation about supporting Ardrossan, with a view to coming back that evening with an answer. Members readily agreed. There are myriad reasons to support Ardrossan as Arran’s mainland port of choice. A united front will help secure it.
‘Ardrossan is 12 nautical miles from Brodick, but Troon is 18, so sailing times and ferry prices will inevitably be higher, with fewer sailings, should Troon replace Ardrossan, impacting on capacity, affordability and competitiveness.
‘It will also damage the North Ayrshire economy and cost 165 jobs in Ardrossan.
‘I am, therefore, absolutely committed to preserving the existing route.’
Meanwhile, Port of Troon owner Associated British Ports has hit back at comments made by North Ayrshire Council about what it said was the ‘spin and misinformation being peddled about Troon’.
An ABP spokeswoman said: ‘The Port of Troon is not peddling spin and misinformation. We regret the use of this kind of language in what should be a sensible, calm and honest assessment of a genuine case.
‘The simple fact is that the Port of Ardrossan has endured decades of underinvestment. It is plain for any visitor to see. But that is not the only reason why the service for the people of Arran has proved so regularly unreliable. This can be attributed to the design of the port and to address that will take a far higher level of investment than the £20m-30m we frequently hear quoted simply to maintain the existing infrastructure of Ardrossan to an acceptable standard.
‘The real benefits of Troon speak for themselves. It is, in fact, far less expensive to operate the service and this will benefit passengers, as well as help the Scottish Government by removing a significant financial burden. Furthermore, our proposal includes a commitment to create a community fund that will directly benefit the people of Arran.
‘Of course there is a case for Ardrossan and it appears as though Peel Holdings is only now starting to build that case. However, Ardrossan has long been complacent, believing the people of Arran have no alternative. That is no longer the case.’
North Ayrshire Council has issued an invitation to anyone who wants to play a part in the #saveourferry campaign to attend an event being held in Ardrossan Civic Centre on Thursday November 24 at 7pm. An event will also be held on Arran at a later date.