Better solution

Sir, I noted in a recent edition of the Banner that North Ayrshire Council and Peel Ports are proposing between them to invest £13 million in upgrading Ardrossan harbour. I am astounded that this can be justified by NAC, which is allegedly so cash-strapped that it cannot afford the £60,000 per annum to keep open the public toilets on Arran.

This compares with ABP at Troon, which is offering an alternative involving no public money.

Furthermore, the Ardrossan scheme would, in all probability, require financing by way of a PFI (private finance initiative), a surefire way of costing the taxpayer a large sum of money for maintenance and with no guarantee of quality during construction – see the Edinburgh schools fiasco.

The issue of public toilets is both important and sensitive. For elderly residents, they are essential, since many of them have to organise their outings to be within easy reach of such facilities. But for tourists, too, especially those with small children, easy access to public toilets is important.

On my main point, it is to be hoped that the transport minister will come down in favour of Troon as the better solution, not least since it is unlikely that Peel Ports will ever come up with the cash necessary to make Ardrossan viable as an all-weather port.

Indeed, the harbour master at Ardrossan has listed only cosmetic improvements to the terminal, car parking and infrastructure, a sure sign of how thinking there is being limited to tight financial constraints.

Yours,

Bruno Baumgärtner, Corriecravie.