All new Ardrossan
‘The wider regeneration will also see improvements in public amenities and links to the town centre’
The first images of how Ardrossan harbour could look after its £15 million makeover have been unveiled today (Friday).
The artist’s impressions are of the new integrated ferry, road and rail terminal by 2018, if Peel Ports gets the go-ahead from transport minister Humza Yousaf to continue to operate the Ardrossan to Brodick route, currently being challenged by Troon. That decision is expected within days.
In addition to the proposed new state-of-the-art Maritime Hub building, harbour owners Peel Ports and North Ayrshire Council propose to provide a new linkspan for vehicles to board the ferry, a new passenger access system and improved car parking facilities.
Inner harbour
The images also show a second inner harbour berth being used for the planned two-ferry year-round sailings when the new £48.5 million hybrid vessel starts operating on the route, along with the MV Caledonian Isles, in two years time.
Commenting on the images, council leader Joe Cullinane said: ‘Seeing the vision of an Ardrossan of the future, brought to life in full colour like this, is really exciting.
‘The redevelopment of the old passenger terminal into the vibrant welcoming space of the new Maritime Hub will not only be a welcoming environment for travellers, it will offer local businesses the space to showcase their products and will also act as a meeting place for the whole community of Ardrossan.
‘What’s even better is that this development would also be the catalyst for a much bigger regeneration of the town, with a further £100 million of investment planned for the wider area to deliver additional marina expansion, a new hotel and housing development.
‘The wider regeneration will also see improvements in public amenities and links to the town centre, opening it up to visitors to the town. This will build on the massive pride Ardrossan folk have shown in their town through their passionate support for the Keep It A to B – Save Our Ferry campaign over the past five months.’
Doug Coleman, Peel Ports’ project director for Ardrossan Harbour, said: ‘We are hopeful that the
Transport Minister, having taken careful consideration of all the hard facts and evidence that have been submitted to him, will find in favour of Ardrossan.
‘As well as offering the shortest, fastest, cheapest route for Arran residents, a new Maritime Hub in Ardrossan will provide unrivalled levels of comfort for travellers as well as excellent onward travel options from a railway station right at the terminal’s front door.
‘These powerful images demonstrate just how impressive those facilities will be.’