Committee give update on COVID ferry development

A statement from the Isle of Arran Ferry Committee.

The Isle of Arran Ferry Committee – made up of community, health care and business representatives – is a consultative body and its main role is to positively influence stakeholders to deliver the best possible ferry service for Arran.

During this very difficult pandemic, and the subsequent recovery period, the ferry committee is continuing to consult with key stakeholders including CalMac, Transport Scotland and the Scottish Government to ensure Arran, its residents, businesses and visitors have a safe and adequate ferry service, whilst adhering to Government guidelines at all times.

The Arran community can be assured that their views are being presented and the following priorities are at the forefront of our discussions:

Heath, safety and welfare of the community

Essential supplies and services to the island

Residents’ travel to/from the island

A safe and manageable level of tourism

We are currently working within conditions of Phase One which allows for essential travel only.

As the government starts to consider moving to the next phase and relax the restrictions imposed to control the Coronavirus pandemic, travel is a key interest particularly for Arran residents and businesses and the situation is fast changing. The ferry committee have contacted CalMac and Transport Scotland to understand the options being considered and to ensure appropriate service is reinstated in line with government regulations.

In conjunction with Arran Recovery Group, we have requested a minimum of 50 per cent of the 2019 actual volumes.

It is clear that there will be no immediate return to normal travel arrangements with social distancing restrictions continuing.

We have communicated to all parties that we must ensure essential supplies and travel for residents to undertake safe and appropriate travel as a priority and that capacity must consider the needs of the businesses and jobs on Arran.

All decisions are being guided by the local health team to ensure we are not putting the community at any unacceptable risks.

The discussions are continuing and initial indications are for the service to move to five return sailings per day in July with a further increase to 9 sailings in August. The Sunday services will also be reinstated.

The capacity will be significantly reduced to somewhere between 75 and 100 passenger per sailing at the current 2m distancing rules from Scottish Government.

Currently it does not appear possible to operate the Lochranza to Claonaig service which will continue to operate to Tarbert as current winter timetable for the foreseeable future. This is one key opportunity we are pursuing.

The ferry committee met on June 8 and again this week on 15th to review the proposals and have generated a list of questions we need to be answered.

We have written to CalMac and are arranging meeting with them and Transport Scotland to push for the best deal under the allowed regulations.

It is becoming clear that all travel will need to be prebooked and this will include foot passengers and we need to ensure that the procedures will ensure a return journey is available.

There is much still to be confirmed in how the operator will manage numbers and bookings as it is clear the capacity will be stretched to meet demand from non-residents. The practicalities of requiring all travel to be pre booked also highlights some issues which have been requested for a long time and these will now need to be addressed very quickly.

We continue to discuss these matters and will be escalating the concerns to politicians to ensure they are fully apprised of the impact the wrong decisions will have for the community and businesses on Arran.

We will continue to provide updates as and when available.