Sailings lost due to sea conditions
Revealed: Missing 253 Ardrossan crossings
More than 250 sailings to Arran from Ardrossan had to be axed due to the weather last year.
The previously unpublished Caledonian MacBrayne figure ramps up the pressure to hand over the lifeline service to sheltered Troon.
They show an astonishing 253 sailings between Ardrossan and Brodick had to be axed because of bad weather during 2015.
The Caledonian Isles ferry struggles to turn into the historic Ardrossan harbour in stiff prevailing south west winds.
Troon’s protected northerly entrance means ships are not troubled by high winds and islanders could enjoy sailings in all but extreme elements.
Meanwhile Troon owners ABP have put up a £ 50,000 annual bounty to be enjoyed by islanders every year.
They will put £ 8 million into developing a new Arran gateway at Troon to take the new longer ship currently being built.
We have already revealed it could take £ 30 million of public money to upgrade privately owned Ardrossan.
Sources say the combination of fewer cancellations, better access to Glasgow and zero cost to the public purse make the Troon case “compelling.”
One said: “These are very interesting figures and amount to more than one in 20 sailings tied up due to weather.
“Without taking into account technical difficulties with the ship, it works out at at 5.37% of sailings lost which would not happen at Troon.
“In practical terms there will be a much higher percentage lost during the winter and makes grim reading.”
Unaudited Cal Mac performance statistics for last winter show a high number of cancellations during the winter, though these do not give a weather or repair breakdown.
In November 33 trips were tied up, in December 40, in January this year 24 were axed and in February there were 31 off.
Troon is backing the switch in 2018 all the way.
The final decision will be taken by Cal Mac owners the Scottish Government.
ABP pledged to give £ 1000 a week to islanders for good causes.
Short Sea Ports Director Andrew Harston said: “We understand that this service has to deliver robust reliability for the people of Arran, who have endured an unreliable link to the mainland for too long. That’s why we are confident that our proposal to relocate the service to Troon represents a compelling offer.
“For islanders Troon represents a transformation in their service. That’s also good for visitors to the island too.
“Relocating the ferry service will undoubtedly be good for Troon’s economy and we are determined to maximise the benefits for the island’s community.
“That’s why we are setting up a new Arran Community Fund that will generate £ 50,000 every year, opening up all sorts of new possibilities for co- operative initiatives and good causes on the island.”