Still fighting swell of cancelled trips
Cancellations on the lifeline ferry link between Arran and Ardrossan have soared to almost 300.
Already fed- up with 253 cancelled sailings in the previous 12 months, islanders have had to endure that dismal record worsening still further to 298 cancelled sailings for the year to last June.
Figures reported to the Isle of Arran Ferry Committee, the most current available, show the reliability of the service declining by more than 17%.
It all adds up to misery for islanders, who face constant delay and disruption as around one in 16 crossings are abandoned, frequently at short notice.
Troon harbour owners Associated British Ports are bidding to run the service - aboard a bigger Caledonian MacBrayne ship - from next summer.
The town’s modern East Pier is largely unaffected by the stiff south westerly winds that cause havoc at investment- starved Adrossan.
This was underlined recently when conditions were too rough for the ferry to stay overnight in Ardrossan so it was sent to Troon for safe harbour, where it safely berthed during a Force 10 Gale.
Without the construction of new breakwaters at Ardrossan, Troon will continue to offer vastly superior reliability of service, say ABP.
The company plans to invest £ 8 million in a new passenger terminal at Troon and to donate £ 50,000 every year to good causes on the island.
Stuart Cresswell, manager of ABP’s Ports of Troon and Ayr, said: “These figures underline that not only is reliability currently poor at Ardrossan but it is getting worse. The arrival of the new, bigger vessels with greater windage that are now under construction, will only make cancellations rise still further.
“Troon would deliver a transformation in the reliability of service as well as brand new facilities and at no cost to the taxpayer. Our offer represents a better deal for the people of Arran and the Scottish Government.”
See the conditions in Troon by checking out the webcam: http:// ow. ly/ fHTy308KTlp
The Scottish Government will make an announcement in April on where the new ship will sail from.