Ferry frustration

Another week, another row over Arran’s new ferry. And who are the ones left most to suffer? The travelling public of this fair island.

A lifeline service served by two boats with a combined age of 61 years, while our new boat remains under construction at – it would seem at snails’ pace – in Port Glasgow.

Instead of getting on with it, Ferguson Marine appears determined to push and push the Scottish Government into giving it more cash – £61 million more is this week’s ever-increasing figure.

But the yard boss Jim McColl has already tried legal action to get more cash and been rebuked and CMAL shows no signs of shifting its position any time soon.

The Scottish Government, too, says there has been an ‘independent review’ and while it won’t say what the outcome was, it seems pretty likely it backs the CMAL stance.

So what now? There has been talk of the Arran ferry, and her sister ship, being taken elsewhere to finish, with Poland considered a front runner. But Mr McColl warned this week such a move could end up costing even more money.

Whatever the future, let us hope it is sorted out soon so that Arran can, at last, benefit from a new fit-for-purpose ferry.