Islanders say they are open for business amidst ferry disruption
ISLANDERS have said their community is “open for business” despite ongoing ferry problems which have seen their regular vessel withdrawn from service.
People living on the island of Cumbrae, in the Firth of Clyde, are calling on visitors to go ahead with trips despite the sidelining of the ferry which serves their community.
The MV Loch Shira, which has been replaced by two smaller vessels, serves the popular Largs-to-millport route but will be out of action just as crowds of daytrippers start to arrive.
It suffered a “catastrophic” failure of both of its vehicle ramps, despite assurances the ship would last 12 months after a refurbishment in January, and will not return to action until June.
The ramp hinges on MV Loch Shira, which operates on the Largs-tocumbrae route, will need to be replaced.
Ferry users have been advised new parts must be manufactured in Poland and it could be up to two months before the ferry is back in service.
The 47-year-old MV Isle of Cumbrae, the oldest ferry in the Calmac fleet, has been temporarily redeployed to maintain services.
That redeployment has led to cancellation of services on the Tarbertportavadie route on Loch Fyne until today, when the MV Loch Bhrusda ferry is due to arrive on the Cumbrae route.
Calmac told ferry users the damage was caused by “large commercial vehicles” whose weight exceeds the ramp’s design load, but it has been unable to identify which lorries were to blame.
The ferry will then require up to three weeks in dry dock, meaning it could be mid-june before it can return to service.
A like-for-like replacement ferry was meant to be constructed and in service by now, but has been on the drawing board for a decade, campaigners claimed.
A public meeting on the island on Tuesday heard more than 130 residents voice their concerns.
Frustration was directed at Calmac, the Scottish government and North Ayrshire Council.
Islanders are also concerned about the volume of heavy traffic involved in flood protection work in Millport, and delays in replacing small vessels in the Calmac fleet.
Islanders say they are “frustrated” with the lack of a “community focus” from ferry services, which they say has led to a larger disruption than necessary to island residents and travellers to and from the island.
Members of Cumbrae Ferry Users Group encouraged visitors to continue to travel, making the journey as foot passengers if they could, because of the reduced ability to take cars to the island. Angus Campbell, chair of the group said: “We know Cumbrae is loved and enjoyed by visitors from far and wide and we want to assure everyone that Millport and the Isle of Cumbrae are very much open for business.
“The community and businesses on Cumbrae look forward to welcoming visitors for wonderful seaside experiences this summer 2024.
“We want to encourage people coming to our island for the day to travel as foot passengers on the ferry if at all possible.”
He added: “The ferry is a short distance from the train station in Largs, and there is a convenient and quick bus service connecting the ferry with Millport town which will make your travel plans easy. The message is, ‘Please come and, if you can, please leave your car behind.’ Our call for people to prioritise public transport supports our work as a carbon neutral island.
“Additionally, recent issues with the large ferry which serves the island mean capacity for cars is more limited than usual, and it will remain more limited for the weeks leading into the summer.
“We are pleased to be able to confirm that the full normal summer timetabled service is being delivered by Calmac, so the sailings you see on your timetable will take place. We look forward to welcoming visitors to enjoy our island over summer 2024.”
Please come, and if you can, please leave your car behind