North Ayrshire Council has joined the myriad of voices calling for government intervention to provide a reliable ferry service for Arran.
Arran councillor Timothy Billings is leading the call to action after delivering an impassioned speech as part of a powerful motion lodged at the local authority chambers in Irvine.
The motion was unanimously approved by all attendees who are now seeking an urgent meeting with Scotland’s transport secretary Fiona Hyslop.
Councillor Billings stepped to the fore during one of the most tumultuous weeks of ferry disruption the island has known. It included both berths at Ardrossan being out of service, a lower-capacity relief vessel operating on the route and hundreds of booking being cancelled.
It also coincided with relief vessel MV Alfred being redeployed from Arran and the temporary closure of the Arran berth at Ardrossan, which necessitated a move to Troon harbour.
Councillor Billings told the meeting: “It is impossible in the time I have to describe the devastation being caused on Arran as a consequence of the appalling ferry service we are experiencing. The level of service has reached a new low with the albeit temporary transfer to Troon due to the closure of Ardrossan because of Irish berth being unsafe to use and fender repairs on the Arran berth.
“The chaos and hardship experienced over the past week is unbelievable and totally unacceptable. I have spoken in this chamber for nearly seven years about the urgency required to address the issues with the Arran ferry service which has fallen on deaf political and operational ears.
"What Arran is now experiencing has been predicted by many people for many years and those in a position to have done something to prevent this crisis should be hanging their heads in shame.
“The guts are being torn out of Arran and all the other islands in Scotland and being sacrificed on the alter of self-glorification and inaction.”
Having outlined the scale of the problem and the difficulties being experienced by islanders, Councillor Billings outlined three areas which he says needs immediate attention.
He said: “Firstly, Arran needs the maximum ferry capacity possible. Therefore, we want two ferries operating on the route over the Easter holidays. It is looking like the Caledonian Isles is going to be out of service for much of March, therefore we need to have the Alfred back once it returns from dry dock at the beginning of March.
"It has to operate as many return sailings as possible from Troon and be bookable for any vehicle and foot passengers.
"Troon must be fully operational with full ticketing, waiting and parking areas, effective signposting and information at the local station and buses that can take all passengers, including those in wheelchairs.”
He also highlighted the closure of the Irish berth and how the Arran berth had become unusable in easterly wind conditions.
The councillor insists that there must be effective and swift plans implemented to switch services to Troon if required to avoid the “chaotic” scenes which were witnessed recently when the service had to move there after the Arran berth required repairs.
He added: “Work also needs to be started immediately on the refurbishment of Ardrossan. The reasons for Ardrossan being the harbour of choice are well known and already agreed. The issues caused this week by the additional time taken to go between Brodick and Troon further supports the case that it is the best place for this service.
"We implore the Scottish Government to get on with it and, for once, have the courage to make a positive decision for Arran”.
Councillors at the meeting also agreed to instruct the chief executive to write to the cabinet secretary for transport, net zero and just transition to reaffirm the council’s concerns about the ongoing delay to the refurbishment work at Ardrossan.
Additionally, it was agreed to contact the Scottish minister for transport, the chief executive of CalMac and the chief executive of CMAL to state concerns about the detrimental impacts on island residents and businesses caused by the current lack of capacity on the Arran ferry service.
An amendment from cabinet member Tony Gurney was added to the motion. It asked the chief executive to also write to the chairman and chief operating officer of Peel Ports to express disappointment that the Irish berth had been decommissioned and to ask for its reinstatment.
Councillor Billings told us after the meeting: “I was pleased there was further discussion which expanded on the actions by various members of North Ayrshire Council and makes it clear just how much work is going on to get things moving."
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