Plain sailing at Ferry meeting – up to a point
On Wednesday, February 22nd, a large number of people came to a meeting to discuss the draft Ferry proposals. Well organised by Arran Community Council and the Ferry Committee, people were grouped round tables to write Post – it notes of their opinions that would be collated and sent to CalMac. First on the agenda was the proposal for two smaller boats rather than a single large one, and the question of which port on the Ayrshire mainland would be the preferred one. Then came discussion of the route from Lochranza to Claonaig and/or Tarbert, coupled with the broad questions of access to Campbeltown. Over everything hung the RET factor (Road Equivalent Tariff).
Opinions were duly amassed, carefully noted by scribes from ACVS, and several themes emerged as prominent. The current unsuitability of Ardrossan as the basic ferry link to the mainland was universally agreed, but choice of a substitute port was blurred by uncertainty about how a rail link could be established. It came as encouraging news when John Inglis, Chair of the Community Council, said a breakwater at Ardrossan was under consideration, with the aim of making the existing port serviceable rather than making a radical change to a new one. There was common agreement that RET would mean increased traffic to Arran, and the effect on the ever – crumbling roads was expected to be detrimental – but those with a major interest in tourism felt that higher visitor numbers would be a good thing, regardless of the effect. The need for better connections with Argyll was defended with some passion in many quarters, pointing out the absurdity of a one – way daily service that did not permit a journey out and back again. In tourism terms, the need for ‘cross – Arran’ connection from the mainland to the further islands was pressing, and both passenger transport and haulage services were considered to be a year – round necessity.
The meeting was then thrown open to discussion. Kenneth Thorburn spoke on behalf of the Ferry Committee, commenting that some people had tended to see it as secretive but asserting that its minutes were open and accessible. This brought startled stares from Community Council members, who have long complained that although NAC pays a £70 annual fee to allow a CC representative to attend the Ferry Committee, the representative was not permitted to make the minutes available to the body he represented. Alison Prince, though no longer a member of the CC, pointed this out and provoked a storm of protest. Ken Thorburn, in something of a volte face, said that minutes could often contain sensitive or personal material that should not be made public, but it was argued that such matters could be taken in camera. The meeting was declared closed, but as people went out into the rain, a group was still in heated debate.
Consultation on the future of Arran’s ferry provision remains open until March 31st, so if you missed the meeting and have a point to put, there is still ample time.
Postal address – Colin Grieve, Transport Scotland, Ferries Unit, Victoria Quay, Edinburgh, EH6 6QQ.
email – colin.grieve@transportscotland.gsi.gov.uk
Postscript
On February 28th we attended the Arran Community Council meeting in the Ormidale Pavilion as observers. The temporary managing director of Caledonian MacBrayne, Gary Robertson, addressed the meeting. He had been supplied with a list of questions resulting from the Brodick meeting mentioned above. Many of the questions related to the manner in which CalMac dealt so abysmally with the situation that arose in Ardrossan when the Caledonian Isles struck the Winton Pier on Valentine’s Day. He admitted that they could have done a lot better and were looking at ways to get it right in the future. There was also a lot of discussion about the suitability of Ardrossan as the mainland terminal and the need for significant improvements in the harbour there. Clydeport, a private company which owns Ardrossan harbour, charge CalMac large sums of money for every passenger and vehicle which uses the facilities and none of it appears to be spent in harbour improvements.
An interesting aside came when the Arran Community Council member who represents the ACC on the Arran Ferry Committee, displayed a total ignorance of the meaning of Road Equivalent Tariff (RET). Luckily, Gary Robertson was very tolerant and, after several interjections, was finally able to correct the misunderstanding. North Ayrshire council tax payers contribute £75 annually for this person to be member of the Arran Ferry Committee. Given that no agendas or minutes are ever made public, we have to ask yet again if that is value for money!
