Given concerns over ferry service to and from Arran, I arranged a meeting at Holyrood with island representatives - Bill Calderwood, Isle of Arran Ferry Committee, Alastair Dobson, Arran Development Trust and Linda Johnston, Auchrannie Resort - and North Ayrshire Council’s Leader Marie Burns and Chief Executive, Craig Hatton with the Cabinet Secretary for Transport, Fiona Hyslop MSP to discuss the ferry service.
We also discussed Ardrossan Harbour’s redevelopment, to which the SNP Government remains fully committed.
The Caledonian Isles departed the network for its annual overhaul in January and was set to return to service on 07 March. However, late on 21 February, CalMac announced that significant steel renewal and repair work was required on the 31-year-old vessel. The estimated cost of the repairs is in the region of £5 million.
With the departure of the MV Alfred for its annual overhaul, the MV Isle of Arran is currently the sole ferry operating out of Brodick.
Following questions I asked in the Chamber, Minister for Connectivity Jim Fairlie MSP informed the Parliament that the Cabinet Secretary for Transport spoke with CalMac’s Chief Executive and had impressed on CalMac the need for capacity to be in place for the Easter holidays.
CalMac is currently reviewing their vessel deployment plans following the news of the MV Caledonian Isles’ extended departure and will publish timetable changes by Monday 4 March.
Kenneth Gibson MSP commented:
“With the community in Arran still reeling from Peel Ports’ sudden closure of the Irish Berth, the reduced capacity and diversions to Troon, and the Easter Holidays fast approaching, this news could hardly have come a worse time.
“Arran has endured a frankly appalling level of service over recent weeks and months. This needs to be taken into account by CalMac as they determine how best to redeploy their vessels without the MV Caledonian Isles.
“I was pleased to hear the Scottish Government be clear that more capacity must be in place for the Easter holidays.
“I will be advocating for as little disruption to Arran as possible. Brodick – Ardrossan is CalMac’s busiest route with businesses across the island reliant on tourism. Now, more than ever, they need certainty.”
The transcript from the questions is below.
Kenneth Gibson MSP
“To ask the Scottish Government what action it will take to ensure optimum ferry capacity to and from Arran in light of reports that repairs to the MV Caledonian Isles are not expected to conclude before mid-June.”
Minister Connectivity Jim Fairlie MSP
“Thank you, Presiding Officer. The delay regarding the MV Caledonian Isles is regrettable and I recognise the frustration felt by communities as a result. The responsibility for operational decisions regarding ferry services lies with CalMac as the operator. We expect them to be working along with advisers to ensure repair work is progressed at pace.
“The Cabinet Secretary for Transport spoke with CalMac’s Chief Executive yesterday to convey her concern and make clear that everything must be done to address capacity and provide assurances for the Arran community and others across the network, particularly as we look towards the Easter break and beyond.
“The MV Isle of Arran is operating out of Ardrossan and there continues to be additional sailings via the island’s secondary route Claonaig to Lochranza and no capacity issues are being reported at this time.
Kenneth Gibson MSP
“I thank the Minister for that response. I know he's fully aware of the impact that numerous cancellations due to weather, mechanical breakdown and fender repairs have had on Arran and Ardrossan, together with Peel Ports’ permanent closure of Ardrossan's Irish birth and subsequent removal of the MV Alfred by CalMac. Ardrossan to Brodick is CalMac’s busiest route, yet it's being serviced by the 40-year-old MV Isle of Arran alone.
“With Easter on the horizon, the loss of the MV Caledonian Isles couldn't have come at a worse time for Arran’s economy. Right now, islanders need certainty. So what reassurance can the Minister provide both Arranachs and prospective visitors that the capacity, which he said is not a problem at the moment, won't be a problem during the Easter holidays.”
Minister for Connectivity Jim Fairlie MSP
“Presiding Officer, the Cabinet Secretary for Transport has committed to engaging directly with the impacted communities. She met with the Isle of Arran Ferry Committee committee last week and she thanks Mr Gibson for his part in organising this. At this meeting, she agreed to impress on CalMac the need for capacity to be in place for the Easter holidays, which she has done so this week, and it's something she will continue to do. And we are pushing CalMac to ensure that it has a robust contingency plan in place to ensure that they maximise the capacity with available vessels and can clearly communicate that the island remains open for business across that period. The Cabinet secretary is also travelling back from a visit to the Western Isles where she has met with local communities, port and ferry staff.”
Kenneth Gibson MSP
“I thank the Minister for that further answer. Of course, people can't book until at least the 4th of March - there are new timings to travel because of the MV Caledonian Isles and the late decision in terms of it going down South and the work that has to be done on it.
“The coming disruption and fleet reshuffling is likely to be the first major test of CalMac’s route prioritisation framework since it was overhauled last October. Can the Minister confirm that the appalling service Arran has endured in recent months will be considered?
“Also, whether the increased risk of cancellations and diversions as a result of the issues at Ardrossan Harbour will be factored into vessel deployment decisions, with ways found to expedite the MV Glen Sannox entering service on the ferry network at the earliest possible opportunity.”
Minister for Connectivity Jim Fairlie MSP
“As requested by Ministers following service disruption last year, CalMac have reviewed their route prioritisation matrix for the major vessel fleet. They have done this with the support of the Ferries Community Board. Following public consultation, CalMac have made a number of changes to their prioritisation approach, including more emphasis on the level of use by island residents and commercial vehicles, along with higher prioritisation for routes with limited capacity on alternative services, and I fully expect this to be applied by CalMac when they consider their deployment options.
“Those plans and timing for introducing the MV Glenn Sannox into service will be kept under review as we progress through the build completion, handover and operation trials process.
These are required to meet the MCA and other requirements and ultimately provide safe and efficient services for our island communities.”
The exchange at Topical Questions can be found at:
Photo - left to right: Bill Calderwood, Me, Craig Hatton, Fiona Hyslop and Marie Burns. Alastair Dobson and Linda Johnston were online.
