THE owners and operators of Ardrossan Harbour are to commission an independent marine consultant to carry out a detailed comparison with Troon to strengthen the case for retaining the existing ferry service to Arran.

The initiative is part of the campaign to keep the ferry service on the shortest, fastest and cheapest route between Ardrossan and Brodick, which has attracted widespread support on the island and from local people, businesses and politicians throughout North Ayrshire.

Doug Coleman, Peel Ports’ project director for the Ardrossan Harbour redevelopment said: “It’s unarguable that Ardrossan to Brodick is 40 per cent shorter than Troon to Brodick and transport links are inferior at Troon, meaning fares would have to rise, and journeys would be far longer. ABP has made a number of unsubstantiated claims about Troon being a more suitable port in inclement weather, which have already been contradicted by a senior Calmac representative speaking at a public meeting on Arran earlier this year, saying ‘If a ferry can’t get into Ardrossan, it can’t get into Troon. The weather that affects Ardrossan, affects Troon.

“Those sea and weather conditions will form a central part of the forthcoming Transport Scotland analysis of both routes and we are determined to ensure we present the facts clearly and precisely, so we are commissioning an independent consultant to carry out a detailed appraisal of both routes.

“The idea being put about by ABP that Troon harbour is in some way immune to the weather which hits the Clyde Estuary in the winter months is fanciful and easily contradicted by the facts, as those who travelled on the now-defunct Troon to Larne service will be able to attest.

“The entrance to Ardrossan Harbour is narrower but provides good protection to vessels once berthed, due to the breakwater and the shelter of Horse Isle. Troon entrance is wider but offers less protection inside the harbour, particularly when the wind has any northerly component, meaning vessels are far more likely to be subject to heavy rolling.

“Importantly, the port of refuge in the event of an aborted berthing at either Troon or Ardrossan is Gourock, which is significantly further from Troon - about half as much again, compared to Ardrossan.”

A big factor in the improved reliability of the ferry service over the next two decades will be a new £48.5m ferry currently being constructed by Ferguson Marine. Mr Coleman predicted the introduction of the new ship would be a “game-changer.”

He said: “This vessel has been specifically designed to operate on the existing crossing, and its thrusters, which help to manoeuvre and steady the ship in rough weather and tides, are over 300 per cent more powerful than the current, 23-year-old Caledonian Isles. That will dramatically improve the ability of the vessel to berth at Ardrossan.”