I ATTENDED the “Save Our Ferry” meeting on Thursday, November 24 in Ardrossan’s Civic Centre and was encouraged to see the overwhelming support and attendance. This proves how much of a concern this issue has within the community, local businesses, councillors, MSPs and North Ayrshire Council. 

The meeting went very well and some interesting facts and representation were provided from North Ayrshire Council, our MP Patricia Gibson, local councillors, MSPs and Doug Coleman, the Peel Ports Programme Director, all expressing their concerns and importance of keeping the Arran ferry sailing from Ardrossan. Although the meeting lasted just over an hour, I felt it was cut a bit short as there were a few members of the public and some local businesses who had some further questions and some input to put into the meeting. 

The Ardrossan to Brodick Ferry is one of Caledonian MacBrayne’s busiest ferries with over 750,000 passengers using the service each year. 

The fact that ABP have come in with this bid to take the Arran Ferry to the Port of Troon, may be a blessing in disguise. 

I have been voicing my opinion for several years the need for improvement and upgrading of facilities for passengers and tourists using the ferry. 

I’ve been to several of the ferry ports in the West of Scotland and on the Western Isles that are used by CalMac. Most of these ports have good facilities to accommodate tourists, cyclists, campers, motor homes and caravan users, who can stay or spend time at the various ports before or on return from their ferry journey. 

Unfortunately, Ardrossan does not have any such facility. 

Oban on the west coast is known and the “Gateway to the Isles” with several ferry crossings to the Inner and Outer Hebrides and is a very popular and thriving tourist town. 

In my opinion, Ardrossan is a far better location than Oban, we have an excellent beach are, a beautiful view point and Castle on Castle Hill. 

If we are campaigning to Save Our Ferry, we should also be taking this opportunity to look at improving the facilities around the harbour and the town of Ardrossan and help make the town once again a popular tourist town and ‘The Gateway to Arran’.  If we don’t take action now to save the Arran ferry, I’m afraid the next meeting in the Civic Centre could be to “Save Our Town”. 

I would encourage the support of the Save Our Ferry campaign. 

Pat Breen

Ardrossan