THE transfer of the Arran Ferry from Ardrossan to Troon would cost the public purse a massive £166 million over the next 30 years, economists have warned.

Experts from leading environmental consultants Ironside Farrar Ltd and economic researchers Ekos provided a detailed economic study revealing that the full cost to the public purse would be £166.7 million over the proposed 30-year term on the contract – or £5.5 million per year.

Ardrossan is campaigning to retain the 180-year-old ferry route following an attempt by Associated British Ports (ABP) to shift the service to Troon.

North Ayrshire Council and Peel Ports, the operators of Ardrossan Harbour, have now submitted their financial case to Transport Minister Humza Yousaf who is expected to make a decision in the next few months on the future of the lifeline route.

The council and Peel Ports have pledged over £15 million to upgrade the Ardrossan ferry facilities and prepare for the arrival of a new £48.5 million CalMac vessel which will service the lifeline route from next year.

North Ayrshire Council Leader Joe Cullinane said: “Our study shows the true extent of the cost to ‘Scotland plc’ of moving the ferry to Troon. These costs would need to be borne by passengers, government and the private and public sectors – everyone would lose out.

“The figures are horrendous and underline the point that we have been making all along – that the Ardrossan crossing is the shortest, fastest and cheapest route available and there is simply no business or economic case for moving the ferry to Troon.”

According to the report, additional costs over the next 30 years would include:

* £75m in higher passenger fares, due to the Road Equivalent Tariff formula, since the Troon route to Arran is 38 per cent further than the Ardrossan route

* £9m in additional fuel costs - £300,000 per year due to the longer distance

* £15m in additional crew costs

* £15m in additional ferry servicing costs due to the 38 per cent longer journey

* £30m capital funding requirement to replace losses to the local community

Councillor Cullinane added: “In addition to this burden on the public purse, the removal of the ferry would also jeopardise plans for a further £100 million worth of regeneration investment in Ardrossan, which is already one of the most deprived communities in Scotland.

“The ferry routes to Arran and Campbeltown are the heartbeat of this town. The local economic plan focusses specifically on the continuing regeneration of the harbour as the key economic driver in Ardrossan.

"These plans would be halted in their tracks if the ferry were to be removed."

Peel Ports have pledged a multi-million pound package of private investment in the harbour and marine facilities to ensure that the terminal matches the new, world-class ferry which is scheduled to come into service in July 2018 and which has been specifically designed for the existing Ardrossan/Arran route.

Doug Coleman, Peel Ports’ project director for Ardrossan Harbour said: “Moving the ferry from Ardrossan would not only result in a huge cost for all concerned and be an enormous blow to the already-fragile economy of North Ayrshire, it would also result in a 38 per cent longer journey, higher ticket prices and fewer sailings for the Arran residents who rely on the service.

“Our major investment in the harbour facilities, together with the new, more powerful vessel coming on stream in 2018 will deliver a step-change in reliability and comfort for hundreds of thousands of passengers every year.”

Responding to the report, Cunninghame North MSP Kenneth Gibson, said: “This report reveals the huge, ongoing costs of switching the ferry away from the shortest, fastest and cheapest route.

“Having discussed their investment plans in detail with Peel Ports and North Ayrshire Council, I’m very confident that continuing to sail from new, modern facilities at Ardrossan is a no-brainer for the Scottish taxpayer and will deliver the most reliable and convenient service for Arran residents and visitors alike.”

Ross Greer, West Scotland MSP, added: “The evidence for the ferry staying in Ardrossan has always been overwhelming and is growing all the time. Not only is it the better option financially, but to move the route would be to remove something that has been at the heart of a community for 180 years. The ferry must stay and be supported at Ardrossan so that it can continue to contribute so much to the local economy and community and that Scottish Government should make that decision without any further delay.”