DOUBTS have been raised over the viability of the new Arran Ferry by two North Ayrshire Councillors.

Ardrossan and Arran Conservative Councillor Timothy Billings, has raised concern about the ability of the new ferry being able to dock at Ardrossan 'in anything other than almost calm conditions' and why it has gotten to this stage without being questioned.

His motion, which will be heard at the last meeting of North Ayrshire Council of the year next Wednesday afternoon, calls on North Ayrshire Chief Executive Elma Murray to write to Humza Yousaf, the Scottish Government Minister for Transport and the Islands, asking four questions.

It reads: "The Isle of Arran is one of North Ayrshire’s most buoyant and developing communities, and attracts over 700,000 visitors every year.

"North Ayrshire Council is aware of Arran’s importance and is working with local communities to further develop the island through new housing and business support. All the work that has been done, and is due to take place, to support the ferry link between Ardrossan and Arran, is to ensure that both Arran and Ardrossan gain from the economic and social benefits that such a vibrant economy brings.

"Council and community were assured that the new ferry was being designed and built for Ardrossan Harbour.

"Following a full Scottish Transport Appraisal Guidance (STAG) Ardrossan was chosen as the best harbour. In announcing the decision in April 2017 that the Arran ferry would stay at Ardrossan, Secretary for Economy, Jobs and Fair Work Keith Brown said: “Having considered all the evidence and representations, we have decided that retaining Ardrossan as the mainland port for the Arran ferry service is the best option." “The study looked at the options under four broad pillars: Connectivity, Reliability, Overall Operational Cost to the Public Purse and Socio-Economic considerations." 

“The Scottish Government is committed to supporting our lifeline ferry links and ensuring that the Arran ferry service is fit for purpose, whilst also getting the best value for the public purse.”

"It is therefore, deeply disappointing and concerning to learn that not only will be new £45m ferry (Glen Sannox) not be coming in to service on time, but also that significant issues are just being raised about the ability of the new ferry to operate effectively from Ardrossan.

"Due to the layout of Ardrossan port there are concerns that the new vessel will not be able to operate in anything other than in almost calm conditions, providing a worse service than is already provided by the Caledonian Isles ferry.

"The people of Arran and North Ayrshire were assured that the new vessel was being built to a design that was particularly suited to the operating constraints of Ardrossan Harbour, and that it would provide an enhanced service compared with the current service.

"The total investment in the Arran ferry link is around £90m (£30m for Brodick terminal, £45 for Glen Sannox, £15m for Ardrossan). This has been many years in the planning and has involved three major publicly owned and operated bodies – Transport Scotland, CMAL and Caledonian MacBrayne.

"The people of North Ayrshire, and in particular Arran, are asking why it is only now, as this huge project is entering its last phase, that we discover the new ferry is not fit for purpose.

"Why, with such large amounts of money at stake, were these questions not sorted out in the planning phase?

"I therefore move that Council instructs the Chief Executive to write to the Minister for Transport and the Islands (a) to express in the strongest terms the Council’s disappointment and concern about the current mess and uncertainty that surrounds the final stages of the upgrade to the Arran and Ardrossan ferry link, (b) for an explanation as to how this situation has been allowed to occur, (c) for an assurance that Ardrossan will continue to be the port of choice for the Arran ferry and (d) that if Ardrossan Harbour requires additional modifications to ensure that an efficient and reliable ferry service can operate from the harbour, this will at no additional cost to the people of North Ayrshire."

The motion is set to be seconded by his Conservative colleague, Dalry and West Kilbride Councillor Todd Ferguson.

The Council's meeting is set to be streamed through its new webcasting service for the very first time.

See next week's paper for full reaction.