THE debate over the ability of the Ardrossan-Arran Ferry took a twist last week after it was revealed that the current ferry can’t dock on the simulator used.

North Ayrshire Council’s last meeting of 2017 had a motion from Conservative Councillor for Ardrossan and Arran, Timothy Billings, which brought up the viability of the new Glen Sannox ferry and asked for the Chief Executive of the council to write to the Scottish Government about it.

Cllr Joe Cullinane, Leader of the Council, tabled an amendment which asked for a continued cross-party approach into the issue and recognised that the simulations used in testing were not all that they seemed.

And the Herald understands that the issue is with the simulator and not anyone using the software.

He said: “The amendment that I have circulated around members is, I hope, going continue the the cross-party cooperation on the issue of the Ardrossan to Arran Ferry for over a year. I think the starting point we have to make absolutely clear is that any suggestions that the new boat will not be suitable or able to run a reliable service from Ardrossan Harbour is quite clearly inconclusive.

“The simulations that have been trialled have also been trialled with the existing boat that is on the service and the professional who berths that boat on a day to day basis, was unable to berth the existing boat as well as they were unable to berth the new boat, so there are clearly some concerns about how reliable the actual simulations are in that sense.

“There has been quite clearly been a delay on the delivery of the new Arran ferry, the Glen Sannox, and I think everybody would acknowledge that that is a disappointment. A disappointment to the people of Arran who have been looking forward to a new boat, an improved service and a quicker service but at the same time, delays happen and actually the delay allows us the breathing space to make sure that what we’re doing in terms of our options in improving Ardrossan Harbour and the best, the most efficient and effective options that we can possibly put on the table that will deliver the best and most efficient service for the people on Arran who rely on the ferry service.

“What I would like to add is that there is absolutely no suggestion that the cost of any additional works at Ardrossan Harbour will get anywhere near the additional costs of moving the Arran ferry to another port, such as Troon, the STAG report was pretty clear about the cost of moving the ferry service and quite clearly came down on the side of Ardrossan on a whole range of issues.

“I think it is absolutely necessary for the council to engage in a positive and constructive manner on this issue while noting our disappointment on the delay of the Glen Sannox we shouldn’t be alarming people that the new boat, at this stage, is going to deliver any less reliable a service than is currently delivered and our objective is to continue to deliver a boat, with the investment at Ardrossan Harbour that will actually improve the service for the people that rely on the service.”

Cllr Billings, whilst agreeing with the Council Leader, did not accept his amendment and said that it missed the bigger point of the lack of criticism for the process so far.

He retorted: “I actually agree with everything that Councillor Cullinane has written there but it misses the point of the motion which is actually to be critical of the process so far. Not of North Ayrshire Council, North Ayrshire Council has worked admirably in fact, with out the constructive work of North Ayrshire Council we wouldn’t be where we are now.

“This was an opportunity for the whole design of the ferry service of Ardrossan and Arran to be looked at afresh because Ardrossan could be worked on, Brodick has already been worked on and the ship that goes between the two could have been designed specifically to run in that route.”

After the floor was opened up, the SNP Group Leader, Cllr Marie Burns, agreed with her Labour counterpart and showed support for his views, she said: “I think Councillor Cullinane is right, we have had cross-party working on this to date and I don’t actually think the motion as set out assists the approach that we have been taken so I want to support the amendment.”

Cllr Alex Gallagher, who has been involved in the Ardrossan Harbour Taskforce and the process from the start agreed with his colleague Cllr Cullinane and added: “There have fairly obviously been issues with this project. North Ayrshire Council has done a very good job on its end of the project, we have held up our end very well, wherever there may be problems in the project, it is not our problem, we didn’t cause it. We may inherit it but we didn’t cause it.

“There are stages of this development to go through yet. We have to have sea trials, further refine the simulations and, indeed, and if we are really very lucky we will find that we have been given a false indicator here. I think it is premature to go placing the blame, I think we go neutral and I think that’s what the amendment does.”

It then went to a vote with the following results: Amendment - 25 Motion - 6, meaning that the Tories were defeated and that the cross-party approach would be continued.