THE campaign to keep the ferry in Ardrossan ramped up over the weekend with the Troon Business Association starting their campaign to #ChooseTroon. 

On Saturday they published a list of 26 'reasons' to Choose Troon and we have decided to have a look at this and see what they actually mean. 

Here is the whole list with added comments on each point: 
"On behalf of The Troon business association have a look at why #choosetroon:"

1. #choosetroon a more reliable service - not proven in any way whatsoever.

2. #choosetroon lower carbon footprint with foot passengers increasing and cars decreasing - Based on what? The carbon footprint will more than likely rise due to extended journey times and distances.

3 #choosetroon will increase visitors to Arran - no research proof or anything else to back up this statement.

4. #choosetroon and increase cyclists and walkers - this is made up, nothing to support this at all.

5. #choosetroon will have fewer cancellations in winter and boost winter tourism - Again, not proven.

6. #choosetroon to give islanders direct access to 2 airports - Ardrossan also has direct links to both Glasgow and Prestwick Airports.

7. #choosetroon to give islanders better and closer access to hospitals - Closer, maybe but better is purely opinionated and based on no facts and does not take public transport into consideration, not everyone drives or can afford to take a vehicle on the ferry.

8. #choosetroon to give better links to motorways and major cities - says who?

9. #choosetroon to help businesses on Arran - in what way?

10. #choosetroon and save the public purse over £30 million - Peel Ports have described this figure as 'Made Up'.

11. #choosetroon and boost the licensed trade on Arran as fewer will need to drive - Based on no figures at all. 

12. #choosetroon for direct links and not change trains - You can get a train direct from Ardrossan Harbour to Glasgow Central. There is no need to change trains. 

13. #choosetroon to boost tourism on Arran - No proof that this will be the case.

14. #choosetroon to build trade links with Ayrshire for golf, holidays, food trade - Are these not already in place?

15. #choosetroon and Arran will benefit from more repeat visitors over the season - Absolutely no proof behind this statement.

16. #choosetroon and connect with our great cycle network - A fair point, a cycle network that eventually gets to Ardrossan and beyond.

17. #choosetroon and give islanders a lovely place to visit for a day out - Troon is a lovely place, we're not disputing this but it's not top of anyone's list to have 'a lovely place to visit'.

18. #choosetroon and most jobs will transfer the port need staff - This makes no sense.

19. #choosetroon has a port already to take the new larger ferry - Ardrossan will be equipped to take the new ferry with plans already in place. 

20. #choosetroon port can accommodate up to 900 cars - Ardrossan has a large car park too which is more than adequate. 

21. #choosetroon and we will provide a tourist information centre for Arran - Who is 'we' and where will this money come from?

22. #choosetroon choose a brighter future for Arran they are the community who matter most. Arran will still belong to North Ayrshire - Nobody is disputing that Arran is still in North Ayrshire.

23. #choosetroon and be closer to Crosshouse Hospital and North Ayrshire Council's Head Office - A repeated point about the hospital and it would take seven minutes longer when driving to Cunninghame House, this doesn't take public transport into consideration at all. 

24. #choosetroon and bring more visitors from all over the UK to explore Arran - Again, this is unsubstantiated nonsense.

25. #choosetroon and we will keep investing - Can't argue with investment, every town needs it.

26. Arran is the most important in this campaign and #choosetroon has Arran at the forefront along with ABP ports - A number of people would disagree with this. 

Of the 26, 15 are completely unsubstantiated and based on nothing whatsoever, seven are completely valid for Ardrossan and Troon rendering them pretty much obsolete and two points are completely based on opinion, number 25 is great to hear and number 22 is not disputed by anyone we have spoken to but the 'brighter future' comment is again not proven. 

The case being made for Ardrossan is based on facts. It is quicker to get from Arran to Ardrossan, it is cheaper to get to Arran from Ardrossan, it is faster to get to Arran from Ardrossan, the train station is within a two-minute walk with other transport links within five minutes and people stand to lose their jobs if the ferry relocates to Troon.