THE RELIABILITY of Ardrossan as the home port for the Arran ferry service was boosted again this week with new figures obtained by the Herald.

And Arran’s MSP Kenneth Gibson believes that Ardrossan is by far and away the best port to provide a lifeline service between Arran and the Ayrshire mainland.

The figures show that over 3 per cent of sailings between July 1, 2015 and June 30, 2016 were affected by the weather and Peel Ports’ Programme Director said that ‘not one of the cancelled sailings were due to problems at Ardrossan.’

Kenneth Gibson told the Herald: “Ardrossan is 12 nautical miles from Brodick, Troon 18, so sailing times and ferry prices will inevitably be higher, with fewer sailings, should Troon replace Ardrossan, impacting on capacity, affordability and competitiveness. It will also damage the North Ayrshire economy and cost 165 jobs in Ardrossan. I am therefore absolutely committed to preserving the existing route.

“On November 7 I met and took the liberty of inviting Douglas Coleman, Programme Director, Peel Ports to last Monday’s Isle of Arran Ferry Committee (IoAFC). He readily agreed and gave an outline of Peel’s plans for Ardrossan.

Mr Coleman challenged concerns over Ardrossan’s reliability as a port and said: “Not one of 4,497 sailings scheduled from July 1, 2015 to June 30 was cancelled due to problems at Ardrossan.

“Of 298 sailings - 3.83 per cent - cancelled due to bad weather, three quarters were cancelled due to wind speeds of greater than 35 knots, above which sailing can be a very unpleasant and possibly unsafe experience. Fog and high swell accounted for the remaining cancellation. Ports such as Troon are equally susceptible.”

The above was confirmed earlier that day by Simon Richmond, CalMac Regional Operations Manager.

Peel Ports are committed to ensuring that their assets match the needs of the new ferry which will enter service in summer 2018 and accept that work must be done to upgrade and modernise Ardrossan Harbour.

They do not believe there is a need to match the investment in Brodick, which was to build a completely new harbour.

Peel are keen to work with the Scottish Government to secure a long term contract for Ardrossan and with NAC to rationalise their assets.

Peel hope to retain marine assets - harbour, fenders, linkspan and bollards, which will be made compatible with the new ferry. The wave wall will be upgraded and both berths improved, with two new fenders, new gangways etc;

The new vessel has three bow thrusters; 2340 kW of power compared to 720 kW for the Caledonian Isles, so it will manoeuvre more easily.

NAC will assume responsibility - should discussions prove fruitful - for road access, car parking, gantries, marshalling area and acquire additional land for parking.

There is a need to redevelop the terminal. Peel is looking to a 25 year partnership.

By the end of this month, Peel will deliver their technical submission and on December 19 their commercial submission.

Mr Gibson added:

“I suggested that IoAFC meet on December 19 to discuss the commercial submission and asked each member to liaise with their organisation about supporting Ardrossan, with a view to coming back that evening with an answer. Members readily agreed.

“There are myriad reasons to support Ardrossan as Arran’s mainland port of choice. A united front will help secure it.”