THE already delayed ferry which is to be deployed to serve the Isle of Arran could be delayed until 2020, it has been conceded.

Michael Matheson MSP, the Cabinet Secretary for Transport, made the concession at a committee at Holyrood last week that the MV Glen Sannox and the other ship, which has yet to be named, are not expected to be in service until next year at the earliest.

Mr Matheson told Holyrood’s rural economy and connectivity committee that the dual-fuel ships – the first of their kind in the UK – could be sailing next year.

But he admitted there are “still some questions” about whether this will happen.

He said at the committee: “Where we are with these two vessels is simply not where any of us would want to be.

“We want to see these vessels being utilised and on routes.

“At the present moment the indications are they expect both vessels to be completed next year, one in the earlier part of the year prior to the summer, and one later in the year.

“However, there are still some questions about their ability to keep to those timescales.”

West Scotland Conservative List MSP Jamie Greene said: “What matters to folk is that ferries are delivered - they’re clearly way over schedule.”

He asked the Transport Secretary: “Can you give people living on our island communities any indication as to when they might expect these new ferries in operation?”

The transport secretary described the delays as being “disappointing”.

The issues surrounding the new ferry have been well documented over the last two years and the MV Glen Sannox is an integral part of the economy of both Arran and Ardrossan and is set to compliment the upgrade works soon to be starting at Ardrossan Harbour.