WORK and repairs to Ardrossan Harbour could be delayed if the construction contract is not soon awarded, a letter to the Ardrossan and Saltcoats Herald has revealed.

North Ayrshire Council described the harbour plans as “the creation of a 21st century transport hub for Ardrossan which will improve the passenger experience for all ferry users, communities and businesses”.

However with work expected to be finished by Spring 2024, it is understood that there could be delays to completion of the works as a construction contract has not yet been gifted, causing frustration and anxiety amongst frequent travellers between Ardrossan and Arran.

West Scotland MSP Jamie Greene sent a letter last week to harbour custodians Peel Ports in relation to the timescale of the required works.

An excerpt from a letter in response to Mr Greene reads: “The current programme of works, indicates that the works will be completed in 104 weeks, to achieve completion by Spring 2024, this would suggest that the construction contract would need to be tendered and awarded by Spring 2022.

“We have yet to tender the scheme and would suggest, given the size of the scheme the tender to award process is likely to be approx. 3-4 months, indicating that there is likely to be delays to the dates that you have suggest of Spring 2024.”

Commenting, Jamie Greene said: “Local residents contact me regularly about the upgrades to the Ardrossan Harbour and are keen for work to finish as soon as possible.

“That’s why I am seeking regular updates from Peel Ports and other stakeholders, so that our community can remain fully informed.

“The fact that delays are already being suggested is far from ideal and I will be raising this with Peel Ports when I meet with them soon.

“We must get firm assurances that the service will return to Ardrossan – any permanent move to Troon would be devastating for local residents and businesses.”

A spokesperson for the Arran Action Ferry Group, a community of Arran residents that work for improvement to the local ferry services, said: “With no deal in sight between Peel Ports and Transport Scotland, it appears inevitable there will be further delays to the intended autumn start this year, which further delays the completion.

“We were already braced for services routed to Troon until the projected Spring 2024 completion of the Ardrossan Harbour project, but these unreasonable delays and devastating disruption of our essential lifeline service means years of personal and economic hardship for islanders.”