A DISILLUSIONED Ardrossan councillor has questioned the ability of Scotland's new First Minister to deliver the Ardrossan Harbour redevelopment.

Humza Yousaf promised the key project when he was transport minister six years ago.

But Labour councillor Amanda Kerr says she still doesn't trust the Scottish Government to deliver the upgrades the harbour needs.

Councillor Kerr was commenting after North Ayrshire Council's leader, SNP councillor Marie Burns, said she had confidence in Mr Yousaf's ability to fulfil the promise he made in 2017.

Cllr Kerr said: “It is astonishing that anyone can look at the record Humza Yousaf has in political office and say they have confidence in his ability to finish the job.

 “Humza Yousaf was the transport minister who considered Troon’s predatory bid in the first place, and promised to deliver the Ardrossan Harbour project six years ago this month.

"How can we trust him to deliver the upgrade now?

“A failure to do so would mean the ferry goes to Troon and never comes back.”

Cllr Kerr also criticised Mr Yousaf's decision to downgrade the role of transport from a dedicated Cabinet Secretary job – and said Kevin Stewart's appointment as transport minister means there have now been six different ministers leading the Ardrossan task force since North Ayrshire won the fight to retain Ardrossan as the mainland port for the Arran ferry service.

She added: “With the ongoing ferries scandal, and the debacle over the redevelopment of Ardrossan Harbour, it is little wonder that transport has been removed from the Cabinet.

"But the fact we have now had six ministers lead the Ardrossan task force in six years demonstrates how incompetent the SNP government’s handling of these projects has really been.

“This is a national scandal, but one with very real local consequences for Arran, Ardrossan and the whole of North Ayrshire.”

However the Scottish Government insisted plans for the development are in hand.

Mr Stewart said: “I share the frustrations of island communities about progress of the Ardrossan Harbour project, which is at a privately-owned port. 

“The project is currently at the tender design stage; before progressing to the tender bid and evaluation, contract award and contractor mobilisation, subject to agreeing commercial terms and funding approval.

“The current indicative programme for the Ardrossan harbour project indicates construction stage commencing in spring 2024 and completion by spring 2026.

 “The legal and commercial arrangements continue to be progressed by Transport Scotland, with both Peel Ports Group and North Ayrshire Council contributing towards the project.

“Some third party ports are owned by local councils and private companies, such as Ardrossan, which can bring complexities to projects.

"However we remain committed to reaching a solution which will benefit all project partners involved.

“The Ardrossan task force met on March 22, chaired by Jenny Gilruth, the then minister for transport. The minutes will be published on the Transport Scotland webpage once agreed by all project partners.

“Based upon the current indicative programme for the construction works at Ardrossan, the service is expected to be operating out of Troon temporarily until the works are completed by spring 2026. 

“Services are therefore expected to resume from Ardrossan in summer 2026 with MV Glen Sannox and Hull 802, subject to successful completion of the works."