Kenneth Gibson: Humza Yousaf will stick to Ardrossan pledge

Kenneth Gibson's comments came after Scotland's cabinet secretary for net zero and just transition, Mairi McAllan, told MSPs that no decision has been taken by ministers on whether Ardrossan's harbour would EVER be used by Arran's two delayed and over-budget ferries.

Ms McAllan was grilled by MSPs on Holyrood's net zero, transport and connectivity committee on January 30 amid growing concern at the long-delayed upgrade work required for Arran's two new ferries, MVs Glen Sannox and Glen Rosa, to operate to and from Ardrossan.

The ships, when they are ready, will have to use Troon, rather than Ardrossan, until the North Ayrshire port is upgraded.

A business case for the Ardrossan works is currently being reviewed by Transport Scotland amid concern at significant cost increases. 

MV Glen Sannox isn't due to be delivered until later this year (Image: Newsquest)

That review was originally meant to be complete by the end of November, but it has still not been concluded.

Mr Gibson, the SNP MSP for Cunninghame North, said: "First Minister Humza Yousaf MSP has repeatedly committed to Ardrossan as the port of choice serving Brodick.

“It’s clear that major investment will be required to ensure that happens.

“Nevertheless, I am confident that he will honour that commitment and the MV Glen Sannox will be based at Troon only temporarily.”

Ms McAllan told MSPs on the committee that ministers were still working to complete a business case review for essential repair works to the harbour.

Scottish Conservative transport spokesman Graham Simpson asked whether ministers have considered the possibility that Ardrossan may not be used for the new ferries at all.

Ms McAllan responded: “Absolutely no decision has been taken on that. It would be wrong of me to pre-empt the work of the taskforce and the business case review.”

Mr Simpson said: “No decision, therefore it’s a possibility?”

Ms McAllan replied: “There’s no decision. That’s all I can say.”

Recent problems at Ardrossan harbour include the closure of the terminal's 'Irish berth' on safety grounds after a dive inspection revealed concerns at the condition of the structure.

Peel Ports, which owns the facility, said last week that it hoped to have more information by the end of this month to enable it to reach a decision on returning the berth to operation. 

MV Alfred at Ardrossan Harbour's Irish berth (Image: ewe)

The problems with the berth led CalMac to introduce a freight-only service between Brodick and Troon on January 30, using MV Alfred, the catamaran which the ferry operator is currently chartering from private firm Pentland Ferries.

The Irish berth is the only one at Ardrossan which MV Alfred is able to use.

Last year, the First Minister told Mr Gibson at Holyrood: "I give an assurance that the Scottish Government remains committed to ensuring that the Arran ferry service is fit for the future, and that we will continue to engage closely with the community as that work very much progresses.

"The business case and cost review for the Ardrossan harbour project are currently being progressed.

"The minister for transport wrote to the Ardrossan task force recently to advise that that work is being expanded in order to help determine the scope more definitively, with reporting expected by February 2024.

"I fully appreciate that that will be disappointing news. However, it is essential that the scope of the work is clearly defined in order to provide greater certainty on the project costs and the financial package that is required for each of the funding partners to deliver an improved service for the Arran community."