Arran ferry service will return to Ardrossan from Friday

Operators CalMac had to switch the main Brodick ferry service to Troon last week, due to weather conditions.

But the service to and from the South Ayrshire port lasted longer than CalMac, and the vast majority of its Arran passengers, had hoped for - after Ardrossan harbour owners Peel Ports carried out repair work on the fenders at the North Ayrshire port's only remaining ferry berth.

Those repairs overran when a defective fender had to be removed and replaced.

But CalMac confirmed on Thursday that the ferry service will return to Ardrossan from February 16 onwards.

A spokesperson said: “Following successful repairs at Ardrossan Harbour, we can confirm that the service to Arran will return to operating from Ardrossan to Brodick on Arran from 7am on Friday, February 16.  

“After the sudden closure of the Irish berth and damage to a fender on the Arran berth at Ardrossan harbour, which was the preferred berth during adverse weather, we and our partners have reacted quickly to provide a service from Troon over the past week.

"We’d like to thank our people and our partners for their efforts to keep the service operating, and the communities and customers we serve for their patience and understanding.  

“In certain weather conditions it may not be possible to berth at Ardrossan, and in such circumstances the service may operate from Troon.

"We will not be able to alternate harbours on a sailing-by-sailing basis due to staff availability, but we are working hard to make sure we have the capacity to resource both harbours in future. 

“We will keep our passengers fully up to speed on the status of the service.” 

The MV Isle of Arran was set to operate the 4.10pm departing Troon and the 6pm departing Brodick today . On arrival in Troon the vessel will then reposition to Ardrossan to berth overnight to resume normal service on Friday morning.

The ferry's time in Troon did not go well for passengers - with many complaining about having to be bussed to and from Ardrossan harbour, the lack of parking at the Troon port, and the absence of basic facilities, including toilets.

The MV Isle of Arran at Troon, by Jean Penman (Image: Jean Penman)

On Wednesday, Arran councillor Timothy Billings told a North Ayrshire Council meeting: "It is impossible to describe, in the time I have, the devastation that's been caused to Arran as a result of the appalling ferry service we are experiencing.

"The level of service has reached a new low with the temporary transfer to Troon.

"The chaos and hardship experienced during the last week is totally unacceptable.

"This has been predicted by many people, over many years, and some people should be hanging their heads in shame."

Read more: https://www.ardrossanherald.com/news/24120592.council-launch-battle-save-ardrossan-ferry-service/

The long delayed Ardrossan harbour redevelopment is still awaiting the go-ahead - or not - from the Scottish Government, who stopped tenders for the work being agreed because of potential rising costs.

A review of the scope of the project was ordered last summer, and the results of that review have yet to be made public.

Meanwhile, Peel Ports closed Ardrossan's Irish berth for good on January 18, citing safety concerns, meaning the second Arran ferry MV Alfred could no longer operate from the harbour.

The vessel - chartered from Orkney-based Pentland Ferries - is now running a freight only service between Troon and Brodick.

The island's ferry service is also suffering a cut in capacity because its usual vessel, MV Caledonian Isles, was found to require additional repairs during its annual overhaul in January, leaving the core service in the hands of the 40-year-old relief vessel, MV Isle of Arran.

At their meeting on Wednesday, North Ayrshire councillors unanimously backed a motion by Cllr Billings seeking an urgent meeting with Scotland's transport minister over the future of Ardrossan harbour.