MSPs react to ferry chaos after closure of Ardrossan berth

Today, they called for action from the Scottish Government and harbour owners Peel Ports.

It is believed the Irish Berth is out of action until at least Wednesday, January 24 following an inspection by divers earlier this week. Details of the problem are yet to be revealed.

The closure affects services to Arran because it is the only berth which can be used by CalMac's chartered catamaran MV Alfred.

The main berth is still operating and a second CalMac ferry MV Isle of Arran will continue to sail to Arran.

A spokesperson for Transport Scotland said: "It is the responsibility of the harbour authority, Peel Ports Group, to examine and ensure safe use of the harbour. 

"Stakeholders have only just been made aware of this issue, which was raised during a routine maintenance check.

“It will be for CalMac to determine any actions required in relation to these developments, whilst ensuring continuity of service for the communities that rely on these vital ferry links.”

MSPs Kenneth Gibson, left Katy Clark and Jamie Greene (Image: Newsquest)

Cunninghame North MSP Kenneth Gibson told the Herald he was still waiting to hear back from harbour owners Peel Ports about the issue and revealed CalMac had told him: "Further dive inspections will be carried out over the next week."

The MSP said he would be raising the issue at "ministerial level".

Katy Clark MSP, Scottish Labour MSP for West Scotland, said: "This is yet another development that will cause real worry among communities which rely on the Ardrossan-Arran service, the busiest on the entire network.

"We need clarity about how long this berth will be out of action, whether it will affect the harbour's redevelopment, which is set to cost millions, and whether services are likely to be relocated to Troon for an extensive period.

"The harbour project has already been significantly delayed as a result of intransigence on the part of landowner Peel Ports and incompetence on the part of the Scottish Government.

"The need for progress has now never been so urgent, particularly as the delivery dates for the two Arran ferries under construction at Ferguson Marine finally draw closer. Moving the service to Troon on a permanent basis would be disastrous and an admission of failure.

"Communities need and deserve a reliable crossing at Ardrossan, with port facilities which are modernised and up to scratch."

West of Scotland Conservative MSP Jamie Greene added: "This is grim news for Arran and Ardrossan. I'm afraid this development will surprise no one who has been keeping tabs on the shocking way the Scottish Government have treated Ardrossan and Arran. 

"We now have a vessel, costing millions of pounds to lease, drafted in to replace the new Arran ferry which has cost hundreds of millions of pounds to build and hasn’t arrived yet, which itself isn't able to dock at the port for which it was built for, you couldn’t make this up if you tried. 

"To learn the temporary vessel now is unable to berth in a port which has suffered decades of underinvestment, and the SNP holding back overdue upgrades, surely is the last nail in the coffin for those on both sides of the Ardrossan to Arran ferry route. 

"We need urgent clarity from CalMac on where the MV Alfred is going to port, and urgent clarity from SNP Ministers in Edinburgh over what they will do to make Ardrossan harbour fit for purpose. 

"This is devastating news."

CalMac today announced they had added extra sailings between Lochranza and Claonig "to help with capacity issues".

Additional sailings will depart Lochranza at 09.30am, 10.45am, 12pm, 1.15pm, 2.30pm, 3.45pm.

Departing Claonaig - 10.05am, 11.20am, 12.35pm, 1.50pm, 3.05pm and 3.45pm.

These sailings are non-bookable.