Delays to Ardrossan Harbour work are 'of great concern'

Transport Minister Fiona Hyslop told the Scottish Parliament on Tuesday that no timescale had yet been confirmed for the vital work which will allow the harbour to be upgraded to allow the two new Arran ferries to operate from it.

The work, which could take years, will mean the Arran ferry service will be relocated from, Ardrossan to Troon while the work is carried out.

SNP MSP Mr Gibson said today: "The Scottish Government and the First Minister, personally, are committed to Ardrossan Harbour’s redevelopment.

“However, delays to the commencement of this project continue to be of great concern.

“Negotiations between NAC, the Scottish Government and Peel over their respective financial commitment to the redevelopment of Ardrossan harbour took years to successfully conclude and design changes and construction inflation have added to the cost and complexity.

“Nevertheless, as soon as the updated business case is concluded, tendering to ensure redevelopment work can begin on site must proceed at the earliest possible opportunity.”

Transport Minister Fiona Hyslop and, right, Kenneth Gibson MSP at Holyrood this week (Image: Newsquest)

On Tuesday, Ms Hyslop told Holyrood: "In relation to Ardrossan, as I have outlined in this chamber, that the improvement works will need to be extended from the original investment proposal.

"The replacement or strengthening of the Winton Pier at Ardrossan and the Irish berth, which in certain winter conditions ferries use to manoeuvre of of the harbour, has expanded that piece of work.

"North Ayrshire Council and also Peel Ports, as partners in that process, are delivering ongoing work to make sure that we have got the robust investment decision that we can make."

She said she was unable to give a date for the start of the upgrade as they were awaiting a report from consultants which would not be available until "late November".

Ayrshire Weekly Press have contacted the Scottish Government to ask of the consultant's report has now been made available to them now November is over.

Read more: MSP raises concerns that ferry service will be lost to Troon

The delays to the harbour project led to questions from Conservative MSP Jamie Greene and Labour MSP Katy Clark earlier this week.

Raising the issue with the Transport Minister, Mr Greene said: "We were told that the Ardrossan Harbour upgrade would be finished construction by spring or summer 2026, I’d quite like an update on whether that’s still on track.

"All this contradicts comments made in the letter to the finance committee by Deputy First Minister Shona Robinson that this reprofiling will, I quote ‘push out timescales for future improvements'.

"So my next question is this: what future improvements will be 'pushed out' - delayed, in other parlance - and are these harbour redevelopment plans also going to be delayed or are they on track as well?"

Ms Hyslop said the Ardrossan works would need to be extended from the initial proposal due to additional work being required at the harbour.

Ms Clark added: "Ardrossan waited six years for the Scottish Government to agree terms with Peel Ports while ministers refused to agree with the call to bring the port back into public ownership to make progress.

"There is now real concern that Ardrossan is going to lose out to Troon permanently.

“What is the Scottish Government doing to ensure urgent consideration of a business case for the essential works at Ardrossan Harbour - and why has this work been left so late?"

Ms Hyslop responded: "Clearly the issue of public ownership is a different one necessarily to the progress of the different partners in delivering the works are are required in relation to Ardrossan.

"I want to make sure we have the most robust business case we can.

"For example NAC have been liaising with the Isle of Arran Ferry Committee, and have appointed consultants to provide a report.

"That won’t be available until late November, so we couldn’t deliver in terms of that business case now. But that's what partnership working is about.

"There are more than one partners involved in this and looking at the extension for the Winton Pier and the 'Irish berth', which would not have been in the original proposals that she had reflected on."