Ardrossan Harbour owners Peel Ports slammed over closure

The SNP MSP raised the issues currently affecting ferry services to and from Arran in the Scottish Parliament on January 23.

And Scottish Labour MSP Katy Clark called on the Scottish Government to “urgently shed light” on the state of the Ardrossan Harbour redevelopment project.

Last Thursday, Peel Ports announced the closure of the Irish berth on safety grounds following an inspection by divers.

A spokesperson for Peel Ports apologised for the closure, but added: "Safety must always be our priority."

While the harbour operator hasn't made the nature of the issue public, Ms Clark said it was the result of corrosion in the structure.

The closure forced the withdrawal of relief ship MV Alfred from the route - as the Irish berth is the only one at Ardrossan that the vessel, on charter from private firm Pentland Ferries, can use.

All services between Ardrossan and Brodick have been suspended since Sunday afternoon - initially due to weather and then after a fault was found in the main starboard engine on the 40-year-old MV Isle of Arran.

Transport minister Fiona Hyslop told the Scottish Parliament on Tuesday that repairs to the veteran ship were due to be completed that day, with sea trials due on Wednesday. 

Ms Hyslop also revealed that trials were under way for a freight-only service between Troon and Brodick.

Responding to a question by Mr Gibson, Ms Hyslop said: "I would like to acknowledge the disruption and concern this issue will have for communities on Arran, on top of current weather disruption. 

“Peel Ports as the harbour authority responsible for the port, advised CalMac to cease operations following routine inspection, impacting the MV Alfred, which can only operate to this berth. 

“The MV Isle of Arran will remain the main vessel on the route, while the MV Caledonian Isles is out of service for around five weeks for steelwork repairs. I understand the MV Isle of Arran repairs are expected to be completed today, with updates due imminently. 

“Trials to allow a freight only service from Troon using MV Alfred are to take place as soon as possible."

Mr Gibson said Peel Ports had been "less than forthcoming" about the safety concerns identified by divers and asked what information had been shared by Peel Ports. 

Ms Hyslop replied: "Clearly, it's a responsibility for Peel Ports as a harbour operator to conduct that communication. However, I can say that contact has primarily been between CalMac and Peel ports. 

“Transport Scotland has also been in liaison with Peel Ports to impress on them the urgency of the issue." 

“MV Isle of Arran was able to take on all the passengers required with the MV Alfred not being available over the weekend, but clearly we need to make sure there are good plans going forward.”

Mr Gibson MSP said later: "On top of the issues with the ferry service and weather, constituents are beyond frustrated with the lack of communication and urgency from harbour operators.

“Peel Ports have been less than forthcoming about the safety concerns identified by divers. Trying to get information from them was like trying to get blood from a stone.

Meanwhile Scottish Labour MSP Katy Clark said the Scottish Government must “urgently shed light” on the status of the harbour upgrade project.

In November, Transport Minister Fiona Hyslop indicated that “the improvement works did not at present include replacement or strengthening of the Winton Pier and Irish Berth”, meaning further structural analysis was to be carried out.

Ms Clark said: “We need to see progress, yet residents continue to be left in the dark on what’s happening. The Ardrossan Harbour Task Force has not even published meeting minutes for nearly a year, and Peel Ports has provided scant information about the seriousness of the issues with the Irish Berth.

“It took six years for Peel to finally agree grant terms on this redevelopment, then within weeks the process was again paused due to cost concerns. 

“Our communities deserve a reliable crossing at Ardrossan, with port facilities which are modernised and up to scratch.”

A spokesperson for Peel Ports Group said: “As part of routine maintenance, a temporary pause to service has been put in place at Ardrossan Harbour’s Irish berth to allow further dive inspections to take place.

"We expect the outcome of these inspections to be available by the end of the month, at which time we will take a decision on the continued operation of the berth.

“The main Arran berth is fully operational, however recent extreme weather conditions have further impacted services.

"We apologise for any inconvenience caused to users of the ferry service at this time, however safety must always be our priority.”