Holyrood debate focuses on ferries and Ardrossan Harbour

Kenneth Gibson, the SNP’s MSP for Cunninghame North, clashed angrily with his Conservative opponent Jamie Greene over the delay to the harbour project – and the technical troubles plaguing the ageing Caledonian MacBrayne fleet that have caused major disruption to the Ardrossan-Brodick route and to ferry services across the west coast.

Mr Greene, a regional MSP for the West of Scotland, was granted the debate in the Holyrood chamber on June 20.

Mr Gibson claimed an announcement on the harbour’s upgrade, which was promised in 2018 by the then transport minister, and now former First Minister, Humza Yousaf, would have been made by now if Mr Sunak hadn’t decided to call a snap general election.

MV Alfred at the now closed Irish Berth (Image: Newsquest)

Strict campaign rules during election periods, known as ‘purdah’, prevent governments, both local and national, making announcements that could give, or be perceived as giving, an advantage to any party or candidate.

And at the close of the debate, transport minister Fiona Hyslop said she did not anticipate an announcement on Ardrossan harbour’s future until “after the pre-election period”.

Mr Greene’s motion asked the parliament to “note with concern” the disruption to CalMac’s routes ahead of the busy summer season, and particularly referred to the Arran route, where the main vessel, the 31-year-old MV Caledonian Isles, is out of action for major repairs.

The route is being covered by the 40-year-old MV Isle of Arran, which also has a much smaller capacity, and which is expected to remain as the stand-in ship on the route until August

MV Isle of Arran is now the island's main ferry (Image: Newsquest)

Mr Gibson said: “I have hardly been shy about criticising CalMac, or the Scottish Government, or Transport Scotland when appropriate.

“However, this obviously party political motion, submitted a fortnight after the Prime Minister called an election, fools no-one.

“The Arran and Cumbrae economies are heavily reliant on tourism. Any politician who today proclaims chaos and disarray on the network does so with the clear knowledge they are undermining the confidence of visitors on which these economies rely.

“There should be a very good reason for doing so, but these issues have all been raised months ago.

“We were set for a decision on the future of Ardrossan Harbour two weeks ago. By calling a snap election, Mr Greene’s party ensured an announcement was blocked thanks to the purdah rules imposed on Scottish Government announcements.”

The Ardrossan Harbour plans were agreed six years ago (Image: NAC)

Mr Greene hit back: "There are two reasons why I am bringing this motion. One, because the Government hasn't, and second, because Mr Gibson doesn't have the backbone to."

An angry Mr Gibson responded: “That’s absolutely pitiful. I was raising issues as necessary before you were even elected as a list member.”

Earlier Mr Greene revealed that CalMac Ferries Lrd had paid out £454,165 in compensation to passengers for delays or cancellations during 2022-23: almost eight times the £57,822 paid out in 2017-18.

Starting the debat, Mr Greene said: “It is astounding that nearly a decade on, many of the problems that we debated back then are still not resolved, but in many ways are even worse.

“None of this is the fault of the islanders themselves, who have long since lost trust in the Government to fix their problems."

He continued: “We can’t even get a reliable service to Cumbrae which is a journjey so short that even I could swim it… one a good day, maybe.

“Make no bones about it, our islands are suffering. North Ayrshire Council tell me it costs businesses £170,000 a day in lost revenue when there are ferry problems. One business has reported nearly half a million pounds in lost revenue.”

MV Caledonian Isles has been out of service since January for major repairs (Image: Charlie Gilmour)

Mr Gibson responded: “The fleet indeed has issues, and has aged, and lacks resilience. Arran has borne the brunt of the latest round of disruption, while Cumbrae has had to endure a series of technical faults.

“Sadly today’s debate has nothing to do with any of these issues; it is about a press release for Mr Greene attacking the Scottish Government and CalMac.”

Katy Clark MSP (Labour, West Scotland) said: “It is clear that the problem on the ferry routes have increased significantly in recent years with a massive impact on the lives of islanders, the island economy and island tourism.

"We face a significant crisis. Last year the net zero, energy and transport committee reported high levels of dissatisfaction amongst users.

“Issues include missed school hours, disrupted attendance at medical appointments, the inability to care for relatives and friends, cancelled holidays and a range of other problems.”

MV Glen Sannox will have to sail to and from Troon, instead of Ardrossan, unless and until the Ardrossan harbour upgrade work is completed. (Image: Newsquest)

Closing the debate, Ms Hyslop said: “I agree that the points raised here have all been well rehearsed, but it does give me an opportunity to share with Parliament as much as I can.

“The Scottish Government accepts that on a number of routes, including Arran, communities are not getting the capacity they deserve. This is why we are focussing on the way we deliver these services.

“I have been assured by CalMac that MV Caledonian Isles is expected to return to service in August. Meanwhile, Scottish ministers have provided funds for the charter of MV Alfred, including funding to secure extra crew to allow for the vessel’s full capacity to be used.”

She said the plans included Troon-based MV Alfred being able to take an increased range of vehicles on board.

By the time the Westminster election is held on July 4, the Scottish Parliament’s summer recess will have begun.

However, it’s not yet clear whether the announcement on the fate of the Ardrossan upgrade - which was paused last year for a re-examination of the financial position of the project, amid concern at a major increase in costs – will have to wait until the end of the Holyrood recess on August 31.

Transport secretary Fiona Hyslop MSP

The upgrade is essential if Caledonian MacBrayne’s new ferries, MVs Glen Sannox and Glen Rosa, are to use Ardrossan as the main Arran service’s mainland port.

Until Ardrossan is properly upgraded, both new ships will have to use Troon instead.