POLITICIANS have reiterated their pleas to the Scottish Government to make a "cast-iron commitment" to Ardrossan Harbour.

MSPs Katy Clark, Kenneth Gibson and Jamie Greene were among those debating the issue after the matter was raised at Holyrood by West Scotland regional representative Ms Clark.

The debate took place in the chambers on Wednesday, October 3, with the Labour MSP stating that "it feels like Groundhog Day" that the subject is still the focus of heated discussion.

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Referring to the issues and delays surrounding the upgrade of Ardrossan Harbour, Ms Clark called the matter a “national emergency and national embarrassment”.

She added: “Constituents rightly feel angry and frustrated, you couldn’t make this up, we’ve had enough time wasting, we’ve enough excuses.

“I have no doubt that the work would have been completed by now if the port had been in public ownership.

“The future of Ardrossan as a ferry port must be preserved, we must get that commitment from the Scottish Government.”

Responding to Ms Clark's concerns, Cunninghame North SNP MSP Kenneth Gibson made reference to the Save Ardrossan Harbour meeting which he attended the previous day.

He said: “Emotions rang high as local residents and business people spoke passionately about the harbour and its vital importance to the town and North Ayrshire.

“Ardrossan Harbour isn’t just a port serving Arran for 190 years, it’s a key pillar of the town's economy.”

Mr Gibson added: “Despite unwavering commitments from Scottish ministers to Ardrossan, the communities from Ardrossan and Arran have been left in the dark and starved of information as redevelopment has been repeatedly delayed.

“At last night’s meeting the lack of transparency in communication was clearly a source of immense frustration.

“Cast iron commitments given by the Scottish Government, North Ayrshire Council and Peel Ports to the harbour project year after year are yet to see shovels in the ground.”

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Mr Gibson also referenced Stranraer as "a stark and worrying glimpse to what life would be like without the ferry in Ardrossan".

When the Northern Irish ferry was removed from the town to Cairnryan in 2011, the economy of Stranraer contracted by 26 per cent - and has reduced by three per cent annually thereafter.

Conservative Jamie Greene said: “I’m not going to mince my words today because I think that people are angry, and that palpable anger has been building for years.

“They’re angry because we are still debating this issue, still debating the delivery of ferries, the quality of our local ports.

“I can’t believe it has been seven years since the Scottish Government said they would retain Ardrossan as the main port. The move to Troon is still a real threat.”

(Image: Scottish Parliament)

The West Scotland member also questioned whether bringing the harbour into public ownership would be 'the magic solution to the problem'.

Instead, he called on all involved parties to come together to ensure the issue is resolved quickly - or face the dire consequences.

He added: “I don’t really want to get into the blame game. I think all the stakeholders involved haven’t sat round the table.

“There is a very real and genuine concern that the current move, temporary albeit, to Troon could become a permanent feature of that route and the ferry will be lost from Ardrossan forever and the devastating impact that will have on the economy of North Ayrshire.

“If that happens, the people of North Ayrshire will never forgive this government.”

Following the debate, Jim Fairlie gave a response to parliament on behalf of cabinet secretary for transport, Fiona Hyslop, who was unable to attend.

He said: “The cabinet secretary is absolutely determined to bring this work to a conclusion as quickly as she possibly can.

“I hope that remarks here today have helped provide an indication of the active and complex work that is under way to ensure ministers have all the information needed to finalise this decision.

“There is a strong and robust business case required and confirmation of the wider funding packages is essential in this process.

“We fully understand the importance of this matter to ensure the most resilient ferry service to and from Arran.

“I want to give my absolute assurance to the people and businesses in and around Ardrossan – and also in Arran – of this government’s absolute commitment to finding a solution that works and progressing that as soon as we possibly can.

“We will update parliament and the communities as soon as this is the case.”