Kenneth Gibson MSP – 31 March 2008

Submission from Kenneth Gibson MSP – 31 March 2008 Isle of Arran Arran is a large, geographically diverse island in the firth of Clyde, with a population of around 5,000. Arran has a significantly above average proportion of elderly people on the island, and approximately 42% of homes on the island are second homes. Tourism and farming are mainstays of the island economy, along with the manufacture of perfumes, soaps, beer, whisky and the finished production of high quality foodstuffs. Arran’s population has grown by a third since the 1970s and the island is relatively prosperous, with the lack of affordable housing being the main non-ferry issue on the island. Those issues the Transport, Infrastructure and Climate Change Committee wished to focus on are all highly relevant to Arran and everyone I have met has his/her own views on the subject. In this submission the views expressed are my own, albeit heavily influenced by broad consensus, where possible, and by individual constituents. Ferry Routes to and from Arran are all essential and need to be enhanced. The island is becoming increasingly popular as a tourist destination, yet there are only two main routes: Brodick-Ardrossan in Ayrshire and Lochranza-Claonaig in Argyll. In winter the latter service is replaced by one from Lochranza-Tarbert, also in Argyll. However, this runs only once a day in each direction and only in the afternoon. With its location, Arran could be a stopping off point for new routes to Kintyre and/or Ireland. It could also be a gateway to points north and south, for example on the highland whisky trail. Rothesay- Brodick or Lochranza could be another potential route. Due to the high number of cancellations on the Brodick-Ardrossan route during bad weather, 93 during December ’07 and January and February ’08, there is increasing support on Arran for an additional Brodick-Fairlie route, due to its more sheltered anchorage. This could run in conjunction with the existing route, not as a direct replacement for it. At present, the MV Caledonian Isles, which traverses the main Brodick-Ardrossan route alone in winter but with the MV Saturn in support during summer, sometimes sails to Gourock in bad weather, yet even there cannot always tie up. Concerns have been raised with me that this is due to a re-configuration of the Gourock pier. Constituents claim that CalMac are “in denial” that this is the case. Frequency and timetabling of services are not optimised and islanders believe that ferry times on the Brodick-Ardrossan run could and should be cut from 55 to 40 minutes, which is quite possible and well within the capacity of the MV Caledonian Isles. This would enable a more frequent service. At present, in winter the first ferry leaves for Brodick at 7.00, leaving Arran at 8.20 with the last sailing from Ardrossan at 18.00 leaving Brodick at 19.20. There are five sailings per day. In summer the number of sailings can double, thanks to the addition of the MV Saturn and there is a later sailing on a Friday night. However, their timetable is still not available today, 31 March, and this is a frequent complaint from islanders. It was known last Autumn that the MV Saturn would serve Arran this summer, yet all the CalMac timetable says is that “additional sailings are available.”‘ The MV Saturn is an essential requirement for Arran and islanders believe it should serve the island all year round. Certainly, its presence on the summer run should be guaranteed and not subject to a decision made annually. Quite simply, the island could not cope in summer with only one ferry on the Brodick-Ardrossan run and island businesses in particular, express concern that one year CalMac may decide not to run the MV Saturn or may not be able to. The Lochranza ferry is greatly valued on Arran, not least because it is rarely disrupted by adverse weather. Unfortunately it is small and can take only a few vehicles and 12 passengers. A bigger boat is needed and in winter islanders would like to see an enhancement of the once a day service. Capacity is a real issue. CalMac officials have stressed that lack of ‘capacity and infrastructure’ on Arran limits the company’s enthusiasm for RET or any other formula that could result in a significant increase in the number of travellers, particularly with regard to vehicles. Increased capacity on all ferry routes is essential. Waste previously dealt with on the island must now be transported to the mainland along with livestock, goods and services. Demand fluctuates and island capacity must be flexible to cope. Integration with other transport modes is a key issue. The Ardrossan rail link needs to be exploited more. There are concerns at Scotrail’s lack of flexibility if the ferry from Brodick arrives late. Whereas the ferry will await a late coming train, trains leave strictly on time, causing great frustration to passengers. A little bit of adaptability is required if passengers, particularly the elderly and people with disabilities are considered. In Ardrossan, bus operators have no interest in driving to the harbour to collect passengers, who must therefore walk a considerable distance, often in adverse weather. Clearly, this can make onward travel difficult for infirm passengers. The anomaly whereby Transport Scotland integrates buses and trains but not ferries should be ended and ferries included. Ferry fares and the structure of those should also be integrated. Integration on Arran itself is less of an issue, although bus services should tie in with ferry sailings. The lack of Competition and Clamac’s monopoly position is unhealthy. Competition on existing routes or provision of additional routes by another ferry operator would be welcomed on Arran. Other issues are manifold. Services at Ardrossan Harbour could be improved. A covered walkway to the railway station has been discussed over many years, yet Clydeport will not spend the money to provide it. This is despite a high income from harbour dues of £3.92 per car. 79p is the rate elsewhere in the Clyde. Money used in port duty should be used as leverage to get a better delivery of service from Clydeport. The most significant issue is ferry disruption due to inclement weather. The port of Ardrossan is”not fit for purpose” at present and requires substantial investment if it is to become a “port of refuge” during very poor weather. It must become an all weather port with a deep water linkspan or Fairlie will have to be considered as an alternative. In recent months farmers had difficulty getting produce off the island, particularly livestock, during inclement weather. The cancellation process regarding Arran relative to other islands needs to be investigated, as islanders are concerned that they endure more cancellations than other routes and want to know why? Islanders also complain that, unlike Western Ferries, CalMac don’t do enough to clear the backlog once the ferries are running again following a bout of bad weather. The Isle of Arran vessel now on the Islay run should be used for Arran as it was purpose built for it and would surely be able to cope better in adverse weather. The Caledonian Isles has a closed car deck. An open area would be better for livestock and two smaller vessels would be better than one large one, if the MV Saturn could not run all year and it meant fewer cancellations. It could also mean one vessel and one crew is based in Arran, rather than Ardrossan. The Young Scot discount, which gives young people one third off bus and train fares, should include ferries. At present, young people receive only two return tickets a year. Ferry fares are an issue. There is a substantial increase in fares during summer. Islanders naturally wonder why they should suffer from this state of affairs. Fares should remain the same for island residents all year round, with a discount for residents. The cost of taking cars to and from the island is expensive and, again, a discount for island residents should be looked at. Commercial vehicles pay through the nose, pushing up the cost of island living by 15-20%. Goods, services, construction costs are all much more expensive on Arran as a result. Island livestock and other produce is also more expensive and less competitive off the island, although much island produce is of premium quality and thus not as badly affected as might otherwise be the case. The island has to market itself, as CalMac does not. There is friction between Calmac and island businesses over the company’s decision to use ADBUS to outsource advertising. Innovative packages, it is claimed, are also stifled by CalMac, such as one that offered free ferry fares with a package at the Auchrannie Hotel and Spa, which are actually included in the cost of the Auchrannie package. On ferry tourist promotions are no longer run, due to clashes between CalMac and some prominent island businesses. The recent loss of the Post Office fishing boat, the MV Unity, which for 11 years carried mail and even blood bags and medicine in bad weather, is not being addressed effectively by CalMac. As a result the island postal service has deteriorated of late by becoming subject more to the vagaries of the weather. There are concerns that passenger gangways sometimes do not fit, CalMac do not show enough respect for the Arran Ferry Committee and can, on occasion be too complacent, due having a monopoly of island ferry services.

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