PE1035/D Councillor Dick Walsh Leader Kilmory Lochgilphead PA31 8RT Tel: 01546 604328 Fax 01546 604349 Email: [email protected] Fergus Cochrane Clerk to the Public Petitions Committee TG.01 Our Ref: DW/KMM/0406Let Parliamentary Headquarters Edinburgh EH99 !SP Your Ref: Date: 22 October 2007 Dear Mr Cochrane, CONSIDERATION OF PETITION PE1035 – COMMENTS FROM ARGYLL AND BUTE COUNCIL Argyll and Bute Council has considered the details in petition PE1035 and would make the following comments. These should be read in conjunction with the Appendix attached to PE1035. Mr Rose comments Argyll and Bute Council response 1. Road Access “Dunoon is connected by road of good The only road access to Dunoon from west standard to Glasgow and the central belt central Scotland is a circuitous route via the over a distance of approximately 82 miles.” A83, A82 and A815, which is not classified a trunk road.- periods in the winter when road closed due to weather 2. Ferry Services “No taxpayers’ money has been used to A grant of almost £400,000 was made subsidise it…” available from HIE (Argyll) to upgrade terminals at Hunters’ Quay. “…and although alleged to able to fit Western Given the continuing lack of a clear outcome Ferries’ vessels…” to the Dunoon - Gourock route, one of the requirements of the brief was that the linkspan be able to suit Western Ferries vessels as well as Caledonian MacBrayne vessels. On completion of the work, trials were carried out on Western Ferries and Caledonian MacBrayne vessels, and following minor modifications, a satisfactory coupling was achieved. 3. Monopoly “Misuse of their monopoly position is a tactic It is noted that no details are provided to Mr Rose comments Argyll and Bute Council response regularly used by Calmac when any new confirm this allegation. Furthermore, as far as competitor starts.” the Gourock – Dunoon route is concerned Caledonian MacBrayne are not in a monopoly situation and are restricted to their current timetable by a ruling made by a previous Secretary of State for Scotland (George Younger). They are unable to enhance their service as far as the number of sailings is concerned. 4. Subsidy No specific comments. 5. Petition No specific comments. 6. Financial Savings No specific comments. 7. Tendering for the Dunoon to Gourock Route “This latter could be construed as a ploy by Tenders were invited by the Executive on the the Executive to argue that the status quo basis that there was a strongly held should remain. In this way they would not community belief that the route could be have to justify the capital sum spent on operated as a commercial service. In the Dunoon Pier that is no longer required. The event, however, there were no bids terms of the tender and the facilities offered forthcoming from operators. may have been such that it would not be possible to compete with either the road route or the other service.” “This tendering for ferry routes has so far Caledonian MacBrayne has been involved in been an expensive failure with a result that a rigorous tendering exercise and has Calmac has been given them by default.” produced a compliant tender which has been accepted by the Executive. It should also be borne in mind that Caledonian MacBrayne were not responsible for either the decision to tender the routes or for the process involved. General comments There is little within the statement from Mr Rose which takes account of the vital role the town centre ferry operation plays in terms of the economic well-being of Dunoon. The vehicular service is used by a range of businesses and individuals for purposes such as livestock transport, bakery produce deliveries, coach tours and other tourism purposes, and of course by commuters, airport-bound travellers and pool car passengers. Instead, there is a negativity concerning the new pier arrangements which is in contrast to the reality of the situation. The transport facilities are excellent, and will allow the terminal to operate as a transport interchange, the bus infrastructure integrating well with the ferry infrastructure. A new linkspan has been constructed, protected from the prevailing southerly weather by a heavily built breakwater, which will permit berthing operations in all but the worst of weather. There is a substantial mustering area which is intended to cope with peak vehicular traffic loading, and suitable traffic management arrangements to access the terminal. There is also sufficient car parking to allow those passengers travelling from the satellite settlements in South Cowal without the option of public transport, to park close to the terminal and continue their journey by ferry and train – in short, a Park and Ride facility. By the same token, there is very little mention in Mr. Rose’s petition on the major issue of improving accessibility, one of the principal objectives of local, regional and national transport strategies. In the continuing drive to becoming a more inclusive society, the barriers to travel must continue to be dismantled. There is a need to create an improved transport experience for everyone which includes all components of the journey from the information available, the waiting conditions, the vehicle conditions, to the integration of services across modes. At the other end of the route, at Gourock, plans are at an advanced stage to enhance the terminal facilities for train and ferry passengers which will lead to the development of seamless journeys between Glasgow and the Cowal peninsula. In addition to serving the Gourock-Dunoon route, this interchange also serves the Kilcreggan/ Helensburgh/ Gourock ferry service, adding yet another connecting opportunity. These important public transport issues seem to have been overlooked by the petition which appears to presume that the only access to Dunoon is by car. Yours sincerely Dick Walsh Leader, Argyll and Bute Council .