CALEDONIAN ISLES

Ardrossan-Troon ferry battle intensifies

PortA fierce battle is developing between the neighbouring west Scotland mainland ports of Ardrossan and Troon over the future of the Caledonian MacBrayne ferry service to the Isle of Arran. As Shippax reported last month Troon operator Associated British Ports (ABP) says it would invest MGBP6 in a new terminal building if Transport Scotland approved a move for the two ship service.

Now there are calls to keep the CalMac operation at Ardrossan Harbour with Scottish Parliament member Kenneth Gibson lodging a motion warning that jobs could be lost, ticket prices would increase and the local economy would suffer through a relocation to Troon which, although closer to Glasgow, lacks a harbour rail station.

Introduction of the 'road equivalent tariff' with ferry fares matching that of road travel for the same distance has boosted particularly summer traffic to the Isle of Arran and in summer 2018 the route will receive one of two new hi-tech vessels under construction by Ferguson Marine on the River Clyde.

Nov 04 2016