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Chamber and committees

Question reference: S5W-30313

  • Asked by: Donald Cameron, MSP for Highlands and Islands, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
  • Date lodged: 29 June 2020
  • Current status: Answered by Paul Wheelhouse on 27 July 2020

Question

To ask the Scottish Government what reasons CalMac has provided to it for suspending its Ardrossan to Campbeltown ferry service until Summer 2021.


Answer

Following engagement with local stakeholders, the difficult decision was taken to suspend the Ardrossan to Campbeltown ferry service until Summer 2021.

This was due to the need to deal with the significantly reduced connectivity to Arran, that shares this vessel with the Campbeltown service. Arran was facing high demand and severe capacity constraints exacerbated by physical distancing requirements, and this allows more sailings to be provided.

There were also other factors considered:

  • there are alternative routes to Campbeltown including by road (including a bus service), alternative ferries across Arran or the Cowal and Dunoon peninsula, or by plane.
  • passenger numbers on the service are relatively low.

We would stress that this is a temporary measure in unprecedented circumstances, in order to make most effective use of the vessels available for deployment. The Ardrossan – Campbeltown service will return in Summer 2021.