OUR AIM:
TO SAVE ARDROSSAN HARBOUR
WITH TWO USABLE BERTHS ORIENTED CORRECTLY TO ENSURE MAXIMUM RELIABILITY IN ALL BUT THE MOST CHALLENGING WEATHER CONDITIONS WHICH WILL SERVE ARRAN WELL FOR DECADES TO COME.
For readers who live off Arran and may not have been able to sign the paper petition, please see the online petition on the link below (set up by the Ardrossan group – Save Ardrossan Harbour).
https://www.change.org/p/save-ardrossan-harbour
On Arran the campaign is very active, with a committee now meeting to keep up pressure on the government to resolve the situation with Peel Ports, the current owners of Ardrossan Harbour.
In the last week the Arran for Ardrossan Harbour group are urging people to email the Transport Secretary Fiona Hyslop, as she recently announced that she is in discussions with Peel Ports about the possibility of taking Ardrossan Harbour into public ownership.
Arran for Ardrossan Harbour write, “If you agree with this policy, can you please email her again voicing your support for the ‘buy out’. This is the first time in
seven years that a Transport Secretary has broken cover and made any kind of promising statement about the future of Ardrossan Harbour. We must let them know that we are watching and waiting and expect a swift result.”
Fiona Hyslop MSP, Cabinet Secretary for Transport. Email address – CabSecfortransport@gov.scot
PLEASE INCLUDE YOUR ADDRESS AND TELEPHONE NUMBER AS YOU ARE MORE LIKELY TO GET A RESPONSE
Scottish Government exploring options on purchasing Ardrossan Port
Cabinet Secretary for Transport Fiona Hyslop said:
“Today I have updated Parliament that I have instructed Transport Scotland and CMAL to explore a potential purchase of Ardrossan Harbour. I have taken this step to ensure we make progress on finding a solution at Ardrossan that can be delivered in a cost-effective way.
“Discussions and negotiations around the delivery of improvements at the port have ongoing for some time and they have been complex. Despite our best efforts we have been unable to reach an agreeable decision on the commercial approach. In my view, this was leading to uncertainty that the communities of Arran and Ardrossan cannot afford. It now makes sense to broaden the search for a solution – which now includes the potential purchase by the Scottish Government.
“I would like to highlight that all parties have used their best endeavours to agree a way forward with the business case. The owners of Ardrossan Harbour, Peel Ports Group, have highlighted that they continue to invest in the harbour to ensure it remains operational.
“We all absolutely understand people and communities’ views in favour of retaining Ardrossan as the mainland port and remain committed to ensuring the Arran ferry service is fit for the future. Discussions around the potential change of ownership are progressing at pace and in good faith and I’m confident this will bring reassurance to everyone with an interest in the Arran Ferry service. The Scottish Government will ensure a reliable and modern service which we know is vital for local communities – and we intend to invest over £530 million in the coming year to support and enhance ferry services, including for Arran.”
To let her know your views, please email her on the address above. You can also contact your own MSPs regarding this matter. There are many really significant reasons for keeping the port at Ardrossan operational, particularly in relation to Arran residents being able to access appointments and health care on the mainland, as well as health care workers being able to travel here reliably.
Featured image credit www.uav360.co.uk