New Gourock and Dunoon ferry may not be able to take cars

This week the Scottish Government finally issued its long-awaited tender documentation for a new ferry link between the main town centres of Gourock and Dunoon. It now remains for the government to choose the company that will run the service. Councillor Dick Walsh, Argyll and Bute council leader, regards the new connection for the two towns as a vital one, but hopes it will be able to carry vehicles as well as passengers. This may be in doubt, as the European Commission ruled in December 2009 that public subsidy can only be provided for the passenger element of the service.

Despite regular requests to be kept informed of developments, the two councils were not told about the plan to tender the route last Friday (18 February). Councillor Dick Walsh said: ‘I am extremely disappointed that despite our regular requests to be kept informed of any developments, the two councils only found out indirectly about the issuing of a tender for this route. Both communities wish to have a vehicle and passenger ferry service between Gourock and Dunoon town centres, which links with other existing public transport services. We have diligently championed these aims.’ He added, ‘I sincerely hope that all options have been examined in exhaustive detail by the Scottish Government and that the winning bidder will realise the wishes of both communities.’