Ferry service likely to move to Troon during Ardrossan pier works
There is a real likelihood that the Arran ferry service will move to Troon for the duration of the Ardrossan Harbour improvement works.
There is a real likelihood that the Arran ferry service will move to Troon for the duration of the Ardrossan Harbour improvement works.
Passengers travelling on the ferry network across Scotland’s west coast this Christmas are being urged to plan ahead.
At last week’s meeting of the Isle of Arran Ferry Committee (AFC) it was acknowledged that the reliability of the 7am ferry from Ardrossan has been severely impacted of late with the vessel berthing in Brodick. This has meant that goods and services are not arriving on Arran until the 10.40am boat instead of 8am, leading to disruption and inconvenience.
Ferry chiefs have warned that further delays to two new vessels being built is contributing to ‘major disruption’ for islanders.
And it came loud and clear from the gathering that the first priority for the lifeline service was reliability.
The MV Isle of Arran, a more regular visitor to Arran, was launched in 1984 at Ferguson Ailsa, as the Clyde yard was called then, and served 10 years on the Ardrossan to Brodick route, then a stint to Islay before taking up her current duties.
Mr Wheelhouse said he had come to Arran to listen to the concerns of the Arran Ferry Committee, with whom he had a two hour meeting, and to update them on the plans for a more robust and resilient ferry service following a summer of persistent problems on the Arran and Islay routes.