Issue - meetings

The Forum considered an update from Ruairidh Campbell, CMAL, on the Gourock/Dunoon/Kilcreggan ferry services. He advised that since the last meeting a consultation exercise for the Dunoon Concept vessel had been undertaken. Mr Campbell confirmed that the feedback had been taken into account and that the information on the website had been updated.  There had been no announcement on the preferred vessels as yet. He advised that Transport Scotland were currently reviewing the outline business case for the two vessels for the Gourock/Dunoon ferry service. Transport Scotland had confirmed that due to the volume of work there would be an anticipated delay of approximately two months but design work was continuing and would be completed as far as possible.  Councillor Reid asked if it was likely that this delay would affect the delivery of the vessel and he was advised that it was unlikely.

Alistair McLundie referred to the 250 passenger capacity of the vessel and asked why this was the case as between June 2011 and March 2020, 99% of sailings had less than 100 passengers.  He was advised that the capacity of the vessel was due to the size of the vessel required for the wave height and weather conditions it was likely to encounter, not passenger demand.  Councillor Reid asked why a vessel of that size could not be used for vehicles, as this would reduce costs as a consequence of the income generated.  Mr Campbell advised that the fact that the vessel was passenger only had been set down in guidance from Transport Scotland and that he would take Councillor Reid’s comments back to them.

Outcome

The Forum –

1.    Noted the update.

2.      Noted that Mr Campbell would make contact with Transport Scotland regarding the suggestion from Councillor Reid about vehicles on the ferry as a source of income.

The Forum considered an update from Ruairidh Campbell, CMAL, on the Gourock/Dunoon/Kilcreggan infrastructure and concept vessels. The Forum noted that a public consultation exercise on the Dunoon Concept vessel was due to commence in late November and would run through December 2021. The Group further noted that a revised project Q&A document will be made available on their website to reflect feedback received during the Gourock Masterplan Public Consultation.

Outcome

The Forum noted the update.

The Forum noted the update below from Ruairidh Campbell, Harbour and Engineering Liaison Manager, Caledonian Maritime Assets Ltd (CMAL) on the Dunoon Concept Vessel and Gourock Masterplan noting both of which would be subject of upcoming public consultations.

Dunoon Concept Vessel

The project team are currently carrying out additional scoping works associated with vessel hull form options to validate the outline vessel characteristics discussed with the Reference Group 28th May.  Once this additional work is complete, the Working Group will progress with a two vessel hull form option and then make recommendations on a preferred platform. This work to be presented along with the supporting data to the Reference group in late September/October. This Reference Group session will also feature a Q&A session as before. Thereafter, Public Consultation will be scheduled for late Autumn this year.

Gourock Masterplan

The project team have updated and selected a preferred option in-line with Reference Group feedback received on 28th May. The team are currently finalising their presentation and aim to go out for Public Consultation end of August.

Kilcreggan Concept Vessel

This became part of this programme of works a year after the Gourock-Dunoon project was initiated. Policy and scoping works are on-going. The Kilcreggan concept vessel design will follow on after the Dunoon Concept Vessel design has been completed.

Kilcreggan Infrastructure

Outline options have been worked up for Kilcreggan and presented to the Working Group. This has allowed for interoperability and vessel and infrastructure operational aspects to be considered. Further development will be taken forward once the Gourock Public Consultation has been completed and the Kilcreggan concept vessel progressed.

Outcome

The Forum noted the position.

The Forum considered the update from Caledonian Maritime Assets Ltd (CalMac).

Discussion focused on what work has been done by the tripartite regarding the  modelling of predicted service levels and the Forum noted that CalMac, as the operator, provided data from last 10 years to Transport Scotland and that the demand for the routes  was to be discussed at Reference Group meeting on 28 May 2021.

Outcome

The Forum noted the update and agreed to continue the item.

The Reference Group circulated an update to Forum along with a copy of the Outline Business Case as attached to the minute.

As there was no one present from the Ferries Division of Transport Scotland to speak to the issues so the Forum agreed to continue the item.

Outcome

The Forum noted the position and agreed to continue the item.

As there was no one present from the Ferries Division of Transport Scotland to speak to the issues so the Forum agreed to continue the item.

Outcome

The Forum noted the position and agreed to continue the item.

The Forum were invited to note an update from Paul Wheelhouse MSP, Minister for Energy, Connectivity and the Islands, in response to the Chair’s email of 4 May 2020 regarding free ferry travel for young people living on the Cowal Peninsula as part of the proposed free bus travel scheme in Scotland for those aged under nineteen.

Discussion focused on the timetable of 5 years being too long a length of time to wait for a passenger ferry to be available given that the procurement process had already started and especially as businesses were already struggling as a result of covid-19.

As there was no one present from the Ferries Division of Transport Scotland to speak to the issues it was felt no progress could be made on the item in the absence of the decision makers.

Outcome

The Forum noted the position and agreed to continue the item.

The Forum were invited to consider an update from the Ferries Policy Officer on behalf of Paul Wheelhouse MSP, Minister for Energy, Connectivity and the Islands, in response to the Chair’s letter of 29 September 2019 regarding the Gourock to Dunoon ferry service.

Discussion focussed on the free travel pass for under 19 year olds not being applicable to ferries and the serviceable life of the linkspan. 

Councillor Bobby Good updated the Forum on the decision of the Bute and Cowal Area Committee to write to Mike Russell and Paul Whitehouse (LINK) in relation to the Dunoon to Gourock ferry service.

Outcome

The Forum:

1.    noted the update provided by the Ferries Policy Officer;

2.    agreed to write to the Minister requesting clarification if the free bus scheme for under 19 year olds can be extended to all ferry services;

3.    noted the infrastructure at Gourock had a lifespan of 40 years, was now 49 years old and that there was no planned replacement at this time; and

4.    agreed to circulate the letters sent on behalf of the Bute and Cowal Area Committee to the Forum.

(Reference:  Letter from Ferries Policy Officer dated 28 October 2019, submitted)