Issue - meetings

Opportunity for verbal updates by Cowal Transport Forum Members

Western Ferries

Gordon Ross highlighted that Western Ferries are concluding their dry dock programme and that the summer programme would come into effect on the 29 March. Captain McLundie advised that they are monitoring traffic continually and have now made the decision, based on customer demand, to introduce a 4 boat service on Sundays from 10am to 5pm, removing the 4 boat service on Saturdays. Captain McLundie advised that the 4 boat service on Fridays would continue as normal and that they would consider putting on extra boats when they have staff available for busy days such as weekends or bank holidays.

The Vice-Chair and Chair recorded their thanks to staff at Western Ferries for the great work they do.

Outcome

The Forum noted the update from Western Ferries.

Calmac

Victoria Shaw highlighted that Calmac are finishing their overhaul programme with the MV Chieftain hopefully being reintroduced at the end of the month and the MV Ali Cat is currently covering the run and the MV Argyll Flyer back covering the Gourock – Dunoon as a single vessel service.

The Forum highlighted their disappointment at the summer timetable and the 26 minute wait between the ferry and connecting rail service.

Kirstie Reid highlighted that she had been approached by a member of the public who was disabled and was nearly knocked over by a cyclist due to the new cycle route for Gourock. Victoria Shaw advised that she would look into appropriate signage for the area.

In the absence of Michael Breslin from South Cowal Community Council, the Committee Manager read out the below question submitted prior to the meeting:

‘I understand that CalMac plans to make changes to the Dunoon ferry time timetable. Can I ask that these changes are on the agenda for the meeting please?’

Councillor Forrest highlighted that she had heard that with the new timetable changes it would mean the 20 minutes past the hour ferry service would be meeting trains but if they were to go to a one vessel service it would be the 10 to the hour ferry that would run. Victoria Shaw advised that she would look into this for the single vessel ferry service and confirm following the meeting.

Outcome

The Forum noted the update from Calmac.

Opportunity for verbal updates by Cowal Transport Forum Members

Councillor Sinclair recorded his thanks to both Calmac and Western Ferries for providing great transportation for the Cowal Games as well as the great fireworks display from Western Ferries.

Western Ferries

Gordon Ross highlighted that since the last meeting, the service has run at 100% reliability with no service issues other than a cancellation due to the fog and that additional sailings were provided for the Cowal Games weekend.

It was noted that Gordon Ross had submitted two questions in advance of the meeting:

‘Would it be possible for the Council to provide an update on the Dunoon terminal upgrades and progress on moving the winter MCA Category C/D waters to the new linkspan?’

The Committee Manager advised that on receipt of the questions he had forwarded to the Argyll and Bute Councils Marine Operations Manager who provided the below response:

‘Preparations for the Ground Investigations (GI) are completed and are now awaiting confirmation from Scottish Government and Transport Scotland on vessel funding for the route before proceeding.

Assuming confirmation is received, the GI will proceed and we will look to finalise the OBC with a preferred option for approval by Argyll & Bute Council Harbour Board.

We have no update on any change to the categorisation of the Clyde estuary waters.’

Mr Ross advised that he was looking for more information on timings for the work and the finance association with the improvements.

Frauke Thornton, Dunoon Community Council, enquired whether Western Ferries new building at McInroy’s Point would include public toilet facilities. Frauke also asked when the display signs indicating that there may be queuing traffic at Hunters Quay, which had been mentioned at a previous meeting, would be installed. Mr Ross advised that there would not be public toilets in the building but that facilities were available on each ferry. Councillor Sinclair confirmed that the Council were undertaking a recruitment exercise and that the new officer would be charged with installing the associated signage at Hunters Quay.

The Committee Manager advised that Aileen Danby, a resident at Hunters Quay had submitted some questions in advance of the meeting in relation to the issues around queuing traffic at Hunters Quay:

1.          Given the road looking right of ferry terminal is much wider, has two pavements and does not include a road junction, and would not cause residents the same restriction of exit and entry into their property as the road is much wider, could it be utilized for queuing traffic?

2.          Signage is supplied which is clear regarding Qing and this is managed by either the Police or Western ferries staff during busy periods.

3.          Western ferries find alternative Qing areas and utilize all of their staff parking within the terminal to alleviate public road parking?

4.          I am yet to see any Police attendance on these very busy days, unlike the situation on queuing on McInroy’s point, where police attend regularly.

The Committee Manager advised that on receipt of the questions he had forwarded them to the Networks and Standards Manager who advised that officers would be hosting a partnership meeting regarding these issues and that Western Ferries, Council Officers, Elected Members, Transport Scotland, Police Scotland and Community representatives would be invited to attend.

Outcome

The Forum:

1.          noted the update by Western Ferries; and

2.          noted that the Committee Manager would submit Mr Ross’s further question to the Marine Operations Manager and provide Mr Ross with the response.

Calmac

Kirsty Reid highlighted her disappointment at the Calmac cancellation figures given at the Clyde and Kintyre Users Group with Colintraive/Rhubadoch having 447 cancelled sailings which was down by 127, Rothesay/Wemyss Bay having 197 cancelled sailings which was down by 825 and the Gourock/Dunoon which had 1,180 cancelled sailings which was up by 238.

Taylor Cairns highlighted that Calmac had been unable to collate the carrying figures due to a system change and that they had now re-aligned the morning timetable to join up with Scotrail services. Mr Cairns also advised of the disruptions due to the link span outage and the two periods of emergency dry docking in which they ran shuttle buses.

Kirstie Reid highlighted that she had been approached by a member of the public who was visually impaired and was worried about cyclists cycling in front of the ferry waiting room due to this being designated a preferred cycle route. Mr Cairns advised that signage had been installed advising cyclists to dismount and that they were in the process of reviewing this.

Outcome

The Forum noted the update from Calmac.

Calmac

Having received apologies from Don McKillop it was noted that there was no representative from Calmac present.

Councillor Sinclair raised the issue of tickets on the Dunoon-Gourock service, commenting that these have a very short time limit of one month whereas Western Ferries do not include any use by date.  He also raised further concern about the 20 minute wait for train connection from Gourock stating that this was not acceptable.

Ronald McAlister, Bute Ferry Committee, raised concerns on the considerable delays in the Calmac service due to no replacement vessel for the broken down Loch Dunvegan for 5 or 6 days, and the fact that the Isle of Cumbrae had been taken from her mooring in Sandbank to Dunoon to run for only 4 hours.  He asked why had Calmac not considering tying her up alongside the Loch Dunvegan or a nearby mooring.

Kirstie Reid, Strachur Community Council, commented on the ferry delay figures which she had received.  She advised of cancellation figures totalling 47 for Colintraive/Rhubodach; 46 for Wemyss Bay/Rothesay and 1110 lost sailings for Dunoon/Gourock.  She invited the group to ask for an explanation of why so many sailings were cancelled from Calmac.

Western Ferries

Concerns were raised by Councillor Sinclair as to the size of the queues of traffic for the ferry on the 29th December (Gourock side) and at the Dunoon Side on 2^nd January, with only 2 boats scheduled half hourly, with some travellers having to make alternative arrangements.  Captain McLundie pointed out that there was an issue with one of the vessels that had caused the issue on 29^th December, that the reduced service for 2^nd January had been well publicised and as a result it was unfair to criticise about the queueing.  A third boat would have required a crew to be willing to come out on a public holiday but that this enhancement to service was put on from 1030hrs. Captain McLundie also pointed out that it is impossible to gauge the amount and way people will travel since the pandemic, but will consider the number of users from this year when planning cover for next year’s festive period.

Captain McLundie, updated the group on problems Western Ferries had suffered in with the winter timetable.  This was a knock on from their dry dock routine where an issue was detected meaning there was a two boat service for three weeks as new parts were sought and fitted.  Unfortunately, the new parts failed on three occasions and he explained to the group the extra effort to ensure that the queues were managed to minimise disruption.  He further reported that another vessel was due to go to dry dock during the period and that the MCA were asked for an extension to keep the vessel in service and the timetable running as best as possible.  It is anticipated that the dry dock vessel will be back in service by next month.

Kerris Alexander, Kilmun Community Council, advised that although the crew do a phenomenal job, she had turned up at Gourock Terminal on Boxing Day, where there was a large queue waiting to board the ferry.  She commented that would like to see more transparency on Facebook updating the waiting times and delays to enable ferry users to make a judgement on their travel arrangements.   She also enquired about the £20 book of tickets and where those could be purchased from.  In response Captain McLundie commented that they do try to update the social media, but they prioritise updates of the website, and that a list of agents for discounted tickets was also on the website.  Captain McLundie agreed to take these points away for consideration.

Councillor Sinclair raised a point on behalf of Hunter’s Quay Community Council who were not present at the meeting.  He advised that they would like a meeting with the Council’s Roads Department and Western Ferries concerning the signage for queuing traffic.  Captain McLundie agreed to take this request away.

Outcome:

The Forum resolved:

1.    That the Chair would raise the point about ticket expiry, cover arrangements for the MV Loch Dunvegan, high volumes of cancelled sailings from Dunoon and attendance of a representative at future meetings with Calmac;

2.    Captain McLundie would look into the issues on boxing day, potential for more service updates via Facebook and the possibility of the round table with HQCC to discuss signage.