Issue - meetings

Argyll Ferries

Simon Richmond, Caledonian MacBrayne informed the Group that it was business as usual and they hadn’t been given any further update on future plans.

Caledonian MacBrayne Services

Simon Richmond from Caledonian MacBrayne informed the Group that work on the slip at Colintraive is now completed and work was planned to start in Rothesay on the 24^th January for 16 weeks which would result in one boat berthing at Gourock during this period.

Outcome

Councillor Blair suggested that Caledonian MacBrayne look to apply to Windfarm Trusts for a contribution to toilet facilities for Colintraive.

Western Ferries

Gordon Ross informed the Group that infrastructure works were still ongoing with an estimated completion date of Easter 2019 and that year to date for 2018 Western Ferries ran 22,000 sailings and cancelled 48 sailings.

Argyll Ferries

Yvonne Hanley from Caledonian MacBrayne provided a statistical breakdown on sailings, passengers numbers and breakdowns for the July and August period for Dunoon, Colintraive and Portavadie.

The Forum held a discussion regarding the tender process, current extension of Argyll Ferries contract, future plans and infrastructure challenges.

Outcome

1. Ross Moran agreed to circulate statistical information to the Forum.
2. It was agreed that narrative regarding variables and influences be included with the statistics.
3. The Forum requested that long term known disruptions be clearly advertised.
4. The Transport forum agreed to draft a further letter to Transport Scotland along with a formal complaint regarding the lack of response and engagement with the Forum.

Western Ferries

Captain McLundie informed the Group that figures are up on last year particularly over the period covered by Cowal Games and the water ski championships. Cowal Games from a ferry perspective ran smoothly with only one reported incident. Within the last quarter there was one weather disruption due to inclement weather that lasted for four hours.

He also informed the Group that the Linkspan at McInroy’s Point was now completed and work on the Hunter’s Quay linkspan commenced on the 27^th August with a completion date scheduled for the end of December 2018. A planning application has been submitted to the National Park to allow construction of overnight berth and crew access, and installation of fenders and bollards at Kilmun Pier. Captain McLundie said that the application included proposals aimed at protecting the pier structure