Western Ferries
:
Minutes:
Gordon Ross, Western Ferries, provided an update
advising that the customer parking area to the west side of the terminal, which
had been closed due to covid restrictions, had now been reopened. He advised that they were currently running
the winter timetable and that the summer timetable would run from April. He advised that in terms of the replacement
bus service, passengers would be issued with Western Ferries tickets. Mr Ross reported that the removal of the road
parking from the north side of the terminal would go ahead and they were
currently waiting on the Council providing line painters. In relation to the Rankin Brae signage he
told the forum that queuing traffic was more likely when there was a closure on
the Rest and Be Thankful.
Graham Revill asked if it
was possible for the crew on Western Ferries to request that drivers turn off
their engines during the crossing. Mr
Ross advised that there is a safety announcement on the ferries that requests
that drivers turn off their engine but during adverse weather conditions many
drivers keep their engines running for their own comfort. He advised that as it was an open vessel
there shouldn’t be a build-up of fumes but if there was an issue with excessive
fumes then crew could ask for engines to be turned off.
Outcome
The Forum noted the update.
:
Western Ferries
:
Minutes:
Alistair McLundie, Western Ferries, confirmed that
the service was operating as normal with one vessel off for annual dry-docking,
the four vessel service would return on 19 November 2021. Mr McLundie advised
that Western Ferries are prepared to back up the service with a shuttle service
to respond to anticipated increases in demand due to a dancing competition in
Hunters Quay on the same day and that aggression towards staff regarding the
operation of the reimbursement scheme when the replacement bus service is in
use has now been resolved with help from Calmac.
Discussion focused on a point raised at August’s
meeting regarding the replacement bus service not stopping at undesignated
stops. It was noted that the replacement bus was not operating as a traditional
bus service and it was not contracted to stop at undesignated stops. Partners
also discussed how waiting times at terminals are impacted on by a range of
unpredictable factors and how it was hoped that toilets would be built behind
the terminal building, noting that there was no timescales available for this
at present.
The Chair updated the Forum on the situation with
traffic on Marine Parade advising that Roads are considering removing some
parking spaces and installing double yellow lines to widen the carriageway to
allow the centre line to be moved to enable a wider bend in the road at the
foot of Ardtully Brae. This exercise would also allow
the bus stop pole to be aligned with the bus bay. The Chair added that the
Rankin’s Brae sign was yet to be agreed but it was likely to advise that
queuing traffic could be expected on the A815 Shore Road and that the
alternative route to Dunoon is via the A885 High Road.
Outcome
The Forum noted the updates.
:
Western Ferries
:
Minutes:
Alistair McLundie, Western Ferries, confirmed to
the Forum that carrying figures were in line with 2019 figures, with 15
callouts for out of hour sailings to assist ambulance callouts at night in last
few months plus an early morning request from the fire service this morning to
aid transporting additional appliances to deal with the Argyll Street
fire. He advised that clarity was still
required from SPT around concessionary fare increases before deciding how they
will implement it; they had offered to pay for the fireworks display once
approved by the council; they are having to crack down on misuse of disabled
parking spaces at the terminal; and requested that when the replacement bus
service is in use that Calmac communicate with their customers how the
reimbursement scheme works.
Discussion focused on the impact on customers of an
office closure due to essential staff training; that plans for self-cleaning
toilets to be installed at Hunters Quay which had been postponed due to
covid-19; and how there were difficulties with replacement bus services
dropping people off at undesignated stoops between ferry terminals.
Discussion followed on options available to safely
control and reduce traffic queuing along Marine Parade waiting to access the
ferry, including the options of how to notify road users of queuing traffic
through the use of VMS.
Outcome
The Forum;
1.
noted the update;
2.
noted that Stewart Wohlgemuth
would look to refine communication to Calmac customers when they need to use
Western Ferries; and
3. agreed that the Chair would contact the Roads Department to see what options are available to ease the safety of queuing traffic along Marine Parade, potentially by use of VMS signage that could be managed remotely.
:
Western Ferries
:
Minutes:
Gordon Ross - Managing Director, Western Ferries,
confirmed that the Summer Service timetable was introduced on 26 April 2021 in
line with Scottish Government guidance; new offices were open with normal opening
times; and outside works had been completed which included mobility parking.
Outcome
The Forum noted the update.
:
Western Ferries
:
Minutes:
Gordon Ross - Managing Director, Western Ferries
confirmed that they are operating a reduced hourly service but half hourly at peak
times; traffic numbers are reduced as people are adhering to restrictions and
as soon as restrictions are eased they will ramp up service to the normal
level. Hunters Quay improvement works are scheduled to be completed in the next
couple of weeks with full passenger parking available by the end of February,
once travel restrictions are lifted it is the intention to complete the
improvement works to Kilmun.
Discussion focused on the appropriateness of ferry
staff questioning traveller intention and that staff are not empowered to make
judgments as this power lies with the Police.
Outcome
The Forum noted the update.
:
Western Ferries
:
Minutes:
Gordon Ross updated the Forum that periods of inclement
weather had resulted in a small number of sailings being cancelled and a small
issue with a vessel had been quickly resolved. The Forum noted that they had
now moved into new offices and the
temporary ticket kiosk had been removed with some works still to be done to the
staff parking area. A new bike rack would be installed but disability spaces
were now reopen.
Discussion focused how it was hard to predict
capacity issues due to closures at the Rest and Be Thankful as this is
countered by November being a quiet time of year plus the re-introduction of
travel restrictions effecting traffic levels.
Outcome
The Forum noted the update.
:
:
Minutes:
The Forum were invited to note an update from
Kirsty Flanagan, Head of Strategic Finance, in response to the Chair’s email of
the 4 May 2020 regarding Funding of the Strathclyde Concessionary Travel
Scheme.
Discussion focused on Western Ferries remaining in
operation for key workers during covid-19, which was a testament to all staff,
with a continued service after lockdown as lifted restrictions which enabled
them to increase the level of service and whilst the Rest and be Thankful is
closed saw up to 136 sailings per day. They apologised for slight delays at the
terminal.
The Chair, on behalf of the Forum thanked Western
Ferries for maintaining a service for essential travel during lockdown then
having to go to the other extreme with road closures requiring additional
sailings.
Questions were asked if Calmac had provided any
additional services and Iain Slorach, Client Manager, Calmac agreed to
circulate the protocol from Transport Scotland to the Forum.
In relation to congestion issues at Hunters Quay,
the Assistant Network Standards Manager stated that they were in the process of
arranging temporary signage to be installed, with a review to be conducted
thereafter. Police Scotland confirmed that they would operate on case by case
basis but did not intend to martial cars.
In addition the Forum noted that there had been complaints raised about
congestion having effects on local bus services.
Outcome
The Forum noted the update.
:
:
Minutes:
Gordon Ross, Western Ferries, spoke of his
appreciation and gratitude to staff for keeping the service going and keeping
Dunoon connected during the shocking weather in January and February.
He spoke about how the funding has been cut for the
concessionary card system which is administered by the Strathclyde
Concessionary Travel Joint Committee but the fund needed to be refinanced as
Western Ferries are still not charging the full amount and are currently
absorbing some of the costs for card holders. The Forum discussed why there was
no reference to this in the council’s budget pack; the need to ensure Cowal is
being treated fairly; and how neighbouring councils are dealing with this.
In relation to coronavirus the Forum heard how
Western Ferries are attending the Scottish Public Health and NHS meetings twice
weekly in Glasgow and they are following self-sanitising processes for business
as usual. The contingency plan provides for the company operating the service
with a 20% staff absence rate; potential to undertake overnight and daily cleaning
of vessels; and continued assistance in transporting emergency services to
Gourock.
The Forum further noted that there had been no
complaints about disabled parking since their last meeting and it is hoped that
the parking bays will be reinstated by mid-summer.
In Michael Breslin’s
absence the Chair tabled an update from him as attached to this minute.
Outcome
The Forum;
1.
noted the update;
1.
agreed that they would write to Transport Scotland
about the funding to Strathclyde Concessionary Joint Committee concessionary ferry
card holders in light of the 50p increase; and
2.
agreed to make enquiries about the budget process
for Argyll and Bute Council in respect of their contribution to concessionary ferry
card funding.
The representatives from Calmac and Western Ferries
left the meeting at this point.
:
Western Ferries
:
Minutes:
Captain McLundie, Western
Ferries, spoke regarding the opening of the new linkspan
at Hunter’s Quay, now in full use; the drop in passenger numbers for the Cowal
Games, potentially related to the bad weather in the morning; the full utilisation
of the car park; plans for the new offices, due for completion in March/April
2020; and upcoming winter timetable.
Archie Reid, Strachur
Community Council, made reference to the lack of disabled parking. Captain McLundie
advised that the parking was currently being occupied by contractors
undertaking works but that he would take away this concern and see what could
be arranged to address these.
Outcome
The Forum noted the update and agreed that Captain McLundie would look at the options available for disabled
parking.
:
Western Ferries
:
Minutes:
Gordon Ross reported that of 15,000 sailing between
October 2018 to March 2019 only 31 had been cancelled, which was a far better
ratio that other service providers. Mr Ross anticipated that the linkspan would be installed during July 2019 and fully
operational soon thereafter. At the conclusion of the linkspan
development attention would then be given to building a new office block.
Mr Ross voiced his frustration at the lack of
investment being made to shore-side infrastructure within and around Dunoon Pier.
The Chair responded that it would not be prudent
for the Council to invest in improved berthing facilities for the present
vessels at the moment as there were no guarantees of the future structure of
ferry services and that a working group had been established to map the best
course of action. Councillor Reid also highlighted that pressure should be
brought on the Scottish Government via MSPs to encourage investment.
Outcome
The Forum noted the update.
:
Western Ferries
:
Minutes:
Gordon Ross informed the Group that works are still
ongoing at Hunter’s Quay but are progressing well and there were no issues to
highlight. Western Ferries summer timetable will start on the 25th
March 2019 and that it was business as usual with no concerns to raise.
Outcome
It was noted that an extension of the existing
timetable could be looked at if there was a viable need but consideration would
need to be given to the residential housing at both Hunters Quay and McInroy’s Point.
: