Agenda and minutes

Apologies for absence were intimated on behalf of the following:-

Shirley MacLeod, Area Governance Manager

Nigel Brooks, LL & TNP

Donald Smith, Transport Scotland

Daniel Sumsion, Cairndow Community Council

Leslie Cuthbertson, Lochgoil Community Trust

Elizabeth MacBride, Kilfinan Community Council

The minutes of the meeting of 23^rd February2011 were approved as a correct record.

Archie Reid circulated a copy of the Forestry Commissions draft consultation for Forests for People which states that the Forestry Commission want to develop a plan to develop and enhance the iconic car park at the Rest & Be Thankful.

Rowan Seddon advised that she had spoken to the National Park and the Forestry Commission who said they had no plans to develop this area but she would ask them about the information provided.

The Forum identified bus stops at Sandhaven, Glen Massan and the Cot House that required a hard standing and Rowan said she would look into this.

Fulton McInnes asked if the glass or Perspex could be put into the bus shelter at Fountain Quay and advised that Scottish Water have put their kiosk beside the shelter so people now can’t see if the bus is coming.

Ann Gabriel and Ian McNaughton advised that the bus stop at Sandbank school was potentially dangerous due to a hedge needing cut.  It was agreed Rowan would report this.

Councillor McNaughton updated the Forum on the changes to the bus service in the area.  Councillor McNaughton explained that the Milton, Upper Kirn route will be cut back to what it was prior to the enhancement and it will no longer service Hunter’s Quay Holiday Village.  Councillor McNaughton said that it is hoped a paper will come to the Area Committee with alternative proposals.

Mr Baker asked about the Kilmun route and was advised that the Sunday service has to be reduced from 5 to 4 and only extending to Ardentinny instead of Glenfinart.

The Forum asked if the new timetable was available and it was agreed once it was it would be emailed to the group.

Councillor McNaughton said the outcome of the Ferry Service was disappointing.  The Forum discussed the situation and Anne Gabriel advised that the problem was separating the subsidy between cars and passengers and further advised that Cal Mac were no longer carrying freight.

Gordon Ross spoke on the situation advising that Western Ferries currently have the capacity to carry any traffic that switches from Cal Mac and have an extensive timetable, they can also put on additional sailings where needed through a shuttling service to ease congestion at busy times.   Gordon Ross said he had only found out about the freight and asked Anne to contact Eric Brown who would discuss this situation and possibly provide this service if they could.

The Forum discussed Cowal Games and how this would affect the traffic at Western Ferries and Gordon Ross said he had been speaking to Chief Inspector Mosley regarding this, as traffic on the highway was Strathclyde Police’s responsibility.  The system deployed over the previous years had worked very well and would continue to be the best way to manage the traffic flow.

Iain McNaughton asked Gordon Ross about Western Ferries having a monopoly and asked if prices would increase and Gordon Ross explained that Western Ferries have previously matched fare increases in line with inflation and last year they didn’t even do that.  He said that they did not intend on changing this policy and pointed out that Western Ferries still don’t charge passengers with a travel card.

On being asked if Western Ferries would provide a car service to the new linkspan in Dunoon Gordon Ross advised he has not been approached by the Council but would be happy to speak to them.

The Forum noted the information provided and agreed Argyll Ferries would be invited to the next meeting.

Iain MacNaughton spoke on McGills bus leaving too early for people to come of the ferry and Rowan explained that they have to leave at their scheduled time.  The Forum agreed Rowan would contact McGills to find out if the timetable will run with the new ferry service and to ask them to adjust the timetable by a couple of minutes to give people enough time to catch the bus to Inverclyde Hospital.

Mr Reid asked if the late bus would still be running at Cowal Games this year and it was agreed that it would and a timetable would be circulated to the Forum.

Gordon Ross asked that the signage opposite Western Ferries’ entrance be looked at because the current layout was confused. Gordon Ross further asked if the graffiti on the road at the swing park in Sandbank could be removed and asked if the Forestry Commission could provide an updated map of the forest tracks in the area, it was agreed Rowan would contact the Forestry Commission for the map and the Marketing Group to ask them to promote these paths in the area.

The Forum agreed the next meeting would be scheduled in September, date and venue still to be arranged.