Agenda and minutes

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

David Cannon, Argyll Ferries

Douglas Blades, Public Transport Officer

Ken Barr, Dunoon Community Council

Elizabeth Bain, Lochgoil Community Council

The Minutes of the Meeting of 29^th June were approved as a correct recorded with substitution of “A82” with “A83” on the fourth paragraph of point c page 2 and with the substitution of “Alex” with “Alec” on the fifth paragraph of point c on page 2.

The Community Transport Officer advised that no further work has been done on the extension of the Toward Bus Service.  Archie Reid expressed his concerns over the use of the small coaches on the bus run after School because they do not hold enough passengers and asked that the large coaches are used. The Group agreed the Community Transport Office would look into this.

Mr MacInnes expressed his concern that people getting off at the bus stop in Ardgarten are having to walk up the main road and it was agreed that Area Governance Officer would write to the Forestry Commission asking for signage to be erected at this bus stop advising of the footpath.

The Area Governance Officer advised he had received a positive response from McGills Buses who had agreed to put timetables into Inverclyde Hospital and the waiting rooms at each side of the Clyde it appears that the hospital timetables must hve run out and the  ones for the ferry waiting rooms  did not arrive .  The Group agreed the Area Governance Officer would contact McGills again to investigate this issue and report back to the next meeting.

The Community Transport Officer advised that there is no firm progress to report on the land purchase although the Estates Department continue to negotiate with Bidwells in Perth who are the agents for the owners, Mr & Mrs Howe, Ardno Estate.

The Council have established an estimate of likely costs including all professional and legal fees and this will be set aside from this year’s grant funding received from Strathclyde Partnership for Transport (SPT).

In a further development we have checked with Transport Scotland that the work they are undertaking on the old road as an emergency diversion route will not interfere with the turning circle and they have confirmed there is no conflict.

The Group discussed signage when the Rest and Be Thankful is closed and it was agreed the Area Governance Officer would write to the Executive Director of Customer Services to enquire about the possibility of  two variable street signs being  erected, one at Strachur Bay and the other at the junction of the B839 (Hells Glen) and the B828 (Glenmore Road) in Lochgoilhead so that people are advised it is closed before they reach the road end.  Mr Ross advised that Western Ferries have asked to join the A83 task force.

The Group discussed the Argyll Ferries performance figures advising that they have been providing a bus service from Argyll Ferries to Western Ferries when the ferries are off due to bad weather.  Gordon Ross explained that the Ferries were off due to the direction of the wind.  The Group discussed ticket recognition from Argyll Ferries to Western Ferries when the service was disrupted and it was agreed the Area Governance Officer would write to both companies to see if this could be taken forward.  It was further agreed to approach the Area Committee to ask the Council to also write to them.

Gordon Ross updated the meeting on ticket prices. 

The Area Governance Officer spoke on the linkage between the Transport Forum and the Community Planning Group and it was agreed dates would be circulated so that the Transport Forum would meet before the Community Planning Group meetings to enable the link.