Agenda and minutes

Apologies were received from Sean Clemie, Transport Scotland, David Sumsion and Susan McFadyen.

The Minutes of the previous meeting of 18^th October 2013 were approved as a correct record.

There were no matters arising.

Verbal update from Public Transport Officer

Douglas Blades, the Council’s Transport Officer advised the Forum that the A83 turning circle land has now been purchased and the Tender for the works has been issued and Won.  The tender is currently in its 10 day standstill period and after that completes it is hoped that work will quickly commence, weather permitting

The Forum had a discussion on available additional parking at the site and who was likely to use the Forestry Commission car park. .Douglas Blades agreed to contact David Robertson from Forestry Commission Scotland to confirm that the existing car park will still be able to be used in the future.

Douglas Blades agreed to email round a copy of the plan for the A83 turning circle to all members of the Forum.

Iain MacInnes from Lochgoil Community Council advised the Forum that if the A83 is closed, the signage is confusing for people that are not from  the area, and the signage does not currently carry any indication that it is possible to  can travel to Dunoon and get the ferry from there

He asked the Forum if there is anything we can do in regard to the signage as the new signage at Inveraray has made a big difference.  It was also suggested that the forum should continue to lobby for signs at Tarbet, and just after the stoneymollen roundabout to warn traffic in advance of road closures.

Gordon Ross from Western Ferries advised that there had recently been an email cascaded round from Transport Scotland which had carried no mention of the ferries being available in the event of road closures.  He informed the Forum that he is due to have a meeting in the next couple of weeks with Jim Smith, the Council’s Head of Roads and Amenity Services and Keith Brown from Transport Scotland to discuss these issues.  He advised that Strachur and Lochgoilhead also need signage as it is not clear.

Iain MacInnes asked if there was any progress with Transport Scotland closing the A83 for half a day to monitor the traffic flow.  The Chair advised there had been no progress yet.  

Paul Farrell advised that there are traffic monitoring programmes used on the roads so there would be no need to close the road for half a day.  Paul agreed to take this matter forward and discuss with BEAR Scotland.

The Area Governance Officer agreed to liaise with the chair to arrange a meeting between the Chair, Transport Scotland and Iain MacInnes to discuss the traffic flow and bring an update back to the next meeting.

David Taylor from Argyll Ferries reported to the Forum on the ongoing issues they are having with cars parking on the bus spaces at the ferry terminal.

The Area Governance Officer agreed to write to the Harbour Master requesting that this issue be addressed.

Paul Farrell advised that as of 12^th May 2014, new Parking Enforcement Officers would be in place and would be able to issue fixed penalty notices for illegal parking so this may reduce the problem.

Verbal update by Public Transport Officer

Douglas Blades updated the Forum on a meeting he due to have with the Head Teacher of Dunoon Grammar School in regard to the school wanting to change the bus times.

Douglas has concerns over this change and so do members of the community.

Concerned Members of the Forum agreed to write to the Head Teacher in their capacity as community councillors, or concerned parents expressing their concerns.

David Taylor from Argyll Ferries advised they are currently reviewing all ticket groups and are bringing in more options as this will encourage tourism in the area.

He suggested it would give people ideas of where to travel and offering “day out” programmes highlighting the West Coast of Scotland would  make people more aware of the facilities which are close to Glasgow.

He advised they are now working along with Visit Scotland to promote this initiative and CalMac tickets can now be purchased in any Visit Scotland shop as well as online.

Verbal update by Area Governance Officer

The Area Governance Officer advised that since the last meeting, the Governance and Risk Manager contacted the Licensing Department in regard to Taxi Drivers standing out on the road at John Street, causing a hazard for other drivers in cars and buses.

Callum Rae from West Coast Motors informed the Forum that this was still an ongoing problem for bus drivers when passing through John Street.

Paul Farrell agreed to email the taxi association to raise this matter again.

Verbal update by Public Transport Officer

Douglas Blades advised that the new time table for linking services between Dunoon and Ardentinny will commence in April of this year.

He advised that West Coast Motors won the tender contract.

Archie Reid from Strachur Community Council advised there had recently been 2 complaints made due to a customer giving verbal abuse to a bus driver.  Douglas advised that this is being looked into. And that a driver is fully entitled to refuse a passenger entry if they are abusive, and is similarly entitled to require them to leave the bus for this type of behaviour.

Verbal update by Area Governance Officer

The Area Governance Officer outlined the Argyll Kayak Trail project which has been done in consultation with local Kayak clubs stramash and other partners.  He described it as similar in concept to the Kintyre Way but on water.   The trail goes from Helensburgh, round Bute, up through the Crinan Canal and Tarbert.

He advised that this has been funded through the LEADER Programme and that a map has been produced for this trail which sets out 9 points where there are stop over places with BBQ points.

The was project is being highlighted as a tourist initiative, but also to ensure that the ferry operators are aware of it and are supportive in terms of allowing Kayaks to where possible to be treated in the same way as Bikes and  where appropriate, can be carried without additional cost.   

He advised that the official launch date for the trail will be in May 2014.

Douglas Blades raised an issue about the bus shelters in Dunoon being damaged.  He asked members of the Forum to please let him know if anyone was aware of damaged bus shelters in Argyll and Bute and to let him know as soon as possible as he is only aware when it is brought to his attention, and therefore he can solve the problem.

Iain MacInnes raised an issue about the Lochgoilhead bus run on a Monday morning at 7am, he informed the Forum that quite often the gritting lorry is behind the bus and not in front.  Paul Farrell agreed to look into this matter and report back to the group.

The dates of the next Cowal Transport Forums for the rest of the year will be held on:-

Friday 6^th June at 10am in Castle House, Dunoon

Friday 5^th September at 10am in Castle House, Dunoon

Friday 5^th December at 10am in Castle House, Dunoon