Agenda and minutes

Apologies were received from Max Barr of Dunoon Community Council, Gordon Ross of Western Ferries and Archie Reid of Strachur Community Council.

Cowal Transport Forum – 28^th February 2014

The Minutes of the previous meeting of 28^th February 2014 were approved as a correct record subject to the change on page 1, item 4 – “the Tender for the works has been issued and won.  The tender is currently in its 10 day standstill period after that completes it” should be deleted from the Minutes.

There were no matters arising.

Verbal update by CalMac & Western Ferries

Simon Richmond from Argyll Ferries advised the Forum that CMAL are looking into updating their facilities at Gourock, including Kilcreggan steps.  He advised there will be a new timetable for these services.  The Area Governance Assistant agreed to distribute the timetable to all Community Councils.

He reported that there is now a new vessel on the Tarbert-Portavadie sail and the last sailing over the winter is later to allow customers that are arriving off the Islay Ferry in Kennacraig to catch it. 

Sean Clemie from Transport Scotland had a discussion with the Forum in regards to signage on the A83.  The forum expressed their concerns over the signage as nothing has yet been done which is still causing a lot of confusion when the road closes.

Paul Farrell advised that a report will be going to BEAR and Transport Scotland with instructions and options of what Argyll and Bute Council would like in regards to additional signage on the A83.

It was agreed that a representative from Transport Scotland would attend a meeting of each of the  local Community Councils to update on the signage problems and provide reviewed operations plans of what work is going to be done. It was also agreed that subject to timing this commitment could be superseded by attending a caucus meeting.

Paul advised that the A83 study has now been completed at the Rest and Be Thankful and they have finished putting the nets up which will reduce the risk of a landslide.  He informed that the netting was the best solution for the Rest and Be Thankful and the most cost effective option and was working well.

Douglas Blades updated the Forum on the A83 turning circle land and advised that 5 people have been invited to tender.  He advised that this will not be completed now until July 2015 as the levels and depths had proven to be much more difficult from an engineering and cost perspective than previously thought    Douglas agreed to keep the forum informed.

Verbal update by West Coast Motors & McGills Buses

The Forum had a discussion on the number of complaints which have been received recently in regards to the change in the bus timetables.

Eleanor Stevenson raised a concern about the Toward/Ardentinny bus time table as she has received complaints in regard to the connection for the ferry on the Toward – Dunoon leg as the timing is too tight and people are missing their ferries because the bus time table was behind its schedule.

Douglas advised that the bus timetables have now been amended.

Douglas asked the forum to try and promote the Saturday morning bus service from Strachur as there is only 5 or 6 people using this service and the people of Strachur don’t want to loose it.

Douglas reported on the paper that is going to the Bute and Cowal Area Committee. After consultation with parents, pupils and the local community a decision has been taken by the Education Service to vary the opening hours of Dunoon Grammar School with effect from August 2014.  Douglas advised that he had been informed that this would enable the school to further embrace the Scottish Government’s rationale for Curriculum for Excellence. 

Bus Stop at Ferry Terminal

Callum Rae from West Coast Motors raised an issue about the vehicles parking on the bus stop at the Argyll Ferries Terminal.  He advised that the current satiation is dangerous for customers getting off and on the bus as the it can’t get into the stop to drop them off due to badly parked cars.

Douglas agreed to take this issue up with Martin Gorringe, the Council’s Marine Operations Manager and report back to the next meeting.

Parking at Western Ferries

Fulton McInnes raised a concern over the number of cars which park along the road at the Sandbank side of Western Ferries.  He advised that this is highly dangerous for vehicles to pass.  The Chair agreed to speak to Councillor Blair about this issue as it was previously raised with him but he has received no response.  The Group also agreed to raise this issue with Gordon Ross of Western Ferries.

Coastal Waters

Iain MacInnes updated the Forum on the storm damage which has appeared at Coastal Waters.  He advised that a vehicle was smashed here following boulders coming loose, which has now become a health and safety issue.

Friday 5^th September 2014

The next Cowal Transport Forum will be held on Friday 5^th September at 10am in Castle House, Dunoon.