Agenda and minutes

There were no apologies received.

Cowal Transport Forum – 6^th June 2014

The Minutes of the previous meeting of 6^th June 2014 were approved as a correct record subject to changes on page 2, Item 5 – Replace Paul with Sean and page 3, item 8 “Fulton McInnes raised a concern regarding the overflow form Western Ferries car park on the Sandbank side of the road citing that in his view it was dangerous for cars to queue there.”

It was noted that this item should be raised with the police and a letter drafted.

Verbal update by Transport Scotland

It was agreed to take item 3 and Item 5 of the agenda together.

The representative from Transport Scotland updated the forum on the following points:

• There had been no closures to the Rest and Be Thankful since the last meeting.
• Transport Scotland were continuing to improve their operational plan for a diversion route.
• The netting had been completed and this can now be removed from the action tracker.
• Landslide Issues – They are now concentrating on the areas of Glen Kinglass and Loch Shearer. Which are both now at design stage
• Strone Point – The final detailed design had been completed and work would commence in the spring.
• Dunderave – This project is being split into smaller sections, since it is a bigger undertaking than originally thought, and completion has been staged over the next few years..

• VMS Strategy – Transport Scotland are currently identifying suitable road points and a further discussion will need to take place with the roads department as to where they would like the signage erected. The VMS safety messages are largely in place

Update on Signs:-

The requirement for Gaelic signing is delaying the installation of new signage, which is currently in the process of being designed. .

Concerns were noted from the forum about the length of time it was taking to complete the appropriate signage.

Transport Scotland informed the forum that there is currently one VMS sign available for immediate deployment, and they would deploy it where requested by roads.

Action

·         AB&C Roads department to send specific signage to Transport Scotland and they will erect it.

·         Councillor McNaughton will take the signage issues to the Councillors Workshop on Monday 8^th September and strongly raise it.

Verbal update by Public Transport Officer and Transport Scotland

Douglas Blades updated the Forum on the A83 turning circle, and advised that as previously reported the tenders had come in at two to three times more than originally thought consequently, there is insufficient funding within the original budget from S.P.T. to complete the work.

There is currently a bid lodged with the Bus Investment Fund for further money and it is hoped that this will be fruitful.

Outcome

The forum will wait for the outcome of the proposed bid and then look at alternative options depending on the result of the bid.

Douglas Blades to keep the forum updated.

Verbal update by Transport Scotland

This item was taken at item 3 and 4 of the agenda.

• Ferry time-tables, Ticketing, Greater Transport Integration

Verbal update by Argyll Ferries and Western Ferries

Argyll Ferries

David Taylor from Argyll Ferries updated the Forum on the progress that CMAL have made into updating their facilities at Gourock, including Kilcreggan steps, this has now been put out to tender with a view to works starting at some point this year. 

He reported that the Coruisk will be available again this year through the winter months and will be operating two morning and two evening sails. 

A discussion took place between the forum and David Taylor with the following points noted:

• The impact of the Wemyss Bay work on the Dunoon sailings is still unclear and a timetable will need to be worked out that doesn’t impinge on the Dunoon service.
• It was discussed that a permanent waiting room at the Dunoon Pier was required, this was previously part of the CHORD project for which with Argyll and Bute Council are responsible..

Actions:

• Councillor McNaughton will raise the issue regarding the waiting room at an Area Committee meeting to gain clarification on the matter.
• Argyll Ferries will consult with the forum re Wemyss Bay once a timeframe has been put in place.
• The Area Governance Officer will consult with the CHORD Project in regards to the passenger buildings and berthing facilities.

Western Ferries

Gordon Ross from Western Ferries informed the forum that everything had went smoothly over the Cowal Games weekend.

There are currently four sailings an hour with both linkspans being used and the new bigger boats are now in use, he advised the group that in his view this is now a smoothly run, effective service.

• School Buses (problem because of the new school times)

Verbal update by Public Transport Officer, West Coast Motors & McGills Buses

Douglas Blades provided a report to the forum in response to the discussion from the previous meeting on the number of complaints which have been received recently in regarding to the change in the bus timetables.

Douglas advised that there has been one formal complaint since the change in bus timetables to accommodate the new school hours, which  was about the Glendaruel service bus.  There are also issues about the permit under which the bus is now operated in that members of the public can no longer be carried. This will be investigated to see if it can be resolved,

A discussion was held and the following points were noted:

·    The 489 service is not always going up North Campbell Road as timetabled.

·    No timetable in the bus shelter at Morrison’s – It was explained that this was a new shelter and this issue would be rectified shortly.

·    Community Council members raised an issue regarding the late night bus service that was put on to Strachur over Cowal Games Weekend. It was felt that this was not advertised correctly so therefore was not utilised appropriately.

·    The 80 service has now been deregistered. It is being put out to tender.

Verbal update by Argyll Ferries and McGills Buses

McGills advised that they are happy to look again at the timetable although it is their view that timetable revision will not completely resolve the issue.

McGills timetables are now published in the Cowal Timetable handbook.

There was no representative from Till Hill Present and no report was submitted.

No other business was raised

Friday 5^th December 2014

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