Agenda and minutes

Apologies for absence were intimated from:

David Lees, McGills Bus Service

Cowal Transport Forum – 5^th September 2014

The minute of the meeting of the Transport Forum 5^th September 2014 was approved as a correct record subject to changes to Items 3 & 4 of the minute submitted by Iain McInnes and agreed by the Forum.

Verbal Update by Transport Scotland

Sean Clemie from Transport Scotland updated the Forum on the following points:

·         Work to the A83 will continue to progress over the next few months including the tying back of the boulder.

·         Sean took the Forum through the large landslide that occurred on the 28^th October 2014, informing the group that a large portion of the boulder was caught by the netting but due to the severity of the landslide the boulder did come over the net causing the road to be closed and the old military road to be brought into use, he informed the group that feedback from this exercise had been positive.

·         Iain McInnes thanked Sean and Transport Scotland for the improvements that had been made to the Rest and Be Thankful so far.

·         Signage – A discussion took place regarding the ongoing issues around appropriate signage. Iain MacInnes raised specifically the lack of signage at Strachur and Lochgoilhead alerting road users to issues on the A83 and alternative routes. He also raised a question to Transport Scotland and the Roads department as to why Cardross has a variable sign in place and one is not available for Lochgoilhead.

·         Paul Farrell informed the group that he is currently waiting for a sign to be delivered by Transport Scotland which will be placed in St Catherines.

·         Gordon Ross raised a concern relating to the length of time it is taking for appropriate signage to be erected.

·         Paul Farrell informed the group that there is a programme currently running to clean up existing signs.

Actions

1.    Iain MacInnes asked Argyll and Bute Council along with Transport Scotland to look again at the signage and the individual unsolved issues.

2.    Paul Farrell to update Gordon Ross on his requested sign.

3.    Councillor Alex McNaughton to raise with Jim Smith that there is a current lack of communication.

Verbal update by Public Transport Officer and Transport Scotland

Martin Arnold updated the Forum on the A83 turning circle, and advised that they were successful in their bid securing £250,000 and were currently applying to the Capital Grant fund for the remaining £125,000 which will then allow them to start works, with an estimated start date of March or April 2015.

Action

Martin Arnold will ask Douglas Blades for accurate timescales for the project and feedback to the Forum.

·         Carrick Castle Bus Service

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

Carrick Castle Bus Service

The Community Transport Officer gave a verbal update specifically relating to the issues surrounding the current timetable and service being provided to Carrick and surrounding areas.

Councillor McNaughton raised the issue that there is no longer a bus service in operation to Carrick after lunchtime which is causing problems for local residents.

Martin Arnold suggested that one idea that had been provisionally discussed was consulting the Community Council to see if they would be interested in using the community mini bus to provide this service but it would need to be looked at in further detail before discussions could take place.

Action

Martin Arnold to keep Iain MacInnes informed of the progress of this idea.

Other Bus Issues

The Community Transport Officer and members of the Forum held a discussion in relation to any other bus issues that are currently affecting the community which included service 480 Toward to Ardentinny, Martin Arnold updated the group on a paper that is going to February Area Committee proposing that the route is slightly altered to include a loop of Argyll Street before it continues it’s route to Toward, Eleanor Stevenson thought that this would be very well received by local residents.

Service 80 Hunters Quay was also discussed outlining that this service has been reduced and no longer provides a half hourly service.

Verbal update by Argyll Ferries and Western Ferries

Argyll Ferries

A representative from Argyll Ferries was not present at the meeting, so no update was provided.

Western Ferries

Gordon Ross from Western Ferries gave a verbal update on the current running of the service, reporting no current issues and noting that the Mobile App that is available to alert travellers of disruptions is working well and reducing the number of phone calls to the office.

Report by Till Hill Forestry (to follow)

Stephen Tong from UPM Tilhill took the Forum through a briefing which provided an overview of the current arrangements for timber extraction through Gleann Mor with the following noted:

·        That 3500 tons of Timber has been extracted from the harvesting site in Gleann Mor and that the site will now remain relatively quiet for the next two years before starting to harvest again from the site.

·        A trial was conducted which involved hauling material out through the B828 using a CTI equipped vehicle. The trial was thought to be successful and minimised the distance travelled on the main roads B828 and B839.

·        Iain MacInes informed the Forum that there had been no complaints from the community during the process.

Other Areas in Cowal

Carrick – Steven Tong informed the group that there is potential for the landing site to be put in this year.

Ormidale – Grant funding is being accessed to allow for improvements to the road which will help prevent lorries going through Tighnabruaich as this is an issue for residents.

Opening of B836 to timber transport – Paul Farrell informed the group that this would be imminent and a point was raised from the group that given that parts of this road remain single track there will be scope for disruption.

Transport Forum Membership

Councillor Alex McNaughton invited the Forums views on:

1.    Expanding the membership list of the Forum

2.    Inviting Guest speakers that have links to the Transport industry to provide a presentation to the group.

3.    To invite a sixth year from Dunoon Grammar School to sit on the Forum.

This was discussed by the group but no action was taken at this point.

Community Planning Partnership

The Community Governance Manager asked the Forum to nominate a representative who would sit on the Community Planning Group membership and in particular invited interest from private sector representatives.

Outcome

Members of the Forum to have a think in regards to becoming a member of the local Community Planning Partnership and then contact the Community Governance Manager if they require any further information or want to show an interest in becoming a member.

Other AOCB

Fulton McInnes raised an issue in regards to Item 2 of the minute 5^th September 2014, that there was still an outstanding action in regards to drafting a letter to the Police. The Community Governance Manager agreed to action this and also invite Police Scotland to attend the next Transport Forum in March.

Actions

1.    Letter to be drafted to Police Scotland regarding the overflow of traffic onto the road from the car park at Western Ferries.

2.    An action mandate to accompany the minutes to be produced.

3.    Paul Farrell to look into the current gritter situation and get back to Iain MacInnes.

4.    Invite John Gordon from the CHORD project to give an update to the Forum in regards to the progress of the Queens Hall and Wooden Pier works.

Friday 27^th March 2015

The next Cowal Transport Forum will be held on Friday 27^th March 2015 at 10am in Castle House, Dunoon