Agenda and minutes

Apologies for absence were intimated from:

Keith Murray, Transport Scotland

John Forrest, Police Scotland

Cowal Transport Forum 11^th September 2015

The minute of the meeting of the Transport Forum 11 September 2015 was approved as a correct record subject to a change at item 3. Transport Scotland regarding the timeframes for VMS sign installation in Lochgoilhead and Strachur.

The Chair ruled and the Forum agreed that items 6. (a) Congestion at Hunters Quay and 5. (b) McGills Service 480 would be taken after item 4. Ferries update of agenda to allow representatives from Argyll Ferries and Western Ferries to leave the meeting early due to weather conditions and prior appointments.

Verbal update by Transport Scotland.

Apologies were submitted from Keith Murray, Transport Scotland, the following was submitted via email prior to the meeting:

The response plan for use of the Old Military Road during A83 closures has been reviewed and a scenario planning exercise will take place in the near future.

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It is planned to have a strategic review in January of VMS in Argyll. Parts for the VMS in Killin Depot are still awaited.

Verbal update by Argyll Ferries and Western Ferries representatives.

Argyll Ferries

Simon Richmond from Caledonian MacBrayne provided the Forum with the following verbal update:

·         Wemyss Bay closure has gone ahead and the alternative route from Gourock to Rothesay is running well.

·         Joint ticketing has been put in place which allows vehicle users to use the Western Ferries in order to then take their vehicle onto the Rothesay ferry.

·         Drydocking of two vessels is currently coming to an end and both will be in service shortly.

·         There has been no significant change to passenger numbers from last year using Argyll Ferries.

·         Councillor McNaughton expressed concern about the alterations of the slip ways at Colintraive.

·         The Forum held a discussion in relation to the ongoing works at Dunoon Pier and the Area Governance Manager informed the Group that a partnership had been set up yo look at future usage of the pier and the buildings that sit on it.

Western Ferries

Gordon Ross from Western Ferries provided the Forum with the following verbal update:

·         Preparation works are currently being undertaken to refurbishment older structural parts to McKinlay’s Quay, MacInroy’s Point and Kilmun.

·         The Sound of Shuna is currently in drydock undergoing a refurbishment to passenger areas.

·         Willie Lynch asked whether Western Ferries were planning to put toilet facilities at their waiting areas. Gordon Ross replied that due to the frequency of the ferry services, all of which have toilets on board he didn’t feel it necessary.

Verbal update by Community Transport Officer and Caledonian MacBrayne representative.

Simon Richmond from Caledonian MacBrayne provided the Forum with a verbal update on the issues raised regarding the Bus connections during the ongoing ferry refits, he reported that West Coast Motors have agreed to move their timetable by ten minutes of the one affected service which fixes the problem.

A Roads representative was not present at the meeting so therefore no update was given from roads.

The Forum held a discussion on this item and it was agreed that this item should be brought back to the January Transport meeting, with appropriate representatives present to discuss the congestion caused by queing and the current parking arrangements.

Verbal update by Community Transport Officer.

The Community Transport Officer provided the Forum with the following update:

As of 5^th January 2016 the 1945 and 2045 departures from Dunoon for Glasgow will no longer operate. The Dunoon bound service that provided these arrivals will terminate at 1847 and 1947 at McInroys Point with no return Journey to Greenock or Glasgow.

Agenda items 5. (a) Service 480, (c) Alexandra Parade and (g) Strachur Bus Route were taken as one item as they all link together, with the Community Transport Officer providing the following verbal update:

The loop around Alexandra parade is coming off to improve timekeeping and a minimal service will be provided by the new 482 and 483 services, a timetable of these services was provided to the Forum. It was also noted that following consultation with passengers there would now be no changes to the 489 Strachur service.

The Community Transport Officer reported to the Forum that the timetable has been altered slightly and as a result no connections have been lost and leaflets detailing the changes have been produced and distributed. He also confirmed that required alterations to the bus shelter at Cowal Community Hospital will be completed urgently.

The Community Transport Officer informed the Group that the bus turning

circle is now completed and was jointly funded by the Bus Investment Fund, two SPT Capital Grant Funds and Argyll and Bute Council. It was noted that work relating to the kerbing and white lining will be completed soon.

Iain McInnes expressed thanks to the Forum for all the hard work that had gone into getting the Turning Circle.

The Community Transport Officer informed the Group that Citylink services 926 and 976 started using the Rest and Be Thankful stop on the 23^rd November 2015, an issue had been raised regarding the stop not being on CityLinks booking system and this cannot be resolved until May when their new summer timetables come into effect but the Public Transport department have asked West Coast Motors to remind drivers of this issue and allow passengers onto the bus.

Verbal update by Roads and Streetworks Coordinator

A representative from the Roads department was not present at the meeting and therefore no update was provided.

The Forum expressed disappointment at the lack of representation.

Verbal update by Roads and Streetworks Co-ordinator

Representatives from Transport Scotland and the Roads department were not present at the meeting so therefore no formal update on signage was provided for items 7. (a) Damaged signage update, (b) Strachur Bay Sign and (c) Lochgoilhead bridge sign.

The Forum suggested a signage review should be brought to the January meeting of the Transport Forum.

Verbal update by Police Scotland representative.

PC David McPhee provided the Forum with a statistical breakdown from Police Scotland, with the following points noted:

·        Since September 2015 there have been sixty four reported traffic related matters, which included speeding, drink driving, driving without insurance and incidents of careless or dangerous driving.

·        A speeding initiative – Operation Brake has recently taken place.

·        Police Scotland will be launching their Festive drink driving campaign which will run until January and figures will be brought back to a furute Transport meeting.

·        Fulton McInnes raised that he had been made aware through a national neighbourhood watch scheme that there have been incidents of people posing as police officers. PC McPhee responded that he was aware this goes on but there have been no reported incidents in the Bute and Cowal area but reminded the Forum that if anyone has any doubts or concerns to call the 101 national number.

Verbal update by Scottish Fire and Rescue representative.

A representative from Scottish Fire and Rescue was not present at the meeting so therefore no update was provided.

Interloch Transport

Allan MacRaild addressed the Forum in connection with services Interloch currently provide and his concerns regarding the proposed cuts to the Community Transport funding as outlined in the Service Choices consultation pack. Allan expressed that the proposed cut would severely impact on the elderly community of Cowal of which Interloch currently provide a service to 166 elderly clients whose needs cannot be met through other transport providers.

The Area Governance Manager acknowledged Allan’s concerns and stressed that it was important for people to engage in the consultation process so as to provide Argyll and Bute Council with feedback that can considered in the decision making process. It was also noted that suggested alternatives can be submitted with the consultation documents and people are encouraged to contact their local Councillors with any information they would like fed into the consultation process.

Other AOCB

Iain McNaughton informed the group that a presentation was made at the November Bute and Cowal Community Planning Group by the Cowal Fixed Link Working Group of which it’s purpose is to strengthen existing transport links and create new ones for the Cowal area.

Proposed 2016 meeting dates to be agreed.

The Forum agreed the proposed dates for future meetings as tabled in the agenda pack subject to a change to the November meeting and the next Cowal Transport Forum will be held on Friday 29th January 2015 at 10am in Castle House, Dunoon.