Agenda and minutes

Apologies for absence were intimated by:

Councillor Gordon Blair

Councillor Michael Breslin

Paul Farrell, Technical Officer

Fulton McInnes, Hunters Quay Community Council

John Forrest, Police Scotland

Cowal Transport Forum 15^th April 2016

The minute of the meeting of the Transport Forum 15 April 2016 was approved as a correct record.

Verbal update by Transport Scotland.

Keith Murray, Transport Scotland took the Forum through an Argyll wide list of proposed work that provided a financial breakdown as well as an area breakdown and a list of specific repairs which included – bridges, strategic road safety, routine maintenance, structural maintenance and minor improvements.

Action

Transport Scotland to look at two points in the Cairndow road that have been identified as accident spots to see if improvements can be made regarding signage and sight lines.

Verbal update by Transport Scotland and Roads Department.

The Contracts Manager informed the Group that from a roads perspective works had been completed on time and that there was currently no plans to adopt the turning circle. Roads and Amenity Services would continue to monitor the situation regarding cars and touring buses parking in the turning circle.

It was also noted that the turning circle would be gritted by Transport Scotland or the Roads department even though it is not classed as an adopted area.

Iain MacInnes advised the meeting that there are still ongoing issues regarding touring buses parking in the turning circle and it was his understanding that letters were being sent from the public transport department to the relevant coach companies.

The Community Transport Officer informed the Group that the letters would be issued shortly.

Verbal update by Argyll Ferries and Western Ferries representative.

Argyll Ferries

Simon Richmond and Scott Goodwill from Argyll Ferries provided the Forum with the following update:

·         Caledonian MacBrayne was the preferred bidder in the recent tendering process for the contract which will start in October 2016.

·         The impact of RET means that Colintraive service continues to be busy.

·         The network on a whole continues to be busy.

·         The contract for the current Argyll Ferries service will be up for renewal in 2017.

·         Additional sailings will be provided over the Cowal Games weekend.

·         Seven percent of sailings were cancelled in May 2016.

The Forum held a conversation regarding the frequency of cancelled services or possibilities of disruption to services and how this could be better advertised. It was noted that community councils have had public representation regarding the difficulties in planning journeys due to not knowing of possible disruptions to services in advance. It was also noted that Argyll Ferries currently have a text messaging service as well updates being widely available through social media.

Western Ferries

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

·         Uptake on service is higher this year.

·         Western Ferries currently have 100% reliability year to date.

·         The tender process for the Dunoon Gourock service currently being run by Argyll Ferries is now underway but no documentation from the Scottish Government has been released.

·         McGills buses have launched a new timetable which will provide an additional mid-week service.

·         A planning application has been submitted to create a new berthing space and linkspan at McInroy’s point. Once this is completed the same works will be carried out at Hunter’s Quay.

Actions

1.    Simon Richmond will contact CMAL regarding providing a response to the letter sent by the Transport Forum.

2.    Community Transport Officer will ask McGills for an update regarding the waiting times to link up to the Clydebank bus.

3.    Community Transport Officer to liaise with City Link regarding the missing connection on the Inveraray to Oban route.

Verbal update by Community Transport Officer.

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

·         McGills service buses now provide a local pick up and drop service between the Dunoon pier and Hunter’s Quay, which will provide a more frequent service locally; however the pricing structure for this service is still to be looked at as they currently don’t have provision for short journey fares.

·         The timetable at the bus stop near the hospital has been put up off a previously raised action.

The Forum held a discussion and raised concerns regarding proposed works by Scottish Water that potentially could cause disruptions for the Ardentinny and Toward bus routes.

Strachur Community Council requested information on policies relating to individuals using bus services. John Anderson, West Coast Motors informed the Group of the Company’s procedural guidelines regarding individuals using services.  It was noted that any specific issues should be raised with the appropriate bodies directly.

Actions

1.    Community Governance Manager to express concerns raised by the Transport Forum to Scottish Water.

2.    Graeme Revill will check with Kilmun Community Council as to whether an invitation can be extended to the Cowal Transport Forum to attend the next Community Council meeting as Scottish Water will be in attendance.

3.    A further update on the Ardentinny Turning Circle to be brought to the next Cowal Transport Forum.

Verbal update by Contracts Manager.

Update by Contracts Manager.

Following on from the previous transport Meeting held in April the Contracts Manager informed the Group that a meeting is currently in progress of being organised and it is hoped that this meeting will have taken place by the end of July with an update being brought back to the next meeting of the Transport Forum.

Verbal update by Contracts Manager.

Keith Murray from Transport Scotland addressed the following issues concerning signage:

·         VMS sign for Strachur completed and will be on site next week.

·         BEAR Scotland currently looking for sites for lockable cabinets to store temporary signs.

·         VMS signs are only put in place on strategic routes.

The contracts manager took the Forum through previous actions raised against Roads and Amenity Services and provided timescales for completed of all issues raised.

Actions

1.    Keith Murray to look at installing lockable cabinets in Lochgoilhead.

2.    Iain MacInnes and Kevin McIntosh to hold a site meeting re concerns raised.

3.    Iain McInnes to liaise with Drimsynie regarding possible financial input for signage.

4.    Contracts Manager to investigate issues regarding logging lorries not using designated routes.

5.    Contracts Manager to include Community Councils into emails advising of road disruptions.

6.    Senior Area Committee Assistant to send contracts manager a list of Community Council contacts.

Verbal update by Technical Officer.

The Contracts Manager reported to the Forum that this item has been dealt with, the motor caravan is no longer parked in the area, therefore this item is resolved.

Verbal update by Police Scotland representative.

A representative from Police Scotland had submitted apologies to the meeting, therefore no update was provided.

Verbal update by Scottish Fire and Rescue Representative.

A Scottish Fire and Rescue representative was not present at the meeting, therefor no update was provided.

Archie Reid, Strachur Community Council informed the Group that he had been approached by members of the public regarding scaffolding being left in the disabled bay on Argyll Street near the Burgh Hall Duoon.

The Contracts Manager explained that permission had been given at local level for use during the construction of the scaffolding on the grounds of safety but that the bay should not continue to be used for storage purposed f it is causing a disruption to disabled parking access.

Anne Gabriel, Cowal Access panel informed the Group that the newer trains being used on the Gourock to Glasgow route now have button activated wheelchair ramps fitted.

Action

Contracts Manager to investigate if the scaffolding has been removed.

Friday 2^nd September 2016, 10am, Wooden Pier Building, Dunoon.

The next Cowal Transport Forum will be held on Friday 2^nd September at 10am in the Timber Pier Building, Dunoon.