Transport links between Dunoon and Gourock will receive a boost this week when the new half-hourly passenger ferry service gets underway on Thursday 30 June.

Council staff will be on hand when the service welcomes its first passengers to direct them and ensure their safety.

It’s only three weeks since the Scottish government confirmed the new passenger-only service had been awarded to Argyll Ferries, a subsidiary of David MacBrayne Ltd. Since then Argyll and Bute Council has redesigned its pier layout to make sure it is ready for the first voyage on 30 June.

The council has provided a new waiting room and toilets for passengers and has made arrangements for bus drop-off points and free parking.

The current one way system will continue to operate on the pier head, with vehicles directed by the existing signs. If needed overspill parking will be provided in the current car marshalling area, adjacent to the old pier.

Argyll and Bute Council also has responsibility for the link-span – a steel structure which is adjusted to suit the height of the tide, allowing ferries to dock and their passengers to board safely at any time. The linkspan has been subject to weekly tests and maintenance inspections, and is ready to operate on Thursday.

The council has installed additional mooring points and has worked with Argyll Ferries to make sure the ferry and the docking area are designed to fit each other.

Councillor Duncan Macintyre, spokesperson for transport said:

“The Scottish Government left us with a very tight timescale. It only confirmed appointment of Argyll Ferries on June 7 and the new service starts on June 30 so everyone involved has worked extremely fast to meet the launch date.

“We’ve worked closely with the ferry operator to make sure the pier-head is ready to use and have made sure the dockside layout is capable of receiving passengers in cars, from buses, on cycles and on foot in the safest way possible.

“Deadlines have been very tight and in an ideal world we would have had more time to let passengers know what was happening but what’s important here is that residents and visitors to Dunoon now have another ferry service to use, which is good news for the town.”

Councillor Bruce Marshall, chairman of the Bute and Cowal Area Committee, believes the service will benefit the economy in Dunoon. He explains;

“While the council fought hard to secure a vehicle ferry service we have to accept that the government chose instead to only award a tender for a passenger service. Anything which makes it easier for people to live, work and trade in Dunoon can only benefit the area and its economy. The council has worked hard with its partners to make this service a reality in a short space of time and I believe it will have a positive impact on the town.”

Half hourly ferry services have been timetabled to link with train services in Gourock. Sailings will operate from Dunoon between 0650 and 2310 Monday to Thursday, with later ferries to 0125 on Fridays and Saturdays. The first ferry on Sundays is at 0850 and the last at 2250. Tickets are available on board. An adult day return is £6.60 or £15.25, including rail travel to Glasgow.  Full timetable and fare details are available from http://www.calmac.co.uk/