Cabinet Secretary looking at potential purchase of Ardrossan Harbour (2025)

But politicians want action after Task Force meets.

Transport Secretary Fiona Hyslop has re-affirmed her commitment to the future of Ardrossan Harbour, after co-chairing an important meeting of the Ardrossan Taskforce with North Ayrshire Council Leader Marie Burns on Thursday.

However, she admitted she can't give a timeline of essential works, although is hopeful of a potential purchase of the facility in the 2025-26 budget.

The Cabinet Secretary said: "I was pleased to co-chair the latest meeting of the Taskforce and wish to sincerely thank all members for their attendance and constructive engagement during the meeting.

"This Government remains fully committed to the future of Ardrossan Harbour and as discussions progress it is still our intention to utilise the funding for a potential purchase from our 2025-26 budget.

“The input of key project and community stakeholders is of significant value as we make progress on finding a solution at Ardrossan that can be delivered cost-effectively.

“ I recognise the desire from the local community to understand when works on Ardrossan Harbour will begin and what those works will be and how they will be scheduled but such a timeline can only be reasonably established and published on actual purchase and transfer of control of the port.

“There is a requirement for due diligence and agreement of terms between Peel Ports Group and CMAL before any change of ownership could be confirmed. These negotiations are still ongoing, and all parties continue to act in good faith.

"I also met with the Isle of Arran Ferry Committee and brought together a round-table of key stakeholders in Ardrossan where I reaffirmed our intention that when the MV Caledonian Isles returns to service, now expected at the end of May 2025, she will operate out of Ardrossan.

“On my journey to Arran, I had the opportunity to sail on the MV Glen Sannox and saw first-hand the improved resilience and reliability to the main Arran route. We look forward to further benefits across the ferry network in future years as more new vessels and investment in port infrastructure is progressed.”

However, West of Scotland MSP Katy Clark said: “It was great to join campaigners from Arran along with those of us on the mainland that are supporting the Save Ardrossan Harbour Campaign on Saturday at Troon. It shows that this campaign is as strong as ever in its aim to protect the Ardrossan to Arran route for the ferry.

“The Ardrossan Task Force met for the first time in almost a year and it can’t be another excuse to just talk, there has to be action announced. The fact that Fiona Hyslop is leaving CMAL to negotiate the purchase of Ardrossan Harbour with Peel Ports is an error, she must get involved personally and get this deal over the line as soon as possible.

“We have waited long enough, the new ferries were supposed to be operational between Ardrossan and Arran seven years ago and in that seven years no work has been undertaken to get the Harbour at Ardrossan upgraded, this needs to be a priority for The Scottish Government.

“The time for talking is done, Arran and Ardrossan residents and businesses need action.”

Cllr Burns responded: “I, too, have met recently with the Save Ardrossan Harbour Campaign and shared my frustration with the lack of progress. This is what led to the decision by the Scottish Government to bring the harbour into public ownership, a decision supported by North Ayrshire Council. It does, however, take two sides to negotiate a sale, something that Katy Clark doesn’t seem to acknowledge when she calls for politicians to make an announcement.

"I would urge the harbour owners, Peel Ports, together with Transport Scotland, to bring negotiations to a speedy conclusion for the benefit of local communities in both Ardrossan and Arran.”

Arran Labour Councillor, Charles Currie, said: “There is no longer any time for prevarication on the vital action that is required for the future of the economies of the Isle of Arran and the Three Towns.

"The people of Arran do not need an adequate service for the island for the future but demand a first class facility to support the growth of the Arran economy and consistent service from the ferry provider.”

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