PRESS RELEASE

October 29th, 2009

Ferry caution

Greenock and Inverclyde MSP Duncan McNeil is seeking assurances from Transport Minister Stewart Stevenson that the Gourock to Dunoon service will not suffer a loss in quality following a ruling by the European Commission.

The Caledonian MacBrayne route was found to breach European competition laws and should be put out to an open and accountable tender.

The local MSP now wants garantees that local people who use the route will not be impacted by the changes.

Greenock and Inverclyde MSP Duncan McNeil said: "While I welcome the support for lifeline ferry services on the West Coast and the Northern Isles, I am very concerned about the implications of this ruling for services between Gourock and Dunoon.

“The Scottish Government must ensure that there is no loss in quality of services for people travelling between Gourock and Dunoon as as it is a vital public transport connection to the rail network and must be retained to a high standard.

"I will be making representations to the minister seeking assurances about this at the earliest opportunity."

ENDS