Report
to the People
7th
October 2002
Common Cause
When many of us who live on this side of the Clyde hear talk about ferries, we may well recall black and white memories of Fair Friday trips doon the watter.
However for others, such as our neighbours across the river in Argyll, a ferry trip conjures up no such romantic images. To them, a ferry is no more exotic than the 08:17 to Glasgow Central or a traffic jam in the middle lane of the M8. It’s just an integral part of everyday life.
So when it was suggested, as you will doubtless have read in your Telegraph, that European Union competition rules may end the Cal Mac vehicle service between Gourock and Dunoon, our friends on the Cowal peninsula were understandably concerned.
But it’s not only an issue there.
As you know, the Cal Mac headquarters in Gourock provide us with a wide range of highly valued, quality jobs which we would not want to see put at risk. There are also obvious worries about increased traffic – including HGVs and coaches – travelling through the already busy centre of Gourock to catch a Western Ferry from McIlroy’s Point. And taking the longer view, would any reduction of service threaten the future of the planned transport interchange and extensive redevelopment in and around Gourock pier?
These were among the points I put to Transport Minister, Lewis Macdonald, during a debate on the issue in the Scottish Parliament last Thursday evening.
Responding, the Minister was clear. He could see no reason why Cal Mac’s Gourock headquarters would move.
Further, he agreed that he and his officials would discuss any traffic problems in Gourock with the Council, should they arise. (I will, though, be pursuing this further. Regardless of what Cal Mac does, there are transport issues in Gourock which need to be addressed.)
Finally, the Minister assured me that any decision on the ferry service will have no direct impact on the transport hub. Indeed, the Minister restated that he shares my concerns about the delays around the project and is in talks about how to get it moving again.
The proposals as they stand raise a number of serious concerns – as much in Gourock as in Cowal – and this reassurance from the Minister is, of course, to be welcomed. But I will continue to press him to keep an open mind and look at all proposals to safeguard the future of this important service.
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