Hundreds protest against ferry changes

Over 400 people staged a protest on Kilcreggan’s historic pier today (Saturday), worried about changes to their ferry service.

Villagers of all ages made their feelings clear about the risk to their ferry service and the fact that making pier staff redundant will leave the pier unmanned for the first time in its history.

Dumbarton constituency MSP Jackie Baillie called for SPT to extend the current contract with Clyde Marine Motoring, suspend the contract signed with Clydelink and reopen the tendering process afresh.

Jackie said: “It is impressive that over 400 people turned out in support of their ferry service. The tendering process undertaken by SPT has been less than transparent. A new vessel was promised as part of the contract but that has not materialised and there are concerns about the vessel that will be used.

Councillor George Freeman said: “I’m absolutely delighted by the turnout today. People from both sides of the Clyde are showing their concerns – they rely on this boat to go back and forth to work and college. We still have major concerns that on April 1 there will be no boat that is certificated to operate on this route.”
Gerry Gaffney, who represent the Coulport and Faslane workers who rely on the ferry service, said: “We are aware that the Island Princess has arrived on the Clyde and we are also told the the backup vessel will soon be here, but neither of those boats are authorised to operate on that route.”
Police were in attendance but the event was good-humoured and there were no arrests.

The Seabus is significantly bigger than its planned replacement.

The village youth cafe produced a banner for the event.