MSP Jackie Baillie had an urgent meeting today (Wednesday) with Scottish Transport Minister Keith Brown over the Kilcreggan to Gourock ferry link.
No ferries have run since Monday afternoon; operators Clydelink have arranged coaches as an alternative for the rest of today but have not announced when the Island Princess will be able to run again.
Ms Baillie, whose Dumbarton constituency includes the Rosneath Peninsula, said: “I have this morning sought and had an urgent meeting with the Transport Minister.
“I have made clear the nature of the problems being experienced and alerted him to the fears about the sustainability of the service if things are allowed to continue in their current form.
“I will also by this afternoon have emailed the Chair and chief executive of SPT, copying in the Minister, to complain in the strongest possible terms about the lack of an acceptable and safe service for my constituents.”
Clydelink say the Island Princess suffered damage due to a creel line on Monday afternoon. In mid-March SPT said a back-up boat would be available on this service, but no boat has yet been given the appropriate certificate by the MCA.
Even if the boat is repaired in time for Thursday morning, this week will be the longest period for decades that Kilcreggan pier – a listed building which is the oldest wooden pier still in daily use on the Clyde – has stood without receiving a ferry.
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