New concerns have been raised about a £20m project for new ferries to serve Kilcreggan and Dunoon.
Last year it was revealed here that councillors in Dunoon had been able to vote on the project and ask questions – unlike those representing Helensburgh and the Rosneath Peninsula.
But now it has emerged that Argyll and Bute Council has still not nominated an elected member to represent the Kilcreggan area in crucial talks – despite being invited to do so several months ago – while two milestones for the project have been missed.
Three new ferries to serve both Dunoon and Kilcreggan are planned, with an estimated total cost which has risen by 40% to £21m.
And pontoons or linkspans for the new boats are planned – with the council budgeting £1.1m for the ‘Kilcreggan Harbour’ project.
In May the Cowal Transport Forum – which has no representatives from the Helensburgh and Lomond area – was given an update by Ruaridh Campbell, harbour and engineering liaison manager for Caledonian Maritime Assets Ltd (CMAL).
A previous meeting of this group was told that members of a reference group would be given confidential documents so they could provide feedback ahead of public consultation.
And Mr Campbell’s report to the May meeting – which followed ‘serious concerns’ being reported here about decisions affecting the Rosneath Peninsula being made by councillors in Dunoon – said: “Argyll and Bute Council have been invited to propose a Cllr to represent Kilcreggan.”
The council has not done so though, with a spokesperson saying this week: “The request to appoint an elected member is still being pursued and officers are liaising with CMAL. Once this has concluded, we can give you an update.”
Cllr George Freeman, whose Lomond North ward includes Kilcreggan, said he was taking the matter up with council officers.
“I am most disappointed that discussions continue that impact on Kilcreggan, yet only councillors from the Bute and Cowal area appear to have any say in this at this time,” he said.
“I believe that it is essential that a Lomond North councillor who represents Kilcreggan is involved in these discussions and has the opportunity to input to this important project.”
It was decided to set up the reference group, to include representatives of local communities, in October 2019.
Gourock and Dunoon consultation delayed
Meanwhile, ‘public engagement’ on the project – which was due to start in early June – has still not begun, and an outline business case for the new vessels has also been delayed.
A CMAL spokesperson said this week that the public engagement was for the Gourock Masterplan and Dunoon concept vessels, saying the delay was because ‘further development of the outline options has been required’.
She added: “Argyll and Bute Council will take forward further design work after the Gourock Masterplan public consultation has been completed. Then their reference group and public engagement sessions for both Dunoon and Kilcreggan will follow on.”
It seems clear though that the Gourock masterplan will affect what happens at Kilcreggan – notes from a steering group meeting last year say of berthing arrangements: “The outcome of the Gourock progress will then inform design work for both Dunoon and Kilcreggan.”
The outline business case for the new vessels was scheduled for spring of this year, with the tendering process starting 12 months later.
The CMAL spokesperson said: “The timeline for this has been revised to reflect the additional project information gathering and scoping work undertaken.”
When asked why the current MV Chieftain could not continue on the route, rather than a new boat being built which it has been stated will carry fewer passengers, CMAL said: “The MV Chieftain is nearing the end of its serviceable life, however no final decision has been taken on capacity for the Kilcreggan vessel, as we are still in consultation with Transport Scotland.”
Minutes from the May meeting of a steering group which includes civil servants from CMAL, CalMac, Transport Scotland and the council, state that the following decision has been made: “Gourock-Kilcreggan vessel design optimised to 50 passengers with max capacity at 85 passengers. The vessel design will therefore proceed on this basis.”
MV Chieftain can carry a maximum of 100 passengers.
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