Gourock ferry terminal survey is launched

A survey on the redevelopment of Gourock ferry terminal, which will affect the future of Kilcreggan and Dunoon ferries, has been launched today.

Originally due in early June, the community engagement process is being run by Caledonian Maritime Assets Ltd (CMAL).

Diagrams of the preferred options show passenger-only ferries – presumably for Dunoon and Kilcreggan – being accessed via ‘mechanical passenger access ramps’, while there is also berthing space for the very overdue MV Glen Sannox.

Six options are given for the public to comment on, although diagrams for only two of these are supplied – all the options are discussed in this video:

The survey will close on October 1.

CMAL says ‘a preferred option has emerged’ based on an appraisal against project requirements, as well as transport planning objectives and Scottish Transport Appraisal Guidance (STAG) criteria.

Graeme McGinty, senior project manager at CMAL, said: “At this stage, the options and designs are outline with much of the detail still to be developed.  However, we are at an appropriate stage to seek the views of the community, the process followed and the resulting preferred option.

“We welcome feedback from the community, particularly those who use the ferry service and harbour regularly.  Feedback will be considered when making a decision on the final preferred option and in the subsequent development of that option.”

Read more – catamarans planned as new ferries for Kilcreggan and Dunoon

After the feedback has been analysed, the final preferred option will be presented to the project reference group, which CMAL says has representatives from Dunoon Community Council, Inverclyde Community Council, ‘Kilcreggan Community Council’, Argyll and Inverclyde Councillors and the naval base representatives.

Argyll and Bute Council has still not responded to CMAL’s invitation – made in February – to appoint a councillor to represent the Rosneath Peninsula in this group.

More information including a link to the survey is available here.

The current consultation is for the harbour upgrade project at Gourock ferry terminal only – CMAL says that community consultation exercises for the new vessels project and the harbour upgrades at Dunoon and Kilcreggan will be conducted separately ‘in due course’.