The cost of new ferries for Dunoon and Kilcreggan has almost doubled in two years, a CMAL document has revealed.
The revelation comes as political fallout continues from the saga of long delays and increased costs for two new ferries being built for CMAL (Caledonian Maritime Assets Ltd) at the Fergusons yard in Port Glasgow.
In 2020 Transport Scotland said in response to a Freedom of Information request that the cost of each of the long-awaited new ferries for the Dunoon route was ‘within the £5m estimate’ that had been approved by Scottish Ministers.
But last year a CMAL report said that the estimated total cost of the new boats – with three now planned to accommodate the Kilcreggan route as well – would be £21m, plus £275,000 for design work.
And now that figure has risen to £28m, as revealed in CMAL’s newly-published corporate plan.
The final design of the boats has not been confirmed yet, but a preferred option for the Dunoon vessels went to public consultation last December.
CMAL has refused to make the consultation results public.
Read more: call for all residents to be consulted on Kilcreggan Harbour plans
It is unclear whether the new Kilcreggan ferry would be a sister boat to the two Dunoon vessels, but this was proposed in meetings between CMAL, CalMac and Transport Scotland – even though it was stated that such a boat would be ‘over spec’ for Kilcreggan.
Meanwhile, CMAL and Argyll & Bute Council drew up plans to spend £9.3m – after an initial estimate of £1.1m – on a pontoon and breakwater in Kilcreggan to accommodate the new Dunoon vessels, which will act as cover on that route.
That plan has now been paused followed widespread criticism by community councillors and the public, who feared it would put Kilcreggan’s 125 year-old wooden pier at risk – a Facebook group formed to save the pier now has over 700 members.
A spokesperson from CMAL said: “In response to feedback from our stakeholder and community engagement programme, the design and scope of the vessels has changed to ensure the greatest level of resilience for the route.
“The updated cost reflects increased global prices, increased concept design scope, and an allowance for shipyard supervision and capital spares, which wasn’t incorporated into earlier estimates.”
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