£28m new plans for new Kilcreggan and Dunoon ferries should go back to the drawing board, a councillor has suggested.
And an MSP has said it is ‘extremely concerning’ that survey responses from the Rosneath Peninsula were not taken into account, after raising the spiralling cost of the new vessels at Holyrood.
Last week it was revealed here that Caledonian Maritime Assets Ltd (CMAL) tried to keep secret the results of a public survey which closed in January.
After the intervention of the Scottish freedom of Information commissioner, some of the results have now been revealed – they show that survey 55% did not agree with the recommendations and only 41% were satisfied with the features of the recommended vessel.
Responses from Kilcreggan ferry users were removed from the results, despite the survey being open to ‘all interested individuals who travel via the Dunoon passenger vessels or have an alternative interest in the project’.
CMAL still maintains that some of the survey results should not be released, and an investigation by the FOI commissioner’s office is ongoing.
Cllr Mark Irvine, who lives in Kilcreggan, said it was ‘disappointing’ that the survey had been heavily redacted.
“Given that the limited responses seem to indicate a less than positive view from the majority of those interviewed perhaps it is a case of back to the drawing board?” he said.
“It is imperative that we avoid another ferry ‘disaster’ whilst we are in the midst of such a global economic maelstrom.
“The services affected are vital for our connectivity and the local economy. Kilcreggan, Dunoon and Gourock need investment in berthing facilities and a reliable and future-proofed fleet of vessels, that much is clear.
“But the results of this consultation are less than optimal and do little to reassure me that we are any closer to a ‘best value for money’ outcome.”
Two new ferries are planned for Dunoon and one for Kilcreggan, and CMAL’s social media stated that the 40-metre vessels would serve both routes.
Last month it was revealed here that the total cost of the vessels had almost doubled in two years, to £28m.
Cllr Irvine added: “Given the recent announcement that the Scottish Government is staring down the barrel of a potential £2.1bn budget deficit and that double digit inflation is looming ever nearer, perhaps we should be thinking about chucking out the anchor until the seas are less stormy?
“With only eight passengers surveyed on the Kilcreggan route, we certainly need to see a much broader engagement process if we are to be able to represent the views of the ferry users locally who depend on the service for their livelihoods, not to mention the many businesses on both sides of the crossing that rely on the trickle-down to the local economy.”
There were fears for the future Kilcreggan’s 125 year-old pier when plans to spend £9.3m on a new pontoon and breakwater were announced earlier this year.
Council and CMAL officials agreed to look at adapting the pier instead after a backlash from the public and community councillors, and said they would contact Historic Environment Scotland as it is B-listed.
A public consultation after the May 5 elections was promised.
MSP Jackie Baillie, whose Dumbarton constituency includes the Rosneath Peninsula, said: “It is extremely concerning that survey responses, which were initially withheld, show that the views of people in Kilcreggan and the surrounding area are not being properly taken into account.
“The design of the Dunoon vessel has driven the development of Kilcreggan Harbour, which is causing concern to local people worried about the impact of this large-scale project. This directly affects them and their views must be considered.
“The problems with ferry contracts in general have been well documented but now it emerges that the bill for three new ferries servicing Dunoon to Kilcreggan is £9m each, far more than the £5m estimated cost Ministers were working to in 2019.
“There needs to be greater transparency when decisions are being taken on multi-million pounds of public money and the people who are impacted by this aren’t being fully consulted. It is embarrassing that the Scottish Government cannot be trusted with ferry projects without them running hugely over budget and over time.”
After the latest cost increase for the new vessels was revealed, Ms Baillie raised the issue in the Scottish Parliament with Minister for Transport Jenny Gilruth.
She was told that the running costs of the Kilcreggan and Dunoon ferries were not available, as the subsidy was paid to CalMac for the entire Clyde and Hebrides network and could not be broken down for individual routes.
A second question led to Ms Gilruth saying that the cost of the new boats was approximately £9m apiece, adding: “This is subject to the conclusion of the business case process, review of designs and specifications and further consideration of shipbuilding market conditions.”
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