Mike MacKenzie MSP for Highlands and Islands has agreed to meet and discuss with us the issues and opportunities that would come from a Campbeltown to Ayrshire ferry service as proposed in the Scottish Governments Ferries Review in order that he may feed these back to the Minister for Transport, Keith Brown.
I have secured a meeting room at the Seafield Hotel, Kilkerran Road, Campbeltown, Monday the 20th of February at 5.30pm. a good turnout from Kintyre Businesses would be beneficial in order to state the case.
I welcome the submission to the consultation made by Wind Towers Ltd. -
“To this end we have taken part in the survey and added the following comments:
Any ferry service between Campbeltown and Troon would be most welcome. However, Wind Towers Limited believe that a town of the size and importance of Campbeltown and the outlying communities deserve a 5-7 day service at least. Any vessel should be capable of taking some of the commercial traffic off the A83. If such a services were available the economic benefits for the areas would be significant and business & job opportunities in the area would be improved greatly.”
You can also hear me discuss the ferry proposal with Euan MacIlwraith on BBC Radio Scotland’s “Out of Doors” I think its this weekend.
Details of the consultation regarding this proposal can be found following Scottish Government link on sections 135 – 140.
http://www.transportscotland.gov.uk/str ... #ch4para34 Specifically the proposal is - a service operating between Kintyre, via Arran to Ardrossan (or Troon). The service would operate one or two days per week and allow for a meaningful day return trip to the Scottish mainland.
The community is asked for their views on the following proposals:
• To retain the Kintyre to Portavadie service as is;
• Whether a vehicle service as described between Campbeltown and the Scottish mainland (for example Troon) would be well used.
My own view is that 2 days will not be sufficient to maximise commercial benefit but it’s a starting point, however going via Arran may not satisfy commercial interests in a faster crossing to the mainland.
From previous campaigns with the Dalriada Business Action Group I know that getting a good response from commercial interests is essential to persuading government to take notice. You can help by filling in the short survey, it will only take 5 minutes. The closing date is the 30th March.
http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/QZ25CFT