Encouraging P&O to stop at Campbeltown during summer

[Kintyre Forum News]

Received this e-mail from a viewer of the forum and thought it was worth sharing for possible discussion and support.

Good morning,

Although I live in Ayr I have always felt that Campbeltown was isolated by geography from the Central belt.

I know that, in days gone by, access to Ayr by steamer was easy with regular crossings, but today road transport to Glasgow is normal with a marathon journey in excess of three hours for major hospitals etc

I also appreciate that the experimental ferry crossing from Ballycastle was never viable, due to the volume of traffic needed to sustain such a dedicated service.

I feel that the best proposition is to encourage P & O to have a quick stop at Campbeltown on the Larne to Troon Seacat service. I understand the objections:

It is a Summer only service.
It would increase the two hour crossing to, say, two and a half hours.
We would need a dock for Seacat.

However, look at the benefits:

Tourists from Ireland or Europe travelling through Ireland could easily access the Highlands through the Mull of Kintyre.
Residents in Campbeltown could access Glasgow or the RAH in Paisley through Troon quickly by train(every 30 minutes).
Golfers visiting the Ayrshire courses could play in Macrahanish.

P & O would benefit;

More traffic on Route
Bigger income.

Above all Campbeltown and the Mull of Galloway would benefit

If the experiment was successful a larger version of Seacat allowing a twelve month service could be considered.

The relative outlay would be small. The difficulties would lie with persuading P & O and the Scottish Transport Minister Keith Brown, to give it their support.

Regards,