THE LONG awaited report on plans to reintroduce a ferry service from Campbeltown to Ballycastle is now on the desks of the relevant government ministers on both side of the North Channel.
Jim Mather MSP for Argyll and Bute told The Courier that the decision on a future service probably could be expected to be made in the latter part of September.
Alan Reid MP told the Kintyre Initiative Working Group on Friday when the ferry report was on the agenda: ‘The concern I have is that this [report] was drawn up while Vestas was still working and before the credit crunch started. There is now less slack in the economy.
‘The Scottish Government does need to act quickly if its going to get the ferry up and running next year; Tourist brochures are going out now.’
Mr Reid and Highlands and Islands list MSP Jamie McGrigor both said they would write to the Scottish Government saying that the ferry was now more important than ever before.
‘Also, if Ballycastle and Northern Ireland say they have a difficulty then we still look at it in terms of a ferry to somewhere else if necessary,’ said Mr McGrigor, ‘we have got to keep the pressure on.’
Mr Reid said after the meeting: ‘Campbeltown has a lot to offer – a purpose built factory, deep water facilities and above all, a highly skilled and motivated workforce. ‘Scottish Government must take ferry links to Northern Ireland and Ayrshire up and running as soon as possible and to upgrade the A83, instead of slashing spending on repairs to it as they did recently.’
At Friday’s working group meeting the chairman, Councillor John Semple said that one of the attractions for Vestas to Campbeltown in the first place was the ferry.
Alison Younger, area corporate services manager for Argyll and Bute Council said of starting the new service: ‘We have to fulfil European tendering requirements,’ and she added, ‘People have very, very, much said they don’t want the Claymore.’
Councillor John Semple asked about vessel availability.
Ian Macintyre of Tarbert and Skipness Community Council said: ‘The government owns a ferry company but CalMac doesn’t seem to come into the equation.’
Earlier this year First Minister Alex Salmond and the Northern Ireland First Minister and signed an agreement which it was hoped will lead to the revival of the ferry service.
