PREVIOUS work on ferry services linking Gourock, Dunoon and Kilcreggan is expected to remain relevant, despite a setback to a project on their future.
A councillor expressed concern that the initiative would be completely re-appraised after a report revealed that hydrofoil-type vehicles were delayed arriving elsewhere in the UK.
Performance data from those vessels would have been used to provide live operational information relevant to the Clyde, but may not now be available until next year.
An Argyll and Bute Council official reported that work on a business case was continuing between Transport Scotland and CMAL for the future of the ferry services, with plans to publish in the summer.
Infrastructure project planning will also now be resumed, with council officials reviewing plans with CMAL.
Councillor Maurice Corry (Conservative, Lomond North) raised the matter at a meeting of the Argyll and Bute harbour board on Thursday, March 19.
In advance of the meeting, Argyll and Bute Council executive director Kirsty Flanagan said in a report: “Members may remember that plans for new vessels to serve the Gourock, Dunoon and Kilcreggan routes were paused by Transport Scotland in 2023.
“As part of the project, the working group had planned to review performance data from new hydrofoil-type vessels being introduced elsewhere in the UK. These vessels were expected to be in service in early 2026, providing live operational information relevant to the Clyde.
“However, the delivery of these vessels has been delayed, meaning performance data will not be available until late 2026 or early 2027.
“This has impacted the timing of the full analysis of vessel alternatives, though work on the business case will now continue.
“Officers have now received confirmation that Transport Scotland and CMAL are preparing the outline business case for the future of these ferry services with plans to publish in summer 2026.
“The council and CMAL will now restart the infrastructure project planning that was paused prior to ground investigations taking place. Officers will review plans with CMAL and provide future updates as these project progress.”
Councillor Corry said: “Are we talking about a complete re-appraisal of this project, because I understand from local community councils that they have been through the plan?”
Scott Reid, the council’s marine operations manager, responded: “We will be using the previous works as much as we possibly can, but I doubt there will be too much difference with where we got before the programme was put on hold.
“They identified a vessel type, but were looking to explore a different type, so now that route has closed, or is delayed, they want to move on from that. I think a reasonable position will be to revert to the works already done.”
Councillor Corry then asked: “Have you got a date for when we might see a new service in place for the three ports, if the Scottish Government gets all its capital expenditure in place, and the infrastructure in place?”
Mr Reid said: “All I can say is we will imminently be starting up working groups and councillors will have the opportunity to ask questions of the designs of vessels.”
