A CALL for public opinion on the CalMac ferry service from Dunoon to Gourock was made this week by Dunoon Community Council.
The appeal comes following DCC’s recent survey launch at the beginning of May, which aims to collate the views of residents, businesses, commuters and visitors to the Cowal Peninsula on the future of local ferry services.
A sense of frustration is building among members of DCC due to a relatively sparse response so far.
Transport lead for DCC, David Clough, explained: “To date, the response level is insufficient to demonstrate what the wider community think, which makes the Community Council’s job in representing views to Transport Scotland and Holyrood virtually impossible.
“We do appreciate that many are fed up with the passenger-only service and have voted with their cars to use Western Ferries. If this drift to Western Ferries continues, then the likelihood of the Gourock/Dunoon service disappearing altogether is not an unreasonable scenario.”
Issues with CalMac’s ferry service to Gourock are legion, and criticism has been levelled at the Scottish Government over the service’s uncertain future.
The survey has been developed to gather evidence on how the current service is being used, the issues people experience, and what potential future options the community believes should be explored.
David explained: “Not all of the options are necessarily feasible, but do cover most of the options put forward by the community on social media. There is a car ferry option through the current activity to undertake a Community Asset Transfer of the Dunoon linkspan to a private operator.
“For many people across Cowal and Inverclyde, ferry services are a vital lifeline connecting communities to employment, education, healthcare, tourism and wider transport links. Concerns around reliability, connectivity and long-term investment have been raised repeatedly over many years, and this survey aims to ensure local voices are properly heard.”
The survey includes questions on current usage of the CalMac service, reliability and connectivity concerns, potential future transport options, alternative ideas and solutions suggested by the public, and it asks for reasons why some people don’t or no longer use the service.
The survey also asks respondents to score a number of possible future options, ranging from maintaining the current arrangements through to more ambitious infrastructure proposals.
The results of the survey will help DCC and partner organisations demonstrate clear community opinion when engaging with Transport Scotland, CalMac, CMAL, Argyll and Bute Council, elected representatives and other transport stakeholders.
DCC’s ferry survey closes on August 1. The survey can be completed online at dunooncommunitycouncil.co.uk/community-surveys or by scanning the QR code.
Paper copies of the survey are also available in The Queen’s Hall reception, library and the Burgh Hall, and can be returned there or to the Job Centre reception.
