Transport bosses urged to 'step up to the plate' over ferry service

Jackie Baillie: The MSP has criticised SPT.

Strathclyde Passenger for Transport (SPT) has been urged to "step up to the plate" and provide a safe and reliable ferry service on the beleaguered Gourock to Kilcreggan crossing.

Bosses at the transport company met with MSP Jackie Baillie, MSP Duncan McNeil and local ferry users on Wednesday to discuss the problems that the crossing has faced.

At the meeting Ms Baillie criticised SPT for failing to offer an immediate solution when ferry passenger numbers were reduced last week because the skipper was not qualified.

The ferry route has been operated by Clydelink since the start of April after it was awarded the contract by SPT.

Last week it emerged that the skipper of the ferry was not qualified to operate the boat as a passenger vessel – despite doing so for seven weeks.

The Marine and Coastguard Agency (MCA) stepped in and the ferry was reduced to a 12-person crossing despite having the capacity for 78.

The ferry is now back up to full capacity but Ms Baillie says that questions still remain over the safety and reliability of the service.

And she said that SPT should at least issue penalties to the ferry operator.

She added: "A lot of important issues were discussed at this meeting, but there is still some way to go before a proper solution is found. The key concerns that remain are about safety and reliability and I will be pushing SPT for further reassurances in this regard.

"SPT assured us that Clydelink will shortly be providing a replacement vessel to replace the Island Princess when it is out of service or undergoing upgrade works. They also indicated that they would be looking to provide pontoons, given the difficulties with berthing.

"Whilst this is welcome, it is essential that SPT discuss with the Maritime Coastguard Agency the question of safety certification for the pilot and crew, and monitoring of sailings, where the vessel has departed with the use of only one engine.

"Clydelink is clearly in breach of contract and I would expect SPT, at the very least, to issue penalties, and if the service does not make an immediate improvement, to find a replacement operator.

"I am clear that SPT don’t want to run a ferry service and would prefer that this should transfer to Transport Scotland. Until that happens, they have a duty of care and they need to step up to the plate and provide my constituents with a safe and reliable service."

Audit Scotland has also taken the first step into investigating the ferry service.

And MCA have said that their enforcement department are aware of the situation that took place and are looking into it.

An SPT spokeswoman said: "It is very disappointing that our constructive meeting held on Wednesday has been misrepresented in this way.

"SPT has indeed offered a way forward and reassured all those in attendance that measures were in place to improve the situation.

"Contractual action in the form of penalties has already been taken by SPT against the operator in relation to service disruptions.

"It is true that SPT has previously responded to the Scottish Government Ferries Review that we believe that the Gourock-Kilcreggan service should be under the control of Transport Scotland as they are responsible for other ferry services in the area.

"SPT also outlined at the meeting that Argyll and Bute Council have commissioned a feasibility study for pontoons at Dunoon, Gourock and Kilcreggan which would improve the berthing arrangements and allow for ease of access for disabled passengers."

Related articles

People who read this story also read