Gourock to Dunoon Ferry Service
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Minutes:
The Forum considered an update from Ruairidh
Campbell, CMAL, on the Gourock/Dunoon/Kilcreggan ferry services. He advised
that since the last meeting a consultation exercise for the Dunoon Concept
vessel had been undertaken. Mr Campbell confirmed that the feedback had been
taken into account and that the information on the website had been
updated. There had been no announcement
on the preferred vessels as yet. He advised that Transport Scotland were
currently reviewing the outline business case for the two vessels for the
Gourock/Dunoon ferry service. Transport Scotland had confirmed that due to the
volume of work there would be an anticipated delay of approximately two months
but design work was continuing and would be completed as far as possible. Councillor Reid asked if it was likely that
this delay would affect the delivery of the vessel and he was advised that it
was unlikely.
Alistair McLundie
referred to the 250 passenger capacity of the vessel and asked why this was the
case as between June 2011 and March 2020, 99% of sailings had less than 100
passengers. He was advised that the
capacity of the vessel was due to the size of the vessel required for the wave
height and weather conditions it was likely to encounter, not passenger
demand. Councillor Reid asked why a
vessel of that size could not be used for vehicles, as this would reduce costs
as a consequence of the income generated.
Mr Campbell advised that the fact that the vessel was passenger only had
been set down in guidance from Transport Scotland and that he would take
Councillor Reid’s comments back to them.
Outcome
The Forum –
1.
Noted the update.
2. Noted
that Mr Campbell would make contact with Transport Scotland regarding the suggestion
from Councillor Reid about vehicles on the ferry as a source of income.
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Minutes:
The Forum considered an update from Ruairidh Campbell, CMAL, on the Gourock/Dunoon/Kilcreggan infrastructure and concept vessels. The Forum
noted that a public consultation exercise on the Dunoon Concept vessel was due
to commence in late November and would run through December 2021. The Group
further noted that a revised project Q&A document will be made available on
their website to reflect feedback received during the Gourock Masterplan Public
Consultation.
Outcome
The Forum noted the update.
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Gourock to Dunoon Ferry Service
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Minutes:
The Forum noted the update below from Ruairidh Campbell, Harbour and Engineering Liaison Manager,
Caledonian Maritime Assets Ltd (CMAL) on the Dunoon Concept Vessel and Gourock Masterplan noting both of which would be subject of
upcoming public consultations.
Dunoon Concept Vessel
The project team are currently carrying out
additional scoping works associated with vessel hull form options to validate
the outline vessel characteristics discussed with the Reference Group 28th
May. Once this additional work is
complete, the Working Group will progress with a two vessel hull form option
and then make recommendations on a preferred platform. This work to be
presented along with the supporting data to the Reference group in late
September/October. This Reference Group session will also feature a Q&A
session as before. Thereafter, Public Consultation will be scheduled for late
Autumn this year.
Gourock Masterplan
The project team have updated and selected a
preferred option in-line with Reference Group feedback received on 28th May.
The team are currently finalising their presentation and aim to go out for
Public Consultation end of August.
Kilcreggan Concept Vessel
This became part of this programme of works a year
after the Gourock-Dunoon project was initiated.
Policy and scoping works are on-going. The Kilcreggan concept vessel design
will follow on after the Dunoon Concept Vessel design has been completed.
Kilcreggan Infrastructure
Outline options have been worked up for Kilcreggan
and presented to the Working Group. This has allowed for interoperability and
vessel and infrastructure operational aspects to be considered. Further development
will be taken forward once the Gourock Public
Consultation has been completed and the Kilcreggan concept vessel progressed.
Outcome
The Forum noted the position.
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Minutes:
The Forum considered the update from Caledonian Maritime Assets Ltd (CalMac).
Discussion focused on what work has been done by the
tripartite regarding the modelling of
predicted service levels and the Forum noted that CalMac,
as the operator, provided data from last 10 years to Transport Scotland and
that the demand for the routes was to be
discussed at Reference Group meeting on 28 May 2021.
Outcome
The Forum noted the update and agreed to continue the item.
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Additional documents:
Minutes:
The Reference Group circulated an update to Forum along with a copy of the Outline Business Case as attached to the minute.
As there was no one present from the Ferries Division of Transport Scotland to speak to the issues so the Forum agreed to continue the item.
Outcome
The Forum noted the position and agreed to continue the item.
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Gourock to Dunoon Ferry Service
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Minutes:
As there was no one present from the Ferries Division of Transport Scotland to speak to the issues so the Forum agreed to continue the item.
Outcome
The Forum noted the position and agreed to continue the item.
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Additional documents:
Minutes:
The Forum were invited to note an update from Paul Wheelhouse MSP, Minister for Energy, Connectivity and the Islands, in response to the Chair’s email of 4 May 2020 regarding free ferry travel for young people living on the Cowal Peninsula as part of the proposed free bus travel scheme in Scotland for those aged under nineteen.
Discussion focused on the timetable of 5 years being too long a length of time to wait for a passenger ferry to be available given that the procurement process had already started and especially as businesses were already struggling as a result of covid-19.
As there was no one present from the Ferries Division of Transport Scotland to speak to the issues it was felt no progress could be made on the item in the absence of the decision makers.
Outcome
The Forum noted the position and agreed to continue the item.
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Additional documents:
Minutes:
The Forum were invited to consider an update from the Ferries Policy Officer on behalf of Paul Wheelhouse MSP, Minister for Energy, Connectivity and the Islands, in response to the Chair’s letter of 29 September 2019 regarding the Gourock to Dunoon ferry service.
Discussion focussed on the free travel pass for under 19 year olds not being applicable to ferries and the serviceable life of the linkspan.
Councillor Bobby Good updated the Forum on the decision of the Bute and Cowal Area Committee to write to Mike Russell and Paul Whitehouse (LINK) in relation to the Dunoon to Gourock ferry service.
Outcome
The Forum:
1. noted the update provided by the Ferries Policy Officer;
2. agreed to write to the Minister requesting clarification if the free bus scheme for under 19 year olds can be extended to all ferry services;
3. noted the infrastructure at Gourock had a lifespan of 40 years, was now 49 years old and that there was no planned replacement at this time; and
4. agreed to circulate the letters sent on behalf of the Bute and Cowal Area Committee to the Forum.
(Reference: Letter from Ferries Policy Officer dated 28 October 2019, submitted)
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