Glasgow And Ships Of The Clyde

Ardrossan Town is not "selfish" over the Arran ferry service

7th February 1972

ARDROSSAN NOT ?SELFISH? ABOUT FERRY SERVICE

Ardrossan Town Council were not adopting a selfish attitude towards the ferry services to and from Arran, but were concerned to help provide better facilities for a service which has operated from the town for more than a hundred years.

This was stated at the council meeting on Monday when members reported on the meeting last month between the council, Arran District Council the Harbour Company, and the Caledonian Steam Packet Company.

Baillie William Currie said that the ferry had successfully sailed for 96% of the scheduled services, and in any island service it was probably impossible to secure 100% success because of stormy weather.

DECISION

The decision on whether to sail in stormy weather was the sole responsibility of the captain of the ship, but anything that could be done to improve facilities at Ardrossan Harbour would be welcomed.

The Baillie added that there had been complaints that intending passengers had not been fully informed at stations and pier when sailings were cancelled or altered, and the general manager of the Steam Packet Company Mr John D Whittle, had given an assurance that the communication of such announcements would be improved.

Treasurer D. McMillan referred to the reported remarks last week of the chairman of West Kilbride District Council Mr Donald Robertson, who said that Ardrossan were thinking only of themselves. Mr Robertson was expressing his concern that there are now no scheduled sailings from Fairlie Pier.

?SELFISH?

?Mr Robertson appears to think that we are adopting a selfish attitude?, said Treasurer McMillan, ?but we are elected by the people to represent Ardrossan. Fairlie and West Kilbride had their day - they had the opportunity to develop these places and turned it down. Of course we?re trying to do our best for our town?.

Provost J. McManus: ?Yes we?re trying to hold on to something we?ve had for over a hundred years. As you say, we?re elected to do our best for Ardrossan.

NO SAILINGS

It was confirmed in a letter to Fairlie Citizens? Association from the Caledonian Steam Packet Company this week that there will be no sailings from Fairlie Pier this summer and that it is not envisaged that there will be any regular sailings in the future.

Mr Donald Robertson, chairman of West Kilbride District Council, who expressed the view last week that the loss of the ferry service would be a serious blow to the village and would leave Fairlie without a tourist attraction, said yesterday that he did not know if the district council could do anything about the matter.

Mr Tom Hutchison, Chairman of the Citizens? Association, said it could now be expected that the pier railway station would also be closed.

Scribe Tango