Glasgow And Ships Of The Clyde

Suggestion that Clyde Steamer fleet be subsidised

From "The Ardrossan & Saltcoats Herald" dated 24th July 1964

SHOULD CLYDE FLEET BE SUBSIDISED ?

Suggestion at Inquiry

A suggestion that the Government should consider subsidising the Clyde steamer services which the Caledonian Steam Packet Company are unable to operate economically was made last Thursday in Glasgow by Mr. R.S. Johnston, Q.C.

Mr. Johnston was appearing for Glasgow Corporation and for a number of county, town and district councils in the Firth of Clyde area at a sitting of the Transport User's Consultative Committee.

OBJECTIONS

The committee, under Sir John Greig Dunbar, were hearing objections to the proposal of the Caledonian Steam Packet Company to withdraw steamer services between Gourock and Kilcreggan, Blairmore, and Hunter's Quay throughout the year, and services between Gourock and Craigendoran in the winter.

Mr. Johnston suggested that "if the Caledonian Steam Packet Company are unable to operate their services economically, then, having regard to the importance of the tourist industry, this is a matter which ought to be considered by the Government for subsidy in accordance with the provisions applicable to other parts of Scotland."

Objections were also heard to proposals by the company to withdraw daily excursion sailings from Ayr and Troon (with the exception of Friday sailings) and to reduce sailings between Gourock, Lochranza, and Campbeltown, between Gourock and Inverary, and between Glasgow (Bridge Wharf) and Tighnabruaich.

In reply to Mr. John H. McCluskey, advocate, who appeared for the burgh of Cove and Kilcreggan, Mr. A. Stewart, general manager of the Caledonian Steam Packet Company, said that the steamer services made a loss of ?43,000 in 1963.

M.P.'s VIEWS

On the proposed withdrawal of excursion sailings Mr. A. C. Manuel, M.P. for Central Ayrshire, said this would have a serious effect on local economy.
Substantial hardship would result because of the importance of the tourist and holiday industries. The rail facilities meant a very roundabout journey and many people would be forced to go by road, where there were already far too many accidents because of congestion.

Mr. Donald A. McIntyre, Port Bannatyne, a member of Bute County Council, spoke of the need to improve pierhead car parks. The local authorities felt, he said, that if the Caledonian Steam Packet Company made provision for car parking the crowds would return to the steamers to get off the roads for a spell. There was an earnest desire by many people to sail, but they had the utmost difficulty in finding car-parking space at pierheads.

Mr. Stewart said they had 12 ships lying idle every winter, a situation which was "quite criminal." They were endeavouring to rationalise their services and they felt they were doing this in a modest way.

When a member of the committee described the steamer fares as "fantastically cheap" and asked why they were not increased, Mr. Stewart replied : "Whenever we have attempted to put up fares on the Clyde we have run into the greatest of storms."