THE operators of the under-fire Kilcreggan ferry service ran up a bill for more than £34,000 in unpaid pier dues, according to details released under Freedom of Information.

Figures obtained by a member of the public, and passed to local MSP Jackie Baillie, show that Clydelink had an outstanding bill of £34,072 in unpaid berthing fees for the year up to June 2017.

Ms Baillie released the information ahead of a debate in the Scottish Parliament on Thursday aimed at putting pressure on SPT and the Scottish Government over the poor reliability of the ferry link with Gourock.

Ms Baillie said: "This is not the first time that Clydelink has short-changed communities in Helensburgh and Lomond. At a time when local services are under threat due to council budget cuts, it is sickening that Clydelink appears to have built up such a large bill over twelve months.

“Local passengers have put up with disruption on an unprecedented scale this year so the idea that Clydelink may have avoided paying its fair share of bills to the taxpayer rubs salt into the wounds.

“Clydelink have shown time and time again that they are not a fit and proper company to operate a reliable ferry service. It’s time the Scottish Government took control of the service and kicked Clydelink out once and for all.”

A spokesman for Argyll and Bute Council, which owns Kilcreggan pier, said: “We have met with representatives of Strathclyde Partnership for Transport (SPT) and there is now an agreement in place that fees will be paid directly to the council by SPT and an additional amount will be paid to clear the arrears.”

Clydelink were contacted for comment but had not replied by the time this article was published.