Burgh ferry service under threat

Published 19 Jan 2012 09:30

THE possible scrapping of a Helensburgh ferry service is a tourism blow to the town, it has been claimed.

The Helensburgh stop of the Gourock to Kilcreggan service is to be scrapped following a proposed change of service contract.

At present, Clyde Marine Motoring run the service, but Strathclyde Partnership for Transport (SPT) want to award the next contract to Clydelink Ltd, when existing contract ends on April 1 2012.

According to SPT, passengers are mainly workers from Faslane and Coulport travelling between Gourock and Kilcreggan on weekdays. SPT also say there are low passenger numbers on Helensburgh sailings.

Helensburgh Councillor Al Reay, depute spokesperson for transport and infrastructure, and Councillor Danny Kelly said they are both extremely disappointed, especially as the plans follow discussions they have previously had with SPT over the issue.

Mr Reay said: "I stressed the importance that Helensburgh must remain within the link and I also said we were about to spend £6.6m on the CHORD project and that this is an important element of the infrastructure.

"The long-term impact is bad news because we are trying to re-develop the town and pier site and trying to attract the cruise liners to come in and we see ourselves as the gateway to the Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park and Hill House so if we lose this element of tourism it is very bad news."

The council's spokesperson for transport and infrastructure, Councillor Duncan MacIntyre, said: "In previous discussions we have asked SPT to revisit this proposal, so we are naturally extremely disappointed that the recommendation is to stop the ferry link to Helensburgh.

"The route may not be as heavily used as others, but it is a lifeline to some of those who do use it and the impact on those people will be significant."

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This article appeared in Helensburgh Advertiser 19 Jan 12

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