ARRAN FERRY SERVICE

That this House notes with concern the bid from Associated British Ports at Troon to take over the Isle of Arran ferry service from Ardrossan Harbour; further notes that Ardrossan has been the Ayrshire mainland port for Arran for 182 years; understands that Troon does not have its own harbour railway station and that Troon is 18 nautical miles from Arran, while Ardrossan is 12 miles, so sailing from Troon would increase both journey times and ferry prices for service users, making it less attractive to visit the island while reducing the daily sailings, impacting on capacity and growth in Arran's economy; acknowledges the Scottish Government's establishing of the Ardrossan Harbour Taskforce in February 2016, to improve the operation of the harbour through significant investment; considers that the Scottish Government has improved island ferry services through the introduction of road equivalent tariff, leading to huge reductions in ferry fares to and from the Isle of Arran, increased summer sailings, the new £12.3 million MV Catriona, a new £47 million ferry being built at Port Glasgow, which will be better able to sail in severe weather conditions, and the £28 million upgrade in Brodick Harbour; further understands that 165 jobs are directly dependent on the route remaining in Ardrossan; urges Peel Ports to be more cooperative in negotiations with the Scottish Government regarding potential investment; welcomes Scottish Government statements that Ardrossan remains its priority and is confident that the Arran ferry service will continue to be run to and from Ardrossan Harbour.