Community Engagement Feedback

Gourock - Kilcreggan

Officials from Transport Scotland, CalMac, Caledonian Maritime Assets Ltd (CMAL) and Argyll and Bute Council held a drop-in style engagement session at Cove Burgh Hall on 1 October. The event was well attended and significant feedback was received. Feedback has been summarised below.

Key Themes

Accessibility

A key discussion point that came from the session in Kilcreggan was accessibility which was also witnessed by the officials who used the Gourock-Kilcreggan sailing to attend the event.

Embarking and disembarking MV Chieftain is restricted to the top deck, which is uncovered. A steep staircase leads to the sheltered seating area and toilet, making use of both difficult, if not impossible, during the sailing for wheelchair users or those with other mobility needs.

A steel, stepped, gangway is deployed from the vessel onto the pier. The ramp is narrow and does not allow easy access for wheelchairs and many prams/buggies to get on and off the vessel. Dependent on the tide, the ramp can be at a steep angle, making access difficult for some users.

The existing Victorian pier does not allow for easy access to the current vessel, and new infrastructure is required. It was noted that the local community do not particularly want to lose their existing pier, and suggestions were made for a new pier to be constructed at Fort Road.

Attendees also highlighted that the community council was working on a local development plan.

Sailing Times

The time of the last sailing of the day was another topic that was widely discussed at the event, with the last sailing leaving Gourock at 18:18 Monday-Saturday and leaving Kilcreggan at 18:36. This does not leave villagers with many options for commuter travel to/from Glasgow or beyond, with the bus via Helensburgh a lengthy alternative.

This was also highlighted as a concern for healthcare appointments and leisure or social commitments that may run over time.

Sunday Sailings

There was a lot of enthusiasm among attendees around the option set out in the CNA report of bringing back a Sunday service, which was previously trialled but did not proceed. This was thought by the community to be something that would be worthwhile if the service was not too limited in time spread. However, it was advised that while this may be something that can be investigated, it may not be achievable or involve a restricted timetable due to crewing constraints.

“Triangular” Route and Helensburgh Service

Some attendees were keen to investigate the triangular route option further, and comments were made around this opening up communities to more growth, particularly if a Kilcreggan-Dunoon link could be established. This “triangular” option set out in the CNA report was also welcomed if it brought later sailings between the three points. Attendees also noted that a Kilcreggan-Helensburgh ferry service would be welcomed, with an idea also presented around linking further communities on both sides of the Clyde.

Parking Issues

Attendees raised concerns about the lack of parking in the village, particularly around the pier location, and how the car park would be filled for much of the day by ferry users.

Reliability

While reliability was not one of the major concerns in the village, there were some comments made about ferry cancellations due to adverse weather on one side or the other of the crossing. Although it was noted that this was likely inevitable until upgrades to pier facilities or replacement vessels came into force. It was noted that the service had improved since CalMac took over.

Gourock - Dunoon

Officials from Transport Scotland, CalMac, Caledonian Maritime Assets Ltd (CMAL) and Argyll and Bute Council held a drop-in style engagement session at Queens Hall in Dunoon 2 October and Gamble Halls in Gourock on 3 October. The event in Dunoon was very well attended and significant feedback was received. The key concerns noted by the local community are covered below.

Key Themes

Reliability

Reliability on the Gourock-Dunoon route was one of the most heard concerns among attendees in both Dunoon and Gourock. The age of the ferries caused concern, as well as the fact that Western Ferries continued sailings in almost all weathers. A lot of attendees mentioned that reliability concerns, and confidence in the service, were the main barriers to more frequent use of the ferry. It was raised that reliable ferries were required to ensure success of the Dunoon Project, a project set up to revive tourism in the area.

Connecting Travel

The Dunoon-Gourock route is a town-centre to town-centre route, with connectivity being a key factor for users choosing the passenger ferry service. It was said numerous times at the events that the trains and buses no longer link up with the ferry times, and there are increasing wait times between connecting services. (Note that the engagement took place before the most recent change to ferry timetables to address rail connectivity; consultation by CalMac on this was being finalised at the time.) The ferry alternative to the CalMac service is a further out sailing via Western Ferries, and many people highlighted that it was not as easy to get to/from the Hunter’s Quay and McInroy’s Point ferry terminals via public transport. It was also noted that when certain CalMac sailings are cancelled due to the route being operated by a single vessel, it appears to be the “wrong” sailing cancelled for onward connecting bus travel in Dunoon. Suggestions were also made that updates/cancellations could be highlighted at rail stations or near bus stops.

Timetable Changes

It was highlighted that timetable changes are not communicated effectively, particularly for older ferry users who are not as confident online. Participants felt that changes to timetables are not communicated with rail/bus services, thus leading to increased waiting and journey times for users.

Fares

Ticket prices for the Gourock-Dunoon route was a key issue for local ferry users, who were concerned that Road-Equivalent Tariff (RET) had not been introduced on to the route despite it being applied to most other CalMac services. The higher price of CalMac tickets compared to Western Ferries tickets was also noted following the withdrawal of certain multi-journey tickets.

Participants also highlighted that when 10 journey tickets were purchased, these would often expire due to not being checked when boarding the ferry. People also raised concerns that the passenger figures noted in the CNA report were not accurate because of tickets not being checked, however it was confirmed by CalMac that passenger figures recorded in the report are based on manual passenger headcounts carried out by crew. A shoreside ticketing service would be supported to ensure everyone was paying for their journeys.

Accessibility

Accessibility at both Gourock and Dunoon ports was raised as a concern by attendees. It was felt that both port and vessel improvements were required to bring a more reliable and accessible service.

Options presented and lack of trust

People attending the events felt that some of the options noted in the Community Needs Assessment report, while plausible, would not be the answer to a service they would consider using, and trust in, more until the infrastructure and vessels were replaced. They feel they have been promised improvements time and time again, yet continue to receive an unreliable, and expensive, service. Attendees at the event noted that a slightly reduced frequency of sailings would be acceptable, although not at peak times, if reliability in the service was significantly improved.