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A "crucial
breakthrough" in efforts to
improve Calmac service.
Allan Speaks
After Meeting Between Cumbrae Ferry Users
Committee and Minister for Transport, Nicol Stephen.
 Allan
Wilson MSP has welcomed "a crucial breakthrough" in efforts to improve the
Calmac service between Largs and Cumbrae.
He was a speaking after a meeting organised by him at the Scottish
Parliament with the Cumbrae Ferry Users Committee and Minister for
Transport, Nicol Stephen.
Mr Wilson - who is also Enterprise Minister in the Scottish Executive -
said: " The proposal by Calmac to introduce a half
hourly service to the island in winter is extremely good news. This is a key
demand that I have been working with people on Cumbrae to deliver.
"Equally, the additional late sailings and in particular, the half hour
extension of the timetable will give a real boost to the island, making it a
lot more convenient to live and do business there.
"I will continue to talk to Nicol Stephen about further improvements to the
timetable which could be included in the service specification in the event
of the Scottish Executive being required to put services out to tender.
"The economic case for a further extension to the timetable is paramount if
Cumbrae is to compete with other Clyde Coast commuter destinations for
people who want to work in Glasgow but live in a different kind of
environment," said Mr Wilson.
"I was also pleased the Minister agreed to my request to re-examine the case
for providing an emergency out of hours ferry service in preference to the
existing air ambulance service. This is welcome recognition of the
difficulties being experienced in delivering reliable emergency healthcare
provision" said Mr Wilson.
He said that the meeting had been a valuable opportunity to stress the
importance of the Calmac service to Cumbrae's future prospects and gave the
Ferry Users Committee an opportunity for a face to face meeting with the
Minister on the crucial issue of future tender specifications, which would
shape the island's ferry service for years to come.
"Allied to the announcement last December of a new £5.8m vessel for the
route and further grant aided investment in the pier infrastructure and new
passenger facilities on Cumbrae, this is all good news for my Cumbrae
constituents. They are
going to be among the first to benefit from the Scottish Executive's
commitment to improving lifeline ferry services to island communities served
by the Calmac network" concluded Mr Wilson.
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