MSP Jamie Greene describes ferry woes as “unbearable for islanders”

Mr Greene’s comments came after CalMac announced that the MV Caledonian Isles would not return last week as previously scheduled and that it has now been removed from service until at least March 7.

The issue has also been compounded by the closure of the Irish berth at Ardrossan which resulted in the leased ferry, MV Alfred, being removed from service on the Arran route. In addition to this, MV Isle of Arran suffered a breakdown last week which meant Arran was left without any ferry service, albeit during inclement weather which may have seen the service cancelled owing to high winds.

Jamie Greene said the problems were the result of an ageing fleet combined with “catastrophic under-investment” in vessels, ports, and fleet resilience.

He also noted that Caledonian Isles is 30 years old and that Isle of Arran is 40 years old, both surpassing the general life expectancy of vessels which is between 25 to 30 years.

The MSP said it was “no wonder” the vessels experience regular breakdowns, and that the “West coast of Scotland deserves much better than this daily saga”.

Mr Greene said: “This is yet another episode in the ferry saga, which has now become unbearable for islanders.

“Whilst the weather has played its part, these latest problems could have been avoided if the SNP had chosen to properly fund and invest in life-line ferry services.

“Islanders have been clear: this cannot go on. These ferry’s provide islanders with the means to work, travel, and trade, and without them Arran’s economy and the people who support it will lose out.

“The SNP must take responsibility for this and work urgently to get regular ferry services back up and running.”