Arran Banner Leader: Now is the winter of our discontent

Akin to waiting for the executioner’s axe to fall, Arran residents were on tenterhooks this week waiting on a CalMac announcement on its plans for the ferry service this winter.

After numerous warnings of a “difficult winter” and watching the service deteriorate across the network, it was clear difficult decisions needed to be made and that the axe needed to fall somewhere.

We were well past wondering if the news would be good or bad – the question was just how bad it would be and for whom?

Capacity on the route is already dramatically diminished, ferries break down frequently, sailings are cancelled at the drop of a hat and well-overdue vessels are not coming to save us.

The situation remains dire but as CalMac, CMAL and the Scottish Government have demonstrated, it can always get worse.

The unreliable ferry service has been devastating for Arran residents who have missed funerals, weddings, births and life-saving medical appointments. Now, with the publication of CalMac’s winter plan – an Arran stay of execution of sorts – we know we will retain both vessels on the Arran route, and the status quo will continue this winter.