CAMPAIGNERS bidding to retain one of Scotland's busiest ferry links have unveiled plans for a new £15million terminal should controversial plans to relocate the service be abandoned.
The impressions of the ferry, road and rail terminal at Ardrossan Harbour lay out how the port would look for the new £48.5 million hybrid vessel due to start operating on the route to Arran by 2018.
In addition to a new 'Maritime Hub' building, it is proposed that the development by harbour owners Peel Ports and North Ayrshire Council would provide a new linkspan for vehicles to board the ferry, a new 'passenger access system' and improved car parking facilities.
The release of the images is the latest instalment in a fraught, and at times farcical, battle for where the popular and historic service to Brodick should depart from.
Ardrossan is campaigning to retain the 180-year-old service amid attempts by Associated British Ports (ABP) to shift it to Troon, around 15 miles further south.
APB recently lost a service to Northern Ireland from the affluent South Ayrshire town and has promised to invest £8m if the Arran service is transferred to the mothballed Troon port.
The Ardrossan campaigners have cited support from within the island's communities and businesses for the shorter link and claimed it would cost the public purse almost £130m over the 30 year contract were it to move.
They have also claimed their rival's plans are not as advanced as their own and could be at least a year behind their own.
For its part ABP has continually insisted Troon is a more reliable port and more resilient to adverse weather conditions. It has dismissed as "fake news" claims by the Ardrossan supporters and even installed a webcam at Troon harbour to prove its weather statements.
Government agency Transport Scotland is due to make its decision within weeks, with a major new vessel operated by Cal Mac coming online within the year.
North Ayrshire Council leader Joe Cullinane said: “Seeing the vision of an Ardrossan of the future, brought to life in full colour like this, is really exciting.
“The redevelopment of the old passenger terminal into the vibrant welcoming space of the new Maritime Hub will not only be a welcoming environment for travellers, it will offer local businesses the space to showcase their products and will also act as a meeting place for the whole community of Ardrossan.
“What’s even better is that this development would also be the catalyst for a much bigger regeneration of the town, with a further £100m of investment planned for the wider area to deliver additional marina expansion, a new hotel and housing development.
Doug Coleman, Peel Ports’ project director for Ardrossan Harbour, said: “We are hopeful that the Transport Minister (Humza Yousaf), having taken careful consideration of all the hard facts and evidence that have been submitted to him, will find in favour of Ardrossan.
“As well as offering the shortest, fastest, cheapest route for Arran residents, a new Maritime Hub in Ardrossan will provide unrivalled levels of comfort for travellers as well as excellent onward travel options from a railway station right at the terminal’s front door. These powerful images demonstrate just how impressive those facilities will be.”
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