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DEAL: Ardrossan's ferry port will finally be under public ownership (Image: Geograph)
Negotiations to buy Ardrossan Harbour concluded earlier this week, much to the “great relief and joy” of campaign groups fighting for its future.
Transport Secretary Fiona Hyslop MSP announced at Holyrood on Tuesday that a deal was struck for the North Ayrshire port between Peel Ports and Caledonian Maritime Assests Ltd (CMAL).
Hyslop assured that the agreement would be signed later this month to secure public ownership.
The news comes after questions over the site’s future, that campaigners believed the information of “was not coming out” from the relevant bodies.
On their Facebook page, Save Ardrossan Harbour believes the latest developments will bring “the best service” for sailings to Arran.
They said: “It is with great relief and joy that we can today say that purchase negotiations have concluded.
“This is extremely welcome news after what has been a long battle to ensure Ardrossan Harbour’s future. This is the first major step in this direction since it’s future became questionable many years ago.
“We await the final purchase announcement being made and want to thank everyone involved to getting things to this point.”
Partner group Arran for Ardrossan Harbour said it is “essential” for the ferries to run through the ongoing work.
They added: “We demand that no time will be lost in getting this process started so that the tendering can commence and the work on the new harbour can begin.
“It is important that the work carried out at the harbour results in an increase in reliability and is suitable for the berthing of vessels of various dimensions, thus providing flexibility for the future of the service.”
Ardrossan first became a ferry port in 1834 to connect with Arran’s Brodick port and Campbeltown following earlier developments by the 12th Earl of Eglinton.
The primary vessels running from the port are the MV Isle of Arran and MV Caledonian Ilses.
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