MSP Katy Clark has said she's "deeply disappointed" by the continuing disruption to Arran's ferry service.
The West Scotland Labour MSP hit out after we revealed the island would be left without a service to Ardrossan from later today (Tuesday, September 24).
The long-awaited return of the main ferry from Ardrossan to Arran, the MV Caledonian Isles, at the weekend was warmly welcomed, until it was discovered that despite nine months of repair work being carried out on it, it now had a gearbox problem.
The vessel is now in Greenock awaiting repairs.
But with the replacement ferry, MV Isle of Arran, heading in for its annual overhaul later today, it leaves no ferry to operate from Ardrossan.
Instead, passengers will have to sail from Troon Harbour to and from the island - a much longer journey, with no direct rail link on the mainland.
Today, Ms Clark said: "I'm deeply disappointed by the continued disruptions to Arran's ferry service.
“The ongoing issues with the MV Caledonian Isles, combined with the sudden withdrawal of the MV Isle of Arran, have left the island community facing yet another day without a vital transport link.
“This situation is unacceptable, and I urge CalMac to expedite repairs and find a more reliable solution to ensure the people of Arran are not repeatedly left stranded."
In an updated statement, CalMac said: "The vessel, which returned to Brodick, Arran on Sunday, September 22, following an extensive period of repairs at a shipyard on the Mersey, is currently undergoing investigation for an unforeseen technical problem with its port gearbox.
"To facilitate repairs, the vessel will now temporarily relocate to the Ocean Terminal at Greenock, before moving to James Watt Dock in Greenock on Wednesday, September 25.
"Our teams are working closely with external contractors to expedite these repairs as quickly as possible to return the vessel to service."
They continued: "As we outlined in our previous update, MV Isle of Arran will continue operating the Ardrossan-Brodick service up to and including the 1.55pm Brodick-Ardrossan sailing on Tuesday, September 24.
"MV Isle of Arran is then required to enter dry dock for its own annual overhaul period, which cannot be delayed.
Read more on the ferry disruption here.
"Therefore, services on the Ardrossan - Brodick route will be cancelled effective from the 3.15 Ardrossan-Brodick sailing on Tuesday and will remain cancelled throughout Wednesday, September 25."
CalMac added: "MV Alfred will continue to operate the published Troon–Brodick service. However, capacity is very limited – customers without a confirmed booking are not guaranteed travel.
"To support foot passengers using the Troon – Brodick service, we are arranging shuttle buses to operate between Ardrossan Ferry Terminal and Troon Ferry Terminal to connect with MV Alfred departures and arrivals to the following timetable: Bus departs Troon – 4.45pm.
"Customers are also reminded that the Turn Up and Go Claonaig–Lochranza service remains available. However, due to the volume of displaced traffic from the Ardrossan–Brodick service, we expect the Claonaig–Lochranza service to be very busy, and extended wait times can be expected."
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