Ferry services across the west coast have once again become the topic of much discussion in recent weeks.

Cumbrae commuters have been further impacted due to MV Loch Shira being taken out of service for essential repairs.

This is symptomatic of the ever-increasing maintenance (planned or otherwise) of our increasingly ageing fleet.

Commuters between Largs and Cumbrae are now reliant on vessels such as MV Loch Riddon, a nearly 40-year-old ferry, which has far less capacity for cars and motorhomes.

Complaints have already been made about the delays this arrangement has caused for residents and visitors travelling to and from the island with anecdotes of people queuing for hours on end at both sides. I see these queues outside of my regional office all the time.

Should delays to repairing MV Loch Shira extend further into the summer, it will have a detrimental effect on the island’s tourism and residents trying to get to work during the busy holiday months.

Growing criticism over the Scottish Government’s response to the issue of ferries has clearly motivated the First Minister to speak out about the ongoing issues at Ardrossan Harbour. The recent closure of the Irish Berth has caused more issues for travellers and the only benefactor seems to be Troon.

Although I was happy to hear the First Minister echo many of the sentiments of concern, he perhaps forgets that his party has been in government for some 17 years now.

Whilst serving as the transport secretary six years ago, the First Minister approved plans in principle to renovate Ardrossan Harbour and made explicit promises that Ardrossan would remain the primary port of call for Arran residents travelling to the mainland.

After six years and several promotions, the First Minister has presided over a standstill at Ardrossan Harbour and has undermined his government’s promises to keep passenger ferry traffic flowing through the town.

Despite his best efforts to divert blame, it was Mr Yousaf’s responsibility as both Transport Secretary and First Minister to create and implement a long-term strategy for the harbour and for his government to put its hand in its pocket.

The First Minister should recognise that the Scottish Government’s lack of strategy for Ardrossan has also played a part into delayed renovations and should seek to positively engage with stakeholders, North Ayrshire Council and MSPs from across the political spectrum to ensure the much needed upgrades happen, and happen soon.

Throughout the past few months, I have received a significant number of responses back from the surveys I sent out across North Ayrshire.

I will raise as many of these issues as I can with the Scottish Government and North Ayrshire in the coming weeks and months.