DUNOON-GOUROCK FERRY ACTION GROUP VISIT HOLYROOD FOR FMQ’s
Written by Archie Fergusson on 14/10/2016
A delegation representing the D-GFAG bused their way from Gourock to Edinburgh this morning having crossed the Clyde on the passenger only ferry that is the bone of contention to many folk living in Dunoon and Gourock.
David Stewart (Highlands and Islands) MSP on behalf of the D-GFAG asked a question of the First Minister Nicola Sturgeon.
After FMQs the group had talks with David Stewart and two fellow MSPs where a pledge was given by the Parliamentarians to pursue the aims of the D-GFAG with immediate effect by contacting Minister for Transport and the Islands Humza Yousaf MSP calling for an urgent meeting.
The Journey from home Edinburgh to Gourock was as it had been in reverse some eight hours previously until reaching Gourock to learn that due to strong winds and swell conditions at Dunoon there was a one ferry service and yes, you are absolutely right, The ferry that had just left was the ferry , next one in one hour.
FMQs
David Stewart (Highlands and Islands) (Lab) asked :
Will the First Minister join me in welcoming to the gallery a delegation of campaigners from the Dunoon to Gourock ferry action group from my region? Can she confirm that it is the Scottish Government’s policy to provide a vehicle and passenger ferry service between Gourock and Dunoon town centres, and whether David MacBrayne Limited, which is wholly owned by the Scottish ministers, was instructed to tender under the Gourock to Dunoon exercise?
The First Minister Nicola Sturgeon answered :
First, I welcome to the chamber the campaigners from the Dunoon to Gourock ferry service. I know many of them well, because in one of my previous Government jobs I had the responsibility for taking forward this work. I absolutely appreciate the strength of feeling about the town centre to town centre vehicle service issue. As David Stewart will appreciate, we are now in a live procurement exercise and there are strict limitations on ministerial involvement in that tendering exercise and what I am able to say at this stage. I hope that he, and indeed the campaigners, will appreciate from my previous involvement how serious we are in seeking to make sure that there is a service running on that route that meets the expectations of those who rely on it.
PLEASE CLICK BELOW TO SEE DAVID STEWART MSP PUT HIS QUESTION TO FIRST MINISTER NICOLA STURGEON