Greene responds to CalMac timetable updates during 'storm' of disruption

Scottish Liberal Democrat Jamie Greene MSP has today said that islanders are facing a 'never-ending' mess, as CalMac published updated summer ferry timetables due to several disruptions facing the network.

The ferry operator has announced that Troon port will be closed for planned linkspan maintenance from Monday 8th September to Sunday 14th September. During this period, Arran will have a single-vessel service from Ardrossan, with the MV Isle of Arran operating the route.

The MV Caledonian Isles, which is one of the major vessels serving Arran, continues to be out of action and will be until at least the end of September. It was originally removed from service in January 2024 due to a gearbox issue.

CalMac also say that this disruption will be ‘compounded when major vessel overhauls start’.  These will begin from 18th September when MV Isle of Arran is removed from service. The MV Loch Seaforth, which operates between Stornoway and Ullapool, will also be removed from service from 18th October.

Jamie Greene said:  

“Islanders are facing a never-ending storm of disruption, and this news is just the latest downpour.

“The hardworking staff at CalMac are doing their very best, but they have been let down by a chaotic SNP government that broke its promise to build new ferries on time and on budget. Islanders are now stuck with an ageing fleet that's constantly breaking down and causing havoc.

“The Scottish Government are treating my constituents along the west coast like second class citizens. I have spoken to so many islanders who don't have any faith in the government's ability to deliver for them.

“Someone in this SNP government must finally carry the can for repeatedly failing communities up and down the west coast.”