Cowal Transport Forum - 11 August 2025
Argyll and Bute Council · 2 September 2025
Back to Bute and Cowal Area Committee — 2 September 2025 and its agenda
Text extracted from the council's PDF. Layout and reading order may differ from the original.
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MINUTES of MEETING of COWAL TRANSPORT FORUM held BY MICROSOFT TEAMS on MONDAY, 11 AUGUST 2025 Present: Councillor Daniel Hampsey (Chair) Councillor Audrey Forrest Councillor Ross Moreland Stuart McLean, Committee Manager David Clough, Dunoon Community Council Andrew Boyd, Transport Scotland Victoria Shaw, CalMac Ewan Tait, Scotrail Kirstie Reid, Strachur Community Council Gordon Ross, Western Ferries Sophie Marshall, Police Scotland Neil Stewart, West Coast Motors Iain Slorach, CalMac Dave Cooper, Hunters Quay Community Council Attending: Andy Galloway, Local Democracy Reporter 1. APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE The Chair welcomed everyone to the meeting. Apologies for absence were intimated on behalf of Councillor Gordon Blair, Ian Woodcock and Richard Hadfield Transport Scotland, Allan Comrie SPT and Kirsty Taylor-Walsh CalMac. Forum members raised concerns that there was no representative from Argyll and Bute Councils Roads Department. Action The Chair agreed to liaise with the Roads and Infrastructure Services regarding their representation at future meetings of the Forum and to invite the new Head of Service to attend a future meeting. 2. DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST There were no declarations of interest.
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3. MINUTES The minutes of the meeting of the Cowal Transport Forum held on Friday 9 May 2025 were approved as a correct record. 4. POLICE SCOTLAND The Forum were provided with a verbal update from PS Sophie Marshall on the ongoing work of the service and the priorities for the Cowal, Bute and Helensburgh areas. Kirstie Reid raised concerns around the number of cycles being ridden on the pavements on Argyll Street, Dunoon, and the detrimental impact this was having on pedestrians. Action PS Sophie Marshall to remind the public of the dangers of cycling on pavements via social media channels. Outcome The Forum noted the update from Police Scotland. 5. FERRIES UPDATE a) Dunoon – Gourock Ferry Timetable Councillor Daniel Hampsey advised that following the decision by the Scottish Government to remove 3 sailings for the Dunoon – Gourock route that discussions around which sailings will be removed remain ongoing. Councillor Hampsey expected an announcement on the cancelled sailings to be made in advance of the introduction of the Winter timetable on 19 October. The Forum noted the importance around the publication and promotion of these changes; that changes to the ferry timetable must take into consideration connectivity with other transport providers, specifically Scotrail and that every effort should be made to overturn this decision. Outcome The Forum noted the update from Councillor Hampsey.
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b) Opportunity for verbal updates by Cowal Transport Forum Members Western Ferries Gordon Ross updated the Forum that the 2 new vessels were progressing well and that the reliability on their service remains very high. Mr Ross also confirmed that they would introduce additional capacity to meet the demands of extra visitors during the Cowal Highland Gathering. Outcome The Forum noted the update from Western Ferries. CalMac Victoria Shaw advised that the MV Argyll Flyer has had its return to service delayed and that it is now expected to return by the end of September. Miss Shaw further advised that they are looking at contingency options for the Cowal Highland Gathering weekend and will liaise with Western Ferries and West Coast Motors in this regard. Miss Shaw also confirmed the overhaul schedule dates for the MV Ali Cat (27 October to 11 November 2025) and MV Argyll Flyer (11 March to 2 April 2026). Action CalMac to share arrangements for the Cowal Gathering as soon as they are finalised with Forum members. Outcome The Forum noted the update from CalMac. 6. PUBLIC TRANSPORT David Clough advised that the 907 Bus Service to Glasgow has become an express service, with limited stops and that there is no priority boarding guarantee, adding that the connection to Braehead was an issue, as most passengers wish to travel directly to Glasgow. Mr Clough advised that Dunoon Community are working closely with West Coast Motors to explore options to introduce a 2 hourly service from Dunoon to Glasgow, calling at Gourock Railway Station and Buchanan Street, making a minimum number of stops in order to attract support from the concessionary fare scheme. Outcome The Forum noted the update.
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(b) Opportunity for verbal updates by Cowal Transport Forum Members West Coast Motors Neil Stewart provided an update on behalf of West Coast Motors, this covered the 489 service providing an evening timetable to meet all ferries from now on, the 480 service providing a return service from Hunter’s Quay to Dunoon, the 486 service changing to the 487 service on Saturday mornings, the 478 service now operating at 5.40pm to travel to Colintraive, the issue of overcrowding on the 10.45am ferry bus and the provision of extra buses for the Cowal Highland Games. Outcome The Forum noted the update from West Coats Motors. Scotrail Ewan Tait advised that fares would change from the beginning of September, as all tickets will now be the same price. There will be no off peak/peak prices and that the timetable will change on Sunday 14 December, which will have a minimal impact on Inverclyde services. David Clough asked if connecting trains to ferries could be highlighted on timetables, as not all trains connect. Mr Tait confirmed that he would explore this and will check train announcements and boarding screens for communication. Outcome The Forum noted the update from Scotrail. 7. ROADS UPDATE The Chair advised that there was no representative from the Roads Department present, but he would take back any questions received and update the Forum accordingly. Kirstie Reid raised concerns that lorries are having to hug the side of the road along Loch Eck due to its narrow width. Simon Stuart advised that Timber Transport Group have looked at this and will liaise directly with the Council Roads Department. Gordon Ross enquired when the roads in Dunoon are expected to be resurfaced. The Chair confirmed that he would raise this with the Council Roads Department and respond accordingly. Outcome The Forum agreed to pass any related questions to the Chair who would pass these to the Roads Department for a response.
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8. TRANSPORT SCOTLAND The Forum considered a written update from Transport Scotland advising of a number of ongoing activities within the locality and confirming that the full programme of works at the Rest and Be Thankful will only be determined following the conclusion of the ground investigation works. Outcome The Forum noted the update from Transport Scotland. (Reference: Update by Transport Scotland, submitted) 9. TIMBER TRANSPORT GROUP Simon Stuart advised there continues to be an impact for timber transport at the Rest & Be Thankful due to the ongoing works. Outcome The Forum noted the update from Timber Transport Group. 10. DUNOON COMMUNITY COUNCIL UPDATE Consideration was given to a report which provided information on the ongoing activities of Dunoon Community Council, including ongoing discussions around the Gourock – Dunoon ferry route, a complaint submitted to CalMac regarding incorrect information given by a CalMac employee, issues with the replacement bus service from Dunoon and lobbying of the Minister for Agriculture and Connectivity, and others, around ferry provision. Outcome The Forum noted the report from Dunoon Community Council. (Reference: Report by Dunoon Community Council, submitted) 11. ANY OTHER COMPETENT BUSINESS Gordon Ross raised a question regarding the Western Ferry service on the hour, and the fact that McGill’s bus leaves before the ferry arrives. He asked if it was possible for this bus to wait at McInroy’s Point rather than the Port Glasgow station. Kirstie Reid advised that this service used to go from Calmac ferry to Inverclyde Royal Hospital and that this has been discontinued. Action The Chair advised he will investigate both points.
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12. DATE OF NEXT MEETING The Chair thanked everyone in attendance at the meeting and the Forum noted that the next meeting would be advised for November, due to the October meeting being brought forward to August.