Meeting papers - 23 February 2022 - Ardrossan Harbour Taskforce

Attendees

  • Cllr J Cullinane (JC) Co Chair - North Ayrshire Council
  • Bill Calderwood (BC) Arran Ferry Committee Secretary
  • Iain Thomson (IT) Arran Ferry Committee – Chairman
  • Karen Yeomans (KY) Executive Director - Growth and Investment - North Ayrshire Council
  • Alasdair Laurenson (AL) Senior Manager – Growth & Investment– North Ayrshire Council
  • Colin Bradford (CB) Regeneration Manager– North Ayrshire Council
  • Gary Hodgson (GH) Peel Ports Group - Chief Operations Officer
  • Lewis McIntyre (LMcI) Peel Ports Group –Managing Director, Port Services
  • Doug Coleman (DC) Peel Ports Group - Project Manager
  • Pauline Blackshaw (PB) Head of Service Delivery Planning, CFL (CalMac)
  • Lauren McEwan (LMcE) Operational Planning Manager– CFL (CalMac)
  • Kenneth Gibson MSP (KG)
  • Kevin Hobbs (KH) CEO of CMAL
  • Ruairidh Campbell (RC) CMAL Liaison Project Manager
  • Graeme McGinty (GMcG) CMAL – Project Manager
  • Chris Wilcock (CW) TS –  Head of Ferries Unit (CW)
  • David Torrance (DT) TS – Head of Contracts, Procurement and Projects
  • Caroline Connelly (CC) TS –  Head of Infrastructure Branch(Secretariat to Task Force)

Apologies

  • Jenny Gilruth, MSP – Co Chair, Minister for Transport
  • Danielle Neutgens – Programme Manager, Operational Planning, CFL, (CalMac)
  • Frances Pacitti – Transport Scotland
  • James Anderson – CMAL
  • Robbie Drummond - CalMac
  • Craig Hatton – NAC
  • Andy Crossan – CMAL

Welcome and introductions

Cllr Cullinane welcomed everyone to the meeting and confirmed that Jenny Gilruth MSP, Minister for Transport was sending apologies due to parliamentary business. Also to recognise and acknowledge that Graeme Dey, MSP, recently stood down from the role of Minister for Transport and that the Task Force members wish Mr Dey a speedy recovery and best wishes for future endeavours.

Other apologies were conveyed and noted as above.

All attendees introduced themselves for the benefit of Mr Gibson MSP.

Actions – arising from 7 December 2021 Task Force

 CC confirmed that only three Actions arising from the 7 December 2021 Task Force remained open. These were:

  • Legal/Funding Agreements
  • CalMac – Service Continuity Public Consultation and
  • Marine Works – Technical Query

These will be progressed as soon as practicable.

IOAFC stated that the PPG investment to the infrastructure and associated works on the Arran berth are expected to be undertaken in March 2022. IOAFC asked PPG if they could provide greater clarity over the programme and confirmation that the works would be completed prior to the Easter period as any programme slippage would negatively impact on service levels. PPG confirmed that they would confirm programme details to IOAFC and endeavour to minimise any disruption and/ or impact to services where practicable.

Ardrossan Steering Group Update

Legal & Commercial Arrangements

CW confirmed that engagement continues between TS and PPG on the Legal/Commercial Agreements and that progress is being made albeit with an agreeable solution still to be reconciled.

However, CW confirmed that progressing to Tender stage was agreeable to both Transport Scotland and PPG – although any formal agreement would be dependent on acceptable costs and agreement on the commercial matters still to be discussed. . This will be taken forward in the coming weeks and months. 

Noting that mobilisation to tender stage includes collation of all project related documents, and input from the technical sub groups and drafting of the Invitation to Tender document. Confirmation of the tender stage timescales will be advised in due course. This mobilisation also includes the re-commencement of the project Steering Group meetings which will be scheduled in the coming weeks.  

GH welcomed moving to the tender stage (and that this had always been their preferred position) and this will be progressed with TS and partner organisations. GH acknowledged that with the changes in the construction market that costs for materials required for a project of this complexity have increased therefore progressing to tender will provide greater clarity on construction costs acknowledging that some commercial arrangements still needing to be worked out.   

Technical Sub Groups Update

Each of the sub groups provided an update:

  • Landside Infrastructure – AL: advised the Landside Public Consultation launched on Monday 21 February 2022 and online responses had been received. In addition North Ayrshire Council officials confirmed that they had met with the IOAFC prior to the consultation going live with feedback being fed into the consultation content. AL advised that face to face engagement on the consultation is currently being arranged for March, more details to follow in the coming weeks.
  • AL advised that the out of hours provision for hauliers raised by IOAFC is being considered and that further engagement with CFL is required to take account of any operational aspects before this matter is considered further. In addition NAC stated that it is their intention to discuss out of hours toilet provision with the architect.
  • PAS – RC confirmed that with the project moving to tender stage, workshops on the PAS design will require scheduling to feed into the tender documentation.
  • Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) – KH confirmed that the fabrication of the kit and tank will be progressed following recent engagement with the supplier.  The delivery period remains around 12 months with storage prior to installation.
  • Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) Supply – LMcE confirmed that CFL were entering into tender negotiations for the supply contract and will provide TS with an update in due course. As well as engaging with PPG on the licenses and consents required for the implementation of LNG on site.
  • Service Continuity Planning – LMcE confirmed that service continuity plans including Timetables for Troon continue to be developed with input from IOAFC with the public consultation to follow, dates will be advised as soon as practicable.. The consultation seeks communities input and feedback as this will inform any final decision on service provisions.
  • Marine Works – GH confirmed that this work-stream will be resumed as mobilisation to tender stage has now been agreed.  

Vessel Update

CMAL advised that an update from the yard on programme is expected in March 2022. This follows a recent issue having been identified with cabling onboard the vessel. 

  • Cllr Cullinane recognised that the recent cabling issues does in itself raise concerns for the communities about the delivery of the vessel and when this will be deployed the route.  CMAL advised that they continue to engage with the yard and the newly appointed Chief Executive on vessel progress.

Troon Infrastructure Project - Update

CC confirmed that Transport Scotland recently undertook two site visits to see the progress of  the works; with completion still expected by Spring 2022. George Leslie Ltd continues to engage with Associated British Ports (ABP) and  Transport Scotland on any project related matters. The infrastructure works are also progressing well with the marshalling lanes being drawn out on site. GmcG confirmed that the temporary terminal building procurement stage is nearly complete with contract award expected in the coming weeks. Works remain on programme for completion by Summer 2022. All of these works will support the operation of ferry services when they are temporarily diverted to Troon during the construction phase of the Ardrossan project including any periods of disruption.

Next Steps

  • Progress outstanding Actions from Task Force of 7 December 2021
  • Mobilisation of Steering Group and progression to Tender stage
  • Communications – regular update of Ardrossan Task Force webpage

Any other business

No issues raised.

Date of next meeting

Date of next meeting to be scheduled in May/June 2022.

Back to top

Published Date 7 Apr 2022 Type Mode of transport