Meeting papers - 3 March 2026 - Ardrossan Harbour Taskforce

Attendees

  • Fiona Hyslop - Cabinet Secretary for Transport - Co Chair (CabSecforTransport)
  • Joshua Lea - Private Secretary to Cabinet Secretary (JL)
  • Cllr Anthony Gurney - Co Chair - Leader, North Ayrshire Council (AG)
  • Louise Kirk - Head of Service Economic Development Growth & Regeneration, North Ayrshire Council - (LK)
  • Russell McCutcheon - Executive Director (Place, , North Ayrshire Council) (RMcC)
  • Kenneth Gibson - MSP for Cunninghame North (KG)
  • Bill Calderwood - Isle of Arran Ferry Committee - Secretary (IOAFC/BC)
  • Struan Armitage - Isle of Arran Ferry Committee - Vice Chair (IOAFC/SA)
  • Lewis McIntyre - Peel Ports Group - Managing Director, Port Services (PPG/LMcI)
  • Duncan Mackison - CEO of CalMac (DM)
  • Fraser Wallace - Head of harbour operations, Calmac (FW)
  • John Kelly - Project Manager, CalMac (JK)
  • Kevin Hobbs - CMAL - CEO (KH)
  • Graeme McGinty - CMAL - Project Manager (GMcG)

Transport Scotland officials

  • Chris Wilcock - Director of Ferries (CW)
  • Caroline Connelly - Head of Ferries Infrastructure & Secretariat to Task Force (CC)
  • Luisa Casasanta - Ardrossan Project Manager (LC)

Apologies

  • James McSporran - Managing Director Clydeport
  • Craig Hatton - Chief Executive - North Ayrshire Council (CH)
  • Iain Thomson - Isle of Arran Ferry Committee - Chairman (IT)
  • Phil Cordiner - Programme Delivery Lead (CalMac/PC)
  • Diane Burke - Chief Operating Officer (CalMac/DB)
  • David Torrance - Interim Head of Ferries/TS (DT)

Welcome, Introductions and Meeting etiquette

CabSecforTransport welcomed everyone to the meeting, and confirmed that this meeting was scheduled to provide an opportunity for members to share their views on the Parliamentary announcement earlier today confirming port purchase.

CabSecforTransport welcomed co-chair of the Task Force Councillor Anthony Gurney (new leader of North Ayrshire Council) and thanked Councillor Marie Burns for all her work and commitment to the project as previous co-chair – noting she had spoken to her earlier to pass on her thanks directly.

CabSecforTransport invited everyone to introduce themselves for the meeting note.

CabSecforTransport thanked both CMAL and Peel Ports for completing the negotiations acknowledging that this was a significant undertaking and very complex taking cognisance of all legal and subsidy control aspects.

Apologies were conveyed as noted above.

Ardrossan Project Update and Discussion

CabSecforTransport then invited both CMAL and Peel Ports to share comment  on milestone reached in port purchase noting the commercial sensitivities. PPG and CMAL both noted how complex the commercial negotiation was, the vast workload, but reiterated final documents are to be signed within month of March.

CabSec for Transport confirmed that funding for the purchase and any immediate/upgrade works are within the Ferries Budget and Capital Spending Review. 

CabSecforTransport opened up to Task Force members for comment.

Task Force Members Discussions

KG welcomed the news of port purchase, highlighted the need to boost resilience of port in short term (for example navigational lights/fenders etc), and what timescales were for immediate/works

CMAL responded and confirmed that the harbour where possible would be kept operational for immediate/minor works. However, although it was noted there had been some calls for the port to remain open during major works, CMAL noted that this would not be practical and the harbour would be closed during major redevelopment works due to scale of what was required. This would mean a closure period of up to 2.5 years.

CabSecforTransport reiterated the importance of consideration of support for Ardrossan community and businesses at that the time of closure. It will also be important to centralise project communications to ensure consistent message to the public. However right now the focus is immediate works and the two port operation to ensure a consistent service to and from Arran.

KG stated helpful to have specifics of these immediate term resilience works to share with public re fenders etc.

Isle of Arran Ferry Committee - the community welcome this statement, however need consistent communication to build confidence in project, and discussions re vessel resilience are ongoing with Calmac. They noted the need for seamless transition including HRO’s (Harbour Revision Order)without affecting redevelopment, clear and timely comms with all parties involved. The committee offered ongoing support to the project.

CalMac - advised primary focus is the return of the MV Caledonian Isles. They will work with CMAL to set new agreements with them once HRO’s complete. Will address KG’s point on resilience details of port.

CMAL - Confirmed that the Statutory Harbour change will take some time however in the interim PPG would remain involved on any immediate/minor works. This approach is not envisaged to cause any issues. CMAL did in preparation of a successful purchase order fenders and delivery of these is awaited. Long term works programme is being reviewed at pace with a defined process to go through to get spades in the ground. It is envisaged that procurement stage is around 12-15 months away although CMAL will look to expedite the programme where practicable Therefore works could reasonably be expected to commence in 2027, however this will require to be supported by a robust final business case and approval of funding. CMAL will engage with on the programme of works supported by a dedicated project team, alongside CalMac and TS.

North Ayrshire Council - The council welcomed statement today, need to maintain momentum for works and redevelopment of the harbour. NAC will support project communications, as well as discussions to be undertaken on regeneration of Ardrossan including any support for businesses during the closure period. Regular communications are also needed to ensure that local communities and residents feel engaged.

CabSecforTransport - thanked everyone for the feedback and that the  focus of the next Task Force meeting will be all members working together to support and effectively manage communications around the future closure for the redevelopment works.

Communications

CabSecforTransport - communications strategy to be commissioned and updates issued on the immediate works  as soon as possible. Comms plan will  take us through to the redevelopment works. CMAL and TS are to lead on this with input from members, specifically NAC in regards to local communities of Ardrossan and IOAFC for Arran residents. .

North Ayrshire Council - repeated need for good communication plan to communities to manage expectations and ensure their involvement in next steps.

CMAL - monthly newsletter has been  popular on other projects during construction stage  where this was suggested as an example forming part of the communications strategy.

Next steps

CabSecforTransport confirmed that the Minutes of the Task Force will be drafted and published as matter of urgency.

CabSecforTransport confirmed that this was her final Task Force meeting where the next meeting would be arranged in due course. It was highlighted that the focus of the Task Force would adjust to support the re-development works and all that this will entrail going forward.

Actions:

  • CMAL to commission Communications Strategy and Plan with TS input. 
  • CMAL/TS to issue proactive comms on immediate/minor works and thereafter long term programme. 
  • All members to think about next priorities

Date of next meeting

To be confirmed in due course.

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Published Date 4 Sep 2026 Type Mode of transport Topic