Ferry operator Caledonian MacBrayne is to hold two public meetings in Rothesay and Skelmorlie early in the year to inform the communities served by the WemyssBay to Rothesay ferry about progress in the planning for their new vessel.

Funding for the new ship was confirmed by Minister of Transport, Nicol Stephen MSP, in October and CalMac is currently completing the planning for the placing of the order to build.  The new ship will operate on CalMac’s busiest route and will enter service in 2005, replacing one of the Streakers currently operating there. Tenders will be placed early in the New Year for the order to build the ship.

CalMac Managing Director Lawrie Sinclair said, “It is important that the communities served by the new ship get to see what we are planning. We will be able to show everyone what kind of vessel they will be getting and what her capabilities are. It is important that everyone understands at this stage what can be achieved within the budget available and how we will be able to operate the new ship. We are delighted to be able to keep the communities informed and we will be pleased to hear their views on what we will be presenting.  This is the first step towards the development of a 21^st century ferry service for the WemyssBay to Rothesay route.  CalMac is providing one part of the integrated facilities necessary and I am sure that the communities to be served are eagerly awaiting the detail of what the new ship’s specification will be.”

The two public meetings are scheduled as follows:

1          HeywoodHotel on Wednesday, January 14 at 1900-2100; and

2          Discovery Theatre, Isle of Bute Discovery Centre, Rothesay, Thursday, January 15 at 1700-1845.

A separate meeting is also being held with the Shipping Service Advisory Committee (Clyde) and representatives of the CalMac Users Consultative Committee. All of the meetings will be attended by CalMac managers who will answer questions about the new ship. Mr Sinclair added: “It is important that everyone appreciates at the outset that there is a fixed budget for this project and that we have to achieve best value for money, while producing the most customer-friendly ship possible. I am very much looking forward to getting the project up and running and I know that these meetings will be useful to us in our preparations.”

Ends

For further information on the contents of this News Release, please contact Hugh Dan MacLennan, Public Affairs Manager, Caledonian MacBrayne. Tel: 0776 435 4021; e-mail hugh.maclennan@calmac.co.uk

Issued:  Monday, December 29, 2003