THE company which runs a ferry service so unreliable it has been likened to the comedy hotel Fawlty Towers has been criticised by the public body which handed it the contract.

The Strathclyde Partnership for Transport (SPT) says it has found communication with Clydelink to be “extremely difficult” following the repeat suspension of the 13-minute ferry crossing.

The latest interruption to the service, on August 3, came after the route was suspended for a week in early June and another nine days last month.

Clydelink’s operation of the service has been labelled “the nautical equivalent of Fawlty Towers” as local politicians called for SPT to terminate its contract with the company.

In response to those calls an SPT spokeswoman said: “As most members of the public have experienced, we also find it extremely difficult to communicate with this operator.

“This service is operated on the basis that it is comparable to a bus service, and provides a socially necessary link, however that is against a fixed budget with the Gourock/Kilcreggan service competing with bus service requests from many communities across our local area.

“While a backup vessel would be ideal and we have been encouraging the operator to pursue this, at this time there is no operator or vessel available.

“This contract was renewed in April of this year and we know the performance to date is very poor.

“We will be taking action against the operators and that will be advised in due course.”

The vessel used by Clydelink, MV Island Princess, failed safety inspections by the Maritime and Coastguard Agency and was removed from service for a week in June and a week and a half in July.

Without a back-up boat the alternative option for travellers was a 50-mile journey by replacement bus instead of the usual 13-minute crossing by ferry.

West Scotland MSP Maurice Corry said: “The current service has become unreliable and as a result is causing severe inconvenience to commuters, local businesses and residents.

“Regular commuters need a reliable service to travel to and from work, they are now being forced to make a much longer trip, however this service is not reliable enough and as such the passenger numbers are dropping putting the future of the service at risk.

“This is a publicly funded service which is not meeting the terms of the contract.”

Mr Corry has now called for the termination of the contract and is pressing for Transport Scotland to take the contract over.

Helensburgh and Lomond’s MSP, Jackie Baillie, said: “The latest disruption should be the final straw for SPT.

“This is turning into the nautical equivalent of Fawlty Towers except Clydelink makes even Basil Fawlty look competent.

“SPT should use their powers to cancel the contract and find a new operator.”

Ms Baillie is meeting with the chief executive of SPT to demand a new operator take over.

A spokesman for Cove and Kilcreggan Community Council said: “The repeated and prolonged disruption to what is a lifeline ferry service is the cause of a great deal of anger and disquiet in the community.

“It is vital that we get answers soon and a reliable service restored, be it with the existing operator or a replacement.”

The Advertiser contacted Clydelink but had not received a response as it went to press.