COUNCILLORS have spoken of the importance of a reliable ferry service between Dunoon and Gourock, insisting talks need to be held at local authority level.

Fears have recently been raised over cuts to services between the two towns, with a report questioning the need for the ferry service, with Western Ferries providing the same service.

But Councillors Daniel Hampsey (Conservative, Dunoon) and William Sinclair (Liberal Democrat, Cowal) have said that it remains of “significant importance”.

The discussion took place at a meeting of the Cowal Transport Forum on Monday, October 7.

Councillor Hampsey said: “The current service is operating as a real loss leader, because there are services throughout the day when there are no passengers at all.

“But the route is so important for our community and its future. I have spoken from my own experience of working in Glasgow through the summer.

“People would live in Inverclyde, but they have advantages from living in Dunoon. They can raise families here and still have opportunities in the city.

“But it can only happen if there is a reliable service that supports the community in the current way.

“We have to take the hand we are dealt in developing the new timetable. It is a big factor for people using the service.

“I was on the CalMac ferry last week when the fire alarm went off because the exhaust was smoking.

"We all had to wait in the waiting room before we found out it was cancelled for the rest of the day.”

Cllr Sinclair added: “I think we need to ask an important question – if we were an island, would we be treated like this? The ferry service is of significant importance

“You mentioned reliability, but there is also a situation regarding cancellations. Our particular service is one of the most cancelled anywhere on the ferry network in Scotland.

“As we get further into winter, this is when it is going to impact us. We have two services, and it is unusual for Western Ferries to cancel because their vessels are so reliable and can handle the sea conditions.

“We need to talk about this on the [Argyll and Bute Council Bute and Cowal] area committee.”

CalMac has been contacted for comment.