Lorry damage puts CalMac ferry out of action

A ferry on one of CalMac's busiest routes will be out of action until mid-June after it was damaged by large vehicles.

The ramp hinges on MV Loch Shira - which operates on the Largs to Cumbrae route - will need to be replaced.

Ferry users have been advised new parts must be manufactured in Poland and it could be two months before the ferry is back in service.

The 47-year-old MV Isle of Cumbrae, the oldest ferry in the CalMac fleet, has been temporarily redeployed to maintain services.

That redeployment has led to cancellation of services on the Tarbert-Portavadie route on Loch Fyne until Friday, when the MV Loch Bhrusda ferry is due to arrive on the Cumbrae route.

CalMac told ferry users the damage was caused by "large commercial vehicles" whose weight exceeds the ramp's design load, but it has been unable to identify which lorries were to blame.

The damage to the ramp hinge is beyond repair and new parts will have to be manufactured in Poland in order to gain regulator approval, it said.

The ferry will then require up to three weeks in dry dock, meaning it could be mid-June before it can return to service.

Another CalMac ferry, the much larger Caledonian Isles which serves the Arran route, is also currently out of action until June for repairs.

Cumbrae Ferry Users Group held a public meeting to discuss the ferry problems on Tuesday, attended by 130 people - about 10% of the island's population.

Frustration was directed at CalMac, the Scottish government and North Ayrshire Council.

The group wants a review of the management of Loch Shira after both ramps failed just two months after a major overhaul.

Islanders are also concerned about the volume of heavy traffic involved in flood protection work in Millport, and delays in replacing small vessels in the CalMac fleet.

Chairman Angus Campbell said Cumbrae remained open to visitors which are important to the economy, but he urged them to travel as foot passengers.

"The ferry is a short distance from the train station in Largs, and there is a convenient and quick bus service connecting the ferry with Millport town which will make your travel plans easy," he said.

"The message is, 'Please come, and if you can, please leave your car behind.’

Loch Shira entered service in 2007 after being built at Ferguson shipyard. It can carry up to 32 cars and 250 passengers.