THE trial and potential charter of a new ferry on the Troon to Brodick route has raised further concerns that Ardrossan is being "sidelined".

It comes after CalMac announced that the Isle of Man Steam Packet Company's MV Ben-My-Chree would be carrying out berthing trials on the South Ayrshire route to and from Arran.

Following the trial, a full charter of MV Ben-my-Chree will be subject to agreement before a wider plan on the vessel's deployment would be finalised and published.

It is hoped that its addition would add resilience to the existing network over the challenging winter period.

It is understood that, based on the vessel design and size, MV Be-My-Chree would "not fit" at Ardrossan Harbour.

This is why - despite being glad to see options are being explored to offer a more resilient service over the winter - action group Save Ardrossan Harbour have aired further frustrations with a lack of work taking place in North Ayrshire.

A spokesperson said: "We are sad to report that no further information has been published regarding the works at Ardrossan Harbour.

"Money spent on this would be the best course of action for future proofing as this is the most reliable service which could be offered.

"It’s frustrating to see another trial destined for Troon instead of focusing on preserving the Ardrossan to Brodick route.

"That route has been vital for many people and businesses. Have there been any discussions about the challenges affecting Ardrossan, or is it just being overlooked?

"It’s concerning when a key transportation route like Ardrossan to Brodick seems to be sidelined."

The group also called for more consideration to be given to how the route could be supported in the short-term.

They added: "The Ardrossan to Brodick connection has its own unique challenges, like weather disruptions and capacity issues, but simply ignoring it in favour of trials that may not address these specific needs can feel like a lack of consideration for those who rely on it.

"It would be beneficial to engage with the wider community to understand their needs and concerns, as well as to explore innovative solutions that can enhance the reliability and efficiency of the Ardrossan route.

"Public input and transparency in decision-making would foster a more inclusive approach, ensuring that all options are explored rather than just shifting focus to alternate routes.

"We urge the Scottish Government to come back to the people of North Ayrshire and Arran shortly with their commitment as agreed previously."

The Scottish Government have said they remain committed to ensuring the Arran ferry service is "fit for the future", and to finding a solution at Ardrossan that can be delivered in a cost-effective way reflecting the needs of all partners involved.

A Transport Scotland spokesperson said: “We recognise the impact that delays and disruption have regrettably had on our island communities – including Arran – and are committed to investing in our ferry services.

“CalMac have cascaded vessels across the network to ensure lifeline connectivity during the ongoing outage of the MV Caledonian Isles.

"Unfortunately this has led to the need for further re-deployment across the network to accommodate annual overhaul and further technical issues. Ministers and officials are in daily contact with CalMac who are continuing to ensure that lifeline services are maintained.

“Delivering six new major vessels to serve Scotland’s ferry network by 2026 is a priority for this government.

"We have invested more than £2 billion in our ferry services since 2007 and we have outlined plans to invest around £700 million in a five year plan to improve ferry infrastructure.

"CalMac are also investing additional sums to improve fleet sustainability and to provide a more resilient service for customers and communities.”