Cumbrae Community Council called on Calmac to account for failing to undertake an impact assessment of recent Largs-Cumbrae ferry timetable changes. Calmac was forced to open up a consultation inviting written representations from the community.
An analysis of the 54 resident and business submissions reveals significant negative impacts on healthcare access, employment, and tourism. These impacts were entirely predicable and provide clear evidence that an Island Communities Impact Assessment (ICIA) should have been undertaken before these changes were made, in accordance with the Islands (Scotland) Act 2018.
The ferry is repeatedly described in the submissions as a lifeline service, and the changes have materially affected access to essential services, work, and daily living. The submissions present unanimous criticism of the changes, with the dominant feelings expressed being frustration, anxiety, and a sense of being ignored. People repeatedly describe the new timetable as unreliable, confusing, less frequent, and harmful to island life. They complain in particular about longer waits, missed connections, reduced reliability, and increased stress. Many explicitly say the changes were imposed without meaningful consultation, leaving them feeling ignored by CalMac.
People’s responses describe:
Medical access being compromised.
Commuters losing time, income and reliability.
The breakdown of bus-ferry connections.
Impacts on tourism and the local economy.
Worsening queues and capacity problems.
Disproportionate impacts on older and vulnerable residents.
Feeling ignored, dismissed and not properly consulted.
A lack of trust in Calmac and Transport Scotland.
Cumbrae Community Council is calling for a full ICIA, in accordance with the Islands Act. This would require that CalMac:
Reassess the timetable.
Consider alternative options.
Identify and implement improvement and mitigation measures.
Demonstrate meaningful engagement with the island community.
