FOR more than four years, the operation of the Kilcreggan Ferry has been nothing short of appalling (“’Diabolical’ ferry service halted over safety”, The Herald, September 18).
I along with other individuals and community councils on both sides of the water have campaigned for action to secure the safety and long-term future of the route.
We have lobbied the First Minister, Scottish Cabinet ministers, all relevant MSPs, councillors and the body responsible for administering the route, Strathclyde Partnership for Transport (SPT).
There have been many promises, tough words, ongoing “reviews” and more but I can sum up the action our politicians have managed in four years: nothing.
SPT re-awarded the contract to run the service to the Clydelink company, knowing how locals felt about this business and its appalling track record. Since then, there have been major technical failures almost every single month. Commuters, students, locals with health needs and those going about their business have faced a one hour, 45minute, 50-mile journey for what should normally be a 12-minute journey time.
I have concerns about a lack of regard for public safety. When a company which is awarded public money to provide a service breaches safety rules and regulations, why is it allowed to continue being awarded money?
This is no small matter: lifejackets and fire extinguishers that had not been serviced; fire pumps not working; unqualified crew; and missing anchor chains. All of this is in an official report. It appears that lip service is being paid when public safety is at stake.
If, after four years, politicians have been unable to force action that makes a difference, why are they in office? Fours years is more than long enough.
The problems are long standing, well documented and the impact on people is tangible. In this case, our politicians do not appear to be serving the public they represent.
The challenges are not insurmountable; far from it. The solutions are many and obvious. The apathy is palpable – politicians of all colours are not doing what they should: serving the public.
I have no political axe to grind. I have lobbied politicians from all the parties and, while they make the right noises by all saying that they are committed to fixing the problems, years down the line, it’s the results that count. Yet there have been no results.
Our politicians need to fix this. If not, they should consider their positions. The time for excuses, platitudes, finger pointing, reviews and false promises is over.
If they cannot fix this, in a situation where all the political parties are in agreement, there is something seriously wrong.
Jamie Black,
29 Cardwell Road,
Gourock.
I QUESTION the advisability of converting the Queensferry Crossing, with only two lanes (albeit plus a hard shoulder) to full motorway status, permitting speeds of 70mph.
In wet weather, the stopping distance (based on time to think, react and brake) can increase from 110 metres at 50mph to 150 metres at 60mph and to 200 metres at 70mph.
It can probably be even longer on the downward slope.
Without trucks and buses, it may possibly be safer than other two-lane motorways and dual carriageways, but it still seems an unnecessary risk on a bridge.
There have been several recent examples of the total mayhem caused by high-speed motorway accidents.
I wonder whether limits of 50mph on the inside lane and 60mph on the outside lane were considered.
John Birkett,
12 Horseleys Park,
St Andrews.
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