Ardrossan Harbour Task Force reviews redevelopment plans after CMAL public engagement

The Ardrossan Harbour Task Force met last week to discuss the next steps for redeveloping the Firth of Clyde port, Transport Scotland said, seven months after Caledonian Maritime Assets Ltd (CMAL) bought it from Peel Ports Group.

The meeting was co-chaired by Stephen Flynn, Cabinet Secretary for Economy, Tourism and Transport, and covered progress on the redevelopment and the group's role in supporting its delivery, according to Transport Scotland.

Members also discussed feedback from the public engagement event CMAL held in Ardrossan the day before, which gathered local views on the developing proposals. CMAL's event listing gives the date of that session as Wednesday 28 October at Ardrossan Civic Hall.

Flynn said: "Public ownership of the harbour allows us to deliver the investments needed to modernise the facility, ensuring it meets the long-term needs of communities and businesses on both sides of the route."

The essential works

Flynn said CMAL had recently completed a programme of essential works to support the continued operation of ferry services from Ardrossan.

CMAL handed the ferry terminal back to CalMac on 8 October after George Leslie Limited completed the repair and maintenance package. The works included 11 new berthing fenders at the Arran Berth and temporary inspection and work platforms on the Arran Berth linkspan dolphins.

CMAL said it is considering one additional fender at the eastern end of Winton Pier, to be planned with CalMac.

Kevin Hobbs, Chief Executive of CMAL, said: "Feedback from local communities is an important part of this process, and the views gathered at our public engagement sessions will help inform the scope and phasing of future works."

From purchase to harbour authority

CMAL completed the purchase of Ardrossan Harbour on behalf of the Scottish Government on 18 March 2026. The acquisition from Peel Ports Group includes the full harbour area, the Arran and Irish berths, linkspans, car park and marshalling area, part of the boatyard land and the approach road.

At the time, CMAL said full redevelopment plans would be confirmed after planning and stakeholder engagement. Fiona Hyslop, then Cabinet Secretary for Transport, said the government was committed to funding a two-port service until the major works begin.

CMAL became Statutory Harbour Authority for Ardrossan from 00:01 on 17 June 2026 after Scottish Ministers granted a Harbour Revision Order. The company said the change did not alter ferry operations.

Transport Scotland's project FAQ records that the Irish Berth was permanently closed in February 2024, and that MV Glen Sannox has operated on the Troon to Brodick route since entering service in January 2025. The FAQ also says the project's scope and cost have been under review for a number of years.

Closure, procurement and cost

Papers from the Task Force's 3 March 2026 meeting set out the delivery picture engineers will be working to. CMAL told the group the harbour would be closed during the major redevelopment works because of the scale of what is required, with a closure period of up to 2.5 years.

The same papers said procurement was around 12 to 15 months away and that works could reasonably be expected to start in 2027. The Task Force was told funding for the purchase and immediate upgrade works sits within the Ferries Budget and Capital Spending Review.

In a freedom of information response, the Scottish Government said the redevelopment works are expected to take around two years to complete and that costs can only be confirmed once design work has progressed and a contract has been agreed.

Tony Gurney, Leader of North Ayrshire Council, who was welcomed as Task Force co-chair at the March meeting, said the chosen solution must deliver a sustainable long-term future for the port, protect its strategic importance and provide a reliable ferry service for residents, businesses and visitors.

What happens next

CMAL's engagement sessions cover the approach to the harbour's marine design, the terminal building, site layout and accessible design. Representatives from CMAL, CalMac, Transport Scotland and the project design team attend, and CMAL said feedback will help inform the developing design and project requirements.

The second session, in Brodick, was rescheduled because of adverse weather and will now take place at Ormidale Pavilion on Tuesday 10 November 2026.