COUNCILLORS have voiced their frustration at the decision not to explore alternative options for the refurbishment of Cumbrae's ferry slipway.

An online public consultation on the plans, drawn up by Caledonian Maritime Assets Ltd (CMAL), ended on Wednesday, July 19.

An in-person event was also held on Cumbrae to find out island residents' views.

CMAL is planning to rebuild the Cumbrae slip on its existing location, with work starting next year.

The company says the rebuilt slipway will have an operating life of 60 years.

During the works, a temporary slipway will be sited south of the current ramp, to allow the island’s ferry service to continue operating.

The only option presented to islanders during the consultation was to revamp the current slipway and remove the temporary structure following completion of the works.

However, North Coast independent councillor Ian Murdoch said he was disappointed that no other options were explored, including siting a new slip elsewhere on the island to improve resilience.

He explained: “I asked CMAL directly if they had explored other sites for a new slip, and the answer was that they had not.

“I can’t understand why a company of that size would only concentrate on the status quo, and not look at other options.

“Fair enough if they had looked at other sites and determined that the current one was best, but to not even look is very disappointing.”

Fellow ward councillor Todd Ferguson, who lives on Cumbrae, admits the lack of proper consultation over the slip revamp was “frightening”.

He said: “I’ve not been impressed with CMAL’s whole process, and it feels like they are not really consulting the community at all.

“They’re basically telling the island what they are planning to do, rather than us actually having a voice in the decision.

“It’s quite frightening to be honest. For people that live here the slip is so vitally important, but no other options were considered.

“They haven’t explored anything else. It just seems to be about how the slip can be replaced in the quickest and cheapest fashion.”

A spokesperson from CMAL said: “There is one emerging preferred option that was presented to the public during the consultation event.

“No final decision will be made until all the feedback has been thoroughly analysed and shared with the community.”