Peel Ports, the owner and operator of Ardrossan harbour, is to commission an independent marine consultant to carry out a detailed comparison with Troon to strengthen the case for retaining the existing ferry service to Arran.
An aerial view of the Port of Troon which is fighting for the Arran ferry route.
The initiative is part of the campaign to keep the ferry service operating between Ardrossan and Brodick, which has attracted widespread support on the island and from local people, businesses and politicians throughout North Ayrshire after a substantial bid by Associated British Ports (ABP) to move the service to the Port of Troon.