A newly-imposed weight restriction on the linkspan at Gourock could hit commercial traffic trying to get to and from Arran if the ferry is diverted to the port of refuge during inclement weather.
The notice of the downgrade, which was announced last week, has already presented problems for hauliers and animal transporters during the recent storm Callum when sailings from Rothesay to Wemyss Bay were diverted to Gourock – the main alternative port for sailings from Rothesay and Ardrossan – and CalMac advised that HGVs would not be carried.
With the long-term forecast predicting particularly bad weather this winter – owing to a larger than average shift in the Gulf Stream – there is potential for severe disruption.