Sir,
While welcoming the news that Peel Ports plan to make a significant investment to improve Ardrossan harbour, I agree with John Cruickshank, in his letter in last week’s Banner, that the priority should be to ensure a reduction in ferry cancellations attributed to adverse weather conditions.
I have read that the cost of an extended breakwater to the south is considered prohibitive, but do not know if a reliable estimate of the length, situation and cost of such a structure has been obtained. Clearly there are wind strengths which prevent sailings from any port, but I hope I am not naïve in presuming that the Government report comparing the two harbour options will have included an analysis of the wind strengths and directions which led to cancellations at Ardrossan which could have been avoided by greater protection of the harbour entrance.