Railfuture Scotland want to see the station much closer to the new maritime hub as shown in this artist’s impression.
A national campaigning organisation has demanded that the rail connection to the Arran ferry be an integral part of the multi-million improvement works planned for Ardrossan habour.
As reported in last week’s Banner, the governmentled Ardrossan Harbour Taskforce has chosen its preferred design option for the harbour upgrade which will see the current Arran ferry berth realigned and a new terminal building constructed.
Railfuture Scotland has written to transport minister Humza Yousaf welcoming the upgrade, but urging that the opportunity be taken to right the wrong done over 30 years ago when the then Ardrossan Winton Pier station, adjacent to the ferry berth, was closed and a new rail terminus, Ardrossan Harbour, constructed some 200 yards further back up the line, meaning a longer walk for foot passengers from train to boat.
Jane Ann Liston, secretary of Railfuture Scotland explained: ‘The justification for this was apparently to ensure no conflict between the electric overhead wires and lorries reversing off a proposed new ferry from the Isle of Man or Northern Ireland, though ironically this new service never actually materialised.