To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide a further update on plans for the redevelopment of Ardrossan harbour. (S6O-03651)

In my response to the motion debated in the Scottish Parliament last week, on 20 June, I confirmed that

“we have been progressing the Ardrossan business case and cost exercise”,

and that it is

“substantially complete”.—[Official Report, 20 June 2024; c 40.]

Transport Scotland is working with partners to finalise the exercise, and any updates on the project will not be until after the pre-election period.

Ardrossan has been the main port to Arran for 190 years, as it is the shortest and quickest route. Humza Yousaf signed off its redevelopment in 2018, but six years of delays, for successive reasons, means that ferries will now be running from Troon. Will the cabinet secretary ensure that there is a final announcement in July, with a plan for the redevelopment of Ardrossan harbour?

Not just Katy Clark but Kenneth Gibson, as the local MSP, as well as others, have repeatedly made the case for Ardrossan, and I absolutely understand that. It is essential to get the substantial investment that is required, and that a robust business case is set out that meets all the requirements for good decision making. I understand the frustrations not just of the people of Arran but of the people of Campbeltown, who want the situation to be resolved, but I have been and will continue to be clear and open, and I will talk with partners on the task force as soon as it is practically possible to do so.

An undignified public spat is taking place between Peel Ports and CalMac at the moment, which is symptomatic of wider issues and a breakdown in relationships between stakeholders across the marine network.

Instead of rebuilding berths and ports, the Government should be rebuilding relationships among stakeholders. What is the cabinet secretary doing to intervene in the matter to ensure that stakeholders are working together for the greater good and for the benefit of our island communities?

I take that point very seriously indeed. The success of any development would indeed involve partners working collaboratively together. I reassure the member that we had a very constructive task force meeting in May—I think that it was in May, but I will correct the record on the date—that provided an opportunity for everybody to understand the progress made and the elements that still had to be resolved. That, I think, is evidence of my personal involvement with the task force to take forward the project.