Published: Wednesday, 13th January, 2010 2:32pm
Prepare to fight to save historic ferry
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By Jennifer Black
SCRAPPED?: The Renfrew-Yoker Ferry
THE historic Renfrew Ferry's days are numbered as SPT are proposing to shut it.
The Gazette reported in December that the ferry was under threat as transport bosses need to cut costs.
And now plans to scrap the service have been leaked before an important SPT budget meeting on Friday January 22.
However Renfrew councillors have united in the fight to keep the vital service which links the town with Yoker.
Renfrewshire Council leader Derek Mackay condemned the move and called on SPT to think again.
Mr Mackay said: "The Renfrew Ferry is a well-established service for Renfrew.
"I know that SPT face budget pressures, but they have picked the wrong target in proposing to scrap the Renfrew Ferry, it is not a luxury, it is an essential service.
"Renfrewshire Council funds the transport body and I will be making our opposition to the proposal to terminate the ferry clear in no uncertain terms."
Renfrew North councillor Bill Perrie said: "I am outraged by this proposal from the Labour-led SPT.
"On hearing of this proposal we will be launching a public campaign to save the Renfrew Ferry.
"We subsidise the underground, so surely a subsidy can continue for the ferry."
Renfrew South councillor Cathy McEwan added: "The Renfrew Ferry is very well used, and is a lifeline across the river Clyde.
"If the Labour chairman of the transport authority thinks that Renfrew will lose the ferry without a fight, then he is wrong."
Labour councillor for Renfrew North Alex Murrin spoke out on their opposition. He said: "We are appalled at the proposal to cut this vital link between Renfrew and Yoker.
"The ferry serves nearly 150,000 passengers every year.
"Scrapping the Ferry will mean more traffic and longer journeys."
Fellow Labour councillors Mary Fee and Eddie Grady have also written to SPT asking to withdraw the River Clyde service from their budget proposals.
When approached SPT's chair councillor Alistair Watson could not confirm the ferry's future.
He said: "SPT, like many other local government agencies and local councils, is facing severe financial problems.
"For next year's budget we have to find savings of £2.5million pounds.
"To that end we are looking at every line of our budget including our current subsidies to bus, Subway and ferry services.
"It is wrong to say the Renfrew Ferry is to be closed.
"No final decisions have been made nor will be made until SPT's special budget meeting on the 22nd of January."
