Published: Wednesday, 27th January, 2010 4:55pm

'The fight is not over' vow ferry campaigners

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By Rosalyn Campbell

LOCAL residents and politicians have vowed to fight SPT's decision to axe the Renfrew ferry.

The withdrawal of the Renfrew to Yoker ferry service - which has been around in some form for 500 years - was decided at SPT's budget meeting on Friday.

SPT chair Alistair Watson said: "The decision to close the Renfrew ferry was not an easy one and we recognise that it has served communities across the Clyde very well for a long time.

"SPT is making a loss of £430,000 each year to keep the ferry running. That is simply unsustainable."

Across Renfrewshire the decision was condemned by business people, local residents and politicians alike.

Local MSP Wendy Alexander blasted: "I am tired of seeing Renfrewshire ripped off. First it was GARL axed, now it is the ferry."

She has an online petition against the ferry's closure that has gathered nearly 3,000 signatures in just five days, and will also write to the transport minister this week.

Renfrewshire council leader Derek Mackay said: "We are extremely disappointed at the outcome and at how councillors outwith Renfrewshire have deprived us of this service.

"But the fight goes on - the ferry is not sunk yet and we will keep on campaigning."

He added that Renfrewshire Council would be working with local people to take the campaign to the next level.

Councillor Marie McGurk, Renfrewshire Council's representative on SPT, slammed the decision as 'economically, socially and environmentally unjustified'.

She said: "I can assure the tens of thousands of people who use the Renfrew Ferry that Renfrewshire Council will do all we can to reverse this decision by bringing forward practical proposals for a renewed and effective service."

Renfrew campaigner Liz Grant said that her daily commute would be 45 minutes longer both ways if the ferry was axed.

She added: "And for the community it would be a big loss.

"The Renfrew Ferry has been in operation for many years and is a valued and used method of transport in the town, linking Renfrew with Clydebank and the facilities that can be found there."

Meanwhile, businessman Murray Roxburgh is looking into the possibility of replacing the ferry with a privately run service.

He said: "We are looking at the operation of a river taxi style service which as well as operating the Yoker Renfrew crossing could also operate a service into Glasgow City Centre.

"I believe we can put together a service that pays for itself and provides a vital link across the river."