A LOCAL MSP has hit out at transport bosses for taking more than a month to reply to urgent fears he expressed about a ferry service.

Stuart McMillan yesterday received a response letter from Strathclyde Partnership for Transport to his letter, dated 19 April, in which he raised a number of issues in relation to the Gourock to Kilcreggan ferry route.

Mr McMillan wrote to SPT asking them to investigate the concerns of his constituents who have highlighted disruptions, such as cancellations and limited passenger numbers.

The west of Scotland MSP said: "Firstly, let me say I am unimpressed with the delay in receiving the response from SPT and find much of the content to be unacceptable in the face of numerous safety issues being raised by my constituents.

"The volume of emails, social media messages and phone calls I have received from constituents on both sides of the Clyde leads me to believe that something must be amiss with the current Gourock to Kilcreggan ferry service." Mr McMillan added: "I am in no doubt my constituents will be somewhat dismayed to read that SPT believe the issues are 'teething problems'.

"Therefore, I intend making my constituents aware of SPT's response and will be further contacting the organisation, as I do not feel my constituent's views have been addressed." In the letter of response to Mr McMillan, SPT's assistant chief executive, Eric Stewart, said some problems relating to the Island Princess, which operates on the crossing, had incurred contractual penalties.

Mr Stewart also revealed ferry operator Clydelink has no obligations to have a back-up vessel and that plans are afoot for refurbishment work of the Island Princess.