HARBOUR chiefs determined to dock cruise ships in Greenock and bring thousands of people ashore amid the coronavirus crisis have refused to answer a wave of public concern.

Peel Ports have also not responded to a letter sent to their chief executive from his Inverclyde Council opposite number highlighting the local authority's fears about the proposal during the current 'unprecedented situation'.

The Telegraph put a series of questions to Peel seeking detail on what health and safety measures would be put in place and if it was still their intention to push ahead with the plan.

But our email was not even acknowledged.

When we followed it up two days later a Peel spokeswoman simply said: "We have no comment to issue."

The snub comes despite significant public opposition and questions over the plan.

Meanwhile, a council report set to go before elected members on Monday confirmed that Peel has failed to reply to local authority chief executive Aubrey Fawcett either.

Corporate director of environment, regeneration and resources, Scott Allan, said that 'a reply had not been received at the time the report was written' — and that contact between Peel and the council is being maintained only at a 'local level'.

Peel is looking to lay-up between four and 12 ships at various locations around the Clyde and use Greenock as the servicing port to disembark crew members for onward travel to transport hubs — including Glasgow Airport — and repatriation.

The ships would also discharge waste here and take on supplies, then remain on the Clyde with around 150 permanent crew onboard.

But they would arrive with up to 600 personnel.

Mr Allan stated last week that the move to use Greenock appears to be profit-driven.

He said: "In this instance we understand that vessels are laying up at their existing location and are not 'at sea' with any necessity or immediate need of port facilities.

"Rather the choice of lay over location is a matter of commercial advantage."

SNP group leader Chris McEleny said: "I believe that upwards of £50,000 per vessel can be charged for what has been requested.

"This may be the answer to the question, 'Why Greenock?' when there are other ports available in areas that have not been as badly hit by the coronavirus."

NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde, council chiefs and elected members from across the political divide are opposed to what Peel is seeking to do.

The Scottish Government has the power to suspend port activities but First Minister Nicola Sturgeon failed to state her position on the matter when pressed by the Telegraph during a live coronavirus update on television last week.

Officials refused this week to answer a direct question as to whether they would step in to halt the Peel Ports move.

The Scottish Government said it was 'continuing to work closely' with the council and health bodies but did not mention any direct contact with Peel.

It now appears that it has not been involved in any meeting since before a gathering of the council's policy and resources executive sub-committee on May 6.

A spokesperson said: "The Scottish Government was represented at a multi-disciplinary meeting which took place prior to the council meeting when we advised on the health protection considerations to be taken into account.

"The proposal is for a small number of vessels to arrive with only crew on board, some of whom may require to be repatriated.

"This would be carried out in line with health protection advice.

"Vessels would then take on stores and be anchored with a skeleton crew staying on board.

"This has occurred already in other ports around the UK including the Firth of Forth.

"Well established protocol exists to allow local councils, who are responsible for port health incidents, to effectively prevent any spread of coronavirus.

"There are procedures on declarations of health for vessels arriving in Scottish ports and also procedures to be followed in the case of any disembarkation being required from the vessels."

In his letter to Peel's Mr Whitworth, council boss Mr Fawcett told him: "During this time of pandemic it wouldn't be appropriate to put a significant number of people into one location which has the potential to put strain on our public health services."

Councillors have been advised that the UK Government's decision introduce a 14-day quarantine for people entering Britain could prove significant.

Corporate director Mr Allan said: "The situation however may now be influenced by the recent statement from central government concerning a 14-day quarantine for all people entering the UK from non-exempt countries.

"Initially this statement was in respect of air travel but appeared to be extended to all 'points of entry' during the Prime Minister question time in parliament.

"Clearly [council] officers will need to review guidance on this when it is issued and thereafter provide advice in respect of the port in Greenock."