ONLY a third of respondents to a survey on the future of the Gourock-Dunoon ferry service use it as their main source of travel between Inverclyde and Cowal.

A total of 600 people took part in the survey, which did not involve the handing out of questionnaires to passengers onboard the vessels.

The exercise was instead conducted exclusively online.

Just 200 of the respondents said they used the passenger-only service more often than the vehicle-carrying vessels operated between McInroy's Point and Hunters Quay by Western Ferries.

The survey — run by Caledonian Maritime Assets Ltd (CMAL) — came after the Scottish Government had already decided against the reintroduction of car ferries between Gourock and Dunoon.

Kevin Hobbs, chief executive of government-owned vessel procurement and harbours quango CMAL, said: "We want to ensure ferry users and the local community are actively engaged in this project.

"The survey feedback has given us up-to-date insight into the ways people are using the service and we will use it to inform the development of the harbours and towards the design process for the new vessels."

The current vessels operated by Caledonian MacBrayne have racked up several thousand cancelled sailings since they replaced more robust vehicle ferries nine years ago.

Included in the CMAL survey findings were reference to reliability of service - and the main reason for using CalMac was for access to the Gourock railhead and other public transport.

Other people cited the need to use a vehicle as the main reason for using the Western route.

The survey also found that 52 per cent of people continue their journey by car after using the ferry, while 34 per cent take the train or bus.

Nearly half of respondents, 46 per cent, who use a car said they would be more encouraged to use public transport if the ferry service was more reliable.

CMAL boss Mr Hobbs said: "We know reliability is a key passenger issue and recognise that the Gourock-to-Dunoon service has been severely impacted by infrastructure problems, including a linkspan outage, due to its age and need for upgrade.

"As an essential service, passengers need to have confidence the ferries will operate efficiently.

"This project will bring much-needed investment to ferry services in the coming years and we look forward to further engaging with the community on progress."