Future of Renfrew Ferry under threat

ONE of Scotland's oldest surviving ferry services could be scrapped because of a budget shortfall, it emerged today.

• The Renfrew Ferry faces an uncertain future

The Renfrew Ferry, which crosses the Clyde between Renfrew and Yoker, may be cut to save money.

The service is operated by Strathclyde Partnership for Transport and carries more than 140,000 passengers each year.

But the transport firm today said the ferry could go as it seeks to address a 2.5 million budget shortfall.

An SPT spokeswoman 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 2.5 million pounds. To that end we are looking at every line of our budget including our current subsidies to bus, subway and ferry services.

"No final decisions have been made nor will be made until SPT's special budget meeting on the 22nd of January."

The shortfall is blamed partly on rising costs and fewer passengers on the ferries.

John Robertson, Labour MP for Glasgow North West, said: "It's yet another example of the SNP-led Scottish Executive being anti-Glasgow and not funding transport. There is clearly no place for Glasgow in the SNP's Scotland."

A ferry has operated between Renfrew on the south side of the Clyde and Yoker on the north for 500 years.

Boats can carry 50 passengers but rarely have more than 12 people on one trip.