SOUTH Ayrshire Council leader Bill McIntosh has revealed that the ABP Troon ferry bid has ‘unanimous support’ meanwhile, SNP Councillor Nan McFarlane believes moving the ferry from Ardrossan has ‘nothing to do with deprivation’.

Conservative and council leader Bill McIntosh told the Troon Times: “The outcome of our meeting was of unanimous support from all members to write to Transport Minister Humza Yousaf in support of the ABP bid. 

“Support from the council is across all political parties.”

The announcement of support for the ABP Troon ferry bid has came as North Ayrshire councillors including SNP’s Willie Gibson is backing the campaign to keep the ferry in Ardrossan.

Ardrossan is one of the most deprived areas in Scotland and Troon SNP councillor who supports moving the ferry to Troon insists the move is nothing to do with deprivation but is a commercial decision.

She said: “We have deprived areas in Troon.

“Ardrossan has been deprived for decades and what have they done about it? The ferry being there or not won’t change that.

“This is a commercial decision. The bid has no bearing on deprivation. The new ships will be too big for the mouth of the Ardrossan harbour. 

“Troon has better connectivity, however, I would be disappointed if the SNP group up north weren’t campaigning to keep it in Ardrossan.

“It is territorial. They are doing what is best for their area as we are for ours. 

“The ferry service would benefit more in Troon than it would in Ardrossan.”