How can the Stranraer line be made more useful/less useless?

[Bill57p9]

Electrification and frequency upgrade to Girvan but closure south thereof would probably be a pragmatic solution. Buses (ideally electric) could operate between Girvan and Stranraer/Cairnryan integrated to the timetable. This would probably be better for everyone as an hourly bus would likely be feasible.

With regret (the line south of Girvan is a little known scenic gem) I do agree.

I suspect an hourly express bus Girvan - Stranraer would be quicker than the train too, and as you say, could also serve Cairnryan (and Loch Ryan port at the other end of the village).

The extant RailSail Ayr - Cairnryan service has been reduced to only one per day and passes Girvan station ( I can understand why Ayr is a more appealing interchange than Girvan currently with half hourly direct services to/from Glasgow).

 

[Transilien]

The key difference is that this line lost its main purpose when the ferries moved.

Therefore, the main way to save the Stranraer line would be to move the ferries back to the station. It’s probably impossible to do that though.

 

[35B]

Therefore, the main way to save the Stranraer line would be to move the ferries back to the station. It’s probably impossible to do that though.

That also raises the question of why the ferries exist, and what needs the different transport modes serve. Forcing a move of the ferries to support (an already highly unprofitable) railway feels a little like the tail wagging the dog

 

[Bill57p9]

Therefore, the main way to save the Stranraer line would be to move the ferries back to the station. It’s probably impossible to do that though.

The ferries moved for valid commercial reasons, primarily reducing the crossing time.
The operators are not looking for ways to increase that!

 

[Elwyn]

The ferries moved for valid commercial reasons, primarily reducing the crossing time.
The operators are not looking for ways to increase that!

Therefore, the main way to save the Stranraer line would be to move the ferries back to the station. It’s probably impossible to do that though.

Stranraer harbour is comparatively shallow and does not suit the bigger modern vessels. Regular dredging would be required and that makes no sense when Cairnryan does not need dredging. Stena also save 20 minutes each way by using Cairnryan rather than Stranraer.

The days of foot passengers travelling to Stranraer by train to join ferries in significant numbers are gone. Stranraer will never be a ferry port again and train connections for ferries will not be required there either.

 

[Strathclyder]

Electrification and frequency upgrade to Girvan but closure south thereof would probably be a pragmatic solution. Buses (ideally electric) could operate between Girvan and Stranraer/Cairnryan integrated to the timetable. This would probably be better for everyone as an hourly bus would likely be feasible.

With regret (the line south of Girvan is a little known scenic gem) I do agree.

I suspect an hourly express bus Girvan - Stranraer would be quicker than the train too, and as you say, could also serve Cairnryan (and Loch Ryan port at the other end of the village).

The extant RailSail Ayr - Cairnryan service has been reduced to only one per day and passes Girvan station ( I can understand why Ayr is a more appealing interchange than Girvan currently with half hourly direct services to/from Glasgow).

That could very well be feasible and the least worst option when it comes to alternatives in a post-south of Girvan closure scenario, but it would require a level of joined up thinking & operation that hasn't existed between public transport modes - or isn't nearly as widespread as it should be - in Scotland for as long as I can remember, regardless of a plan's feasibility. So I can't shake my cynicism on this topic, am afraid.

 

[Bletchleyite]

That could very well be feasible and the least worst option when it comes to alternatives in a post-south of Girvan closure scenario, but it would require a level of joined up thinking & operation that hasn't existed between public transport modes - or isn't nearly as widespread as it should be - in Scotland for as long as I can remember regardless of a plan's feasibility, so I can't shake my cynicism on this am afraid.

I must admit it does surprise me that Scotland hasn't considered following Wales in regulating the bus service nationally. It would allow for proper integration like this.

 

[Sir Felix Pole]

Stranraer harbour is comparatively shallow and does not suit the bigger modern vessels. Regular dredging would be required and that makes no sense when Cairnryan does not need dredging. Stena also save 20 minutes each way by using Cairnryan rather than Stranraer.

The days of foot passengers travelling to Stranraer by train to join ferries in significant numbers are gone. Stranraer will never be a ferry port again and train connections for ferries will not be required there either.

And if you travel by Stena the arrangements at the Belfast end are not ideal either - you have to faff around waiting to take the bus to the city-centre. A lot of the remaining foot passengers use Hannon's coaches which provide a twice daily through service Glasgow - Belfast and v.v.

 

[Class15]

I must admit it does surprise me that Scotland hasn't considered following Wales in regulating the bus service nationally. It would allow for proper integration like this.

I’m not trying to prove you wrong as I genuinely have no idea, but what makes you think they haven’t considered it?

 

[Bletchleyite]

I’m not trying to prove you wrong as I genuinely have no idea, but what makes you think they haven’t considered it?

It might have done, I more mean why they haven't decided to do it!

One for another thread to delve into it, but it would make stuff like this easier.

 

[Rescars]

That also raises the question of why the ferries exist, and what needs the different transport modes serve.

For an answer to your question, just look at the volume of freight on the A75 and A76, both of which are mainly single carriageway with sparse opportunities for overtaking. Oh how the motorist's heart sinks coming off the motorway at Carlisle and seeing the sign at the start of the single carriageway: Stranraer 95 miles! With the Port Road long gone sadly there are no reasonable alternatives for reaching Stranraer from the south. It would be regrettable indeed if those heading down from Girvan were to suffer a similar absence of choice.

 

[35B]

For an answer to your question, just look at the volume of freight on the A75 and A76, both of which are mainly single carriageway with sparse opportunities for overtaking. Oh how the motorist's heart sinks coming off the motorway at Carlisle and seeing the sign at the start of the single carriageway: Stranraer 95 miles! With the Port Road long gone sadly there are no reasonable alternatives for reaching Stranraer from the south. It would be regrettable indeed if those heading down from Girvan were to suffer a similar absence of choice.

I can't see that as an argument for the existing line - the railway's been an irrelevance for freight to the North Channel for my whole lifetime, so the ferries are serving a need that the railway simply doesn't meet.

 

[The exile]

For an answer to your question, just look at the volume of freight on the A75 and A76, both of which are mainly single carriageway with sparse opportunities for overtaking. Oh how the motorist's heart sinks coming off the motorway at Carlisle and seeing the sign at the start of the single carriageway: Stranraer 95 miles! With the Port Road long gone sadly there are no reasonable alternatives for reaching Stranraer from the south. It would be regrettable indeed if those heading down from Girvan were to suffer a similar absence of choice.

The only thing is, presumably, that that freight is heading for Cairnryan - not Stranraer (any more).