Other groups who have not yet been consulted are to be asked for their thoughts on a suggestion that a basic hourly timetable - now being referred to as an 'integrated' service - be introduced between 11am and 4pm.

Bute Community Council heard commuters, hauliers, farmers and coach operators all wanted to keep the morning timetable as at present up to the 9.30am sailing from Rothesay but changes between 11am and the start of the evening peak were thought to be acceptable.

The community council's transport representative, Frank Baxter, told members that three sets of discussions had taken place with users of the Caledonian MacBrayne service since BCC's last full meeting in November.

"Overall there is satisfaction with the timetable and the service," Mr Baxter said, "although there is concern at poor communication during periods of disruption and a desire for earlier and later sailings at weekends.

"All groups stated that sailings up to and including the 9.30am from Rothesay were vital - the general consensus was that a change between 11am and 4pm would be acceptable to all."

The community council has also begun talks aimed at changing train times to improve connections at Wemyss Bay - though they were warned not to expect too much.

"I tried all that," local Argyll and Bute councillor Len Scoullar told the meeting, "and I got an absolute point blank 'no'.

"I was told that trains running through Gilmour Street would not be altered because of that station being an interchange, so don't hold out hope."

BCC is to consider publishing a simple one-page questionnaire asking members of the public for their views on a draft proposal to alter the timetable between 11am and 4pm.

Any local organisation which has yet to be consulted, and would like to offer a view on the suggested change, can do so by contacting BCC secretary Peter Wallace on info@peter-wallace.org.uk or at 9 Prospect Terrace, Rothesay, Isle of Bute PA20 0JS.

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