GREENOCK-born MSP Jamie Greene has called for Scottish Government ministers to provide an urgent update after around a fifth of CalMac’s fleet was hit by service withdrawals within the space of a week.

The operator's oldest ferry, MV Isle of Cumbrae, was side lined on Monday afternoon – having already undergone repairs on Friday last week.

MV Loch Buie, MV Lochinvar, MV Loch Shira and MV Isle of Lewis were also withdrawn from their respective routes in recent days, with MV Caledonian Isles remaining out of service until at least late August after the company received a £5 million repair bill for rust.

CalMac is currently awaiting delivery of two ferries being built at Ferguson Marine in Port Glasgow.

Greenock Telegraph: Glen SannoxGlen Sannox (Image: George Munro)

Last month, it was confirmed that the first of the two vessels - MV Glen Sannox - had been hit with a further delay and would not be handed over to Caledonian Maritime Assets Ltd (CMAL) until July 31.

West Scotland Conservative MSP Mr Greene has now lodged an urgent question to ministers about the mass ferry failure.

He has demanded that the Scottish Government deliver an update on the impact of breakdowns on passengers and island communities, and how it can be alleviated.

Mr Greene said: “Island communities are well used to delays and disruption on the ferry network by now, but this spate of breakdowns is of another magnitude.

Greenock Telegraph: Jamie Greene MSPJamie Greene MSP (Image: Newsquest)

“Any spare capacity or resilience which remained in the network has now been decimated.

“Further breakdowns could result in island communities being left without transport links to the mainland.

“Ministers must urgently set out to islanders how they plan to alleviate the devastating pressure that the SNP’s chronic underinvestment has put the ferry network under.

“That is why I have lodged an urgent question, so that ministers can provide the explanation, and hopefully the answers, that islanders need.”