Kilcreggan’s historic pier will continue to be manned until at least the end of October.
The announcement by Argyll and Bute Council was made today (Monday), following months of uncertainty after SPT awarded Clydelink the contract for the subsidised ferry service to Gourock.
Unlike previous operators Clyde Marine, whose bid they had undercut by nearly £200,000 a year, Clydelink said they did not need Kilcreggan’s pier to be manned.
The risk to pier staff’s jobs first emerged in February, and in recent weeks their fate has been uncertain – especially after barriers were controversially installed on the 115 year-old listed building.
But today a council spokesperson said: “I can confirm a decision has been made and the harbourmaster’s contract has been extended until at least the end of October.”
Meanwhile, members of the Kilcreggan ferry users group will update community councillors about other issues – these include service being disrupted after MCA intervention, timetable changes, and the work on the pier.
A spokesperson for the group said: “It’s good news that the pier will be manned, at least for another few months, but a lot of other problems remain – and more have emerged recently.
“The ferry service and pier are vital for Cove and Kilcreggan, and we urge the public to attend the meeting at 7.30pm in Cove Burgh Hall this Tuesday (August 14th).”
What we need to know is the proposed ongoing role of the Piermaster. Since 1st April this has been solely as an observer of the berthing by the operator. This is a ludicrous situation since a direct role in tying up the “four” ropes would surely speed up the turnaround and thereby possible avoid any change in the ferry timetable.