‘Significant work’ will probably be needed ay Helensburgh pier before the Waverley can visit the town again.
The news from Argyll and Bute Council came after the paddle steamer’s provisional spring timetable was published, with no calls scheduled for Helensburgh but two for Kilcreggan.
It is now four months since a Notice to Mariners announced the closure of the 147 year-old pier, during which time the council has given the go-ahead for its £19m waterfront project which will see a new leisure centre built but has no provision for rescuing the pier itself.
An Argyll and Bute spokesperson said this week: “The specialist timber testing that was being undertaken by Evova BM Trada, in December, is now complete.
“Initial findings are positive, in that the core of the timber is in reasonable shape, although we expect significant work will be required to allow vessels the size of the Waverley to berth. We are now awaiting the final report.
“The findings from the timber survey, along with those of Arch Henderson, will be considered as part of the structural analysis being carried out by the council’s design services team and an update will be provided to the harbour board.”
Timeline of Helensburgh pier’s closure:
- October 16: A Notice to Mariners is issued, closing Helensburgh pier; Argyll and Bute Council says this followed advice by consultants Arch Henderson, whose report would be considered by at the next meeting of the harbour board.
- November 3: A packed public meeting in Helensburgh hears that the survey report which led to the closure is not available, and calls the council to work with the Helensburgh Seafront Development Project to secure the pier’s future.
- December 14: The council releases the Arch Henderson report following a Freedom of Information request by this website
- December 15: Argyll and Bute issues a statement saying says it is holding talks with HSDP and Waverley Excursions about the future of the pier. It adds that specialist contractor Evova BM Trada is testing the timber section of the pier; their report and the Arch Henderson survey will then be used for a structural analysis to ascertain the load-bearing capacity of the pier. All this was expected to be completed by February.
- February 25: The council says it is still waiting for Evova BM Trada’s final report.
- March 7: The council’s harbour board is finally due to meet, after December and January meetings were cancelled.
- May 23: PS Waverley’s 2019 sailings begin
What is likely to become of Helensbugh pier?
We will have community led discussions about possible repair but it will be reported as “all too difficult and too expensive” there will be more reports and nothing will be done.
The final nail will be when the pier is deemed too dangerous and closed to pedestrians. Then we have a replica of Craigendoran and Garelochhead piers.