Works to help the Waverley berth at the west side of Helensburgh’s pier have been estimated to cost £250,000 – and the cost may be needed annually.
Argyll and Bute Council has admitted that it does not know where funding will come from to implement any measures to bring the iconic paddle steamer back to the town.
It has, however, allocated £85,000 of town centre funding to ensure the pier is made safe for pedestrians, and only an estimated £60,000 of the money is thought to be needed.
The £250,000 figure was laid bare in a late report submitted for a meeting of Argyll and Bute Harbour Board last week.
The document also states that the option of berthing the vessel to the west side, which would involve dredging work, was labelled ‘not ideal’ in meetings with Helensburgh Seafront Development Project and Waverley Excursions Ltd.
The Waverley was ruled out of coming to Helensburgh in 2019 in April due to the condition of the pier, resulting in a public protest at the pier later that month.
It proved academic, though, as the ship was later taken out of service for the year altogether due to required boiler repairs.
The report, by executive director with responsibility for roads and infrastructure Pippa Milne, said: “The option to dredge and berth the Waverley to the west side of the pier was discussed at some length with Waverley Trust.
“From discussions, it was clear that although this option was workable, it was not considered as ideal; as such, this option of berthing on the west side of the pier was likely to be much more weather dependent than the existing approach to the east side.
“Calculations have now been completed, and related work is likely to cost in the region of £250,000.
“In addition, it is likely that regular maintenance dredging would be required with this option. So, commitment of revenue funding would be ongoing in future years.
“It should be noted that funding has not been identified for any of the options referred to in this report other than making the pier safe for pedestrian use at £85,000.
“Design work will be carried out in-house with a view to issuing a tender for appropriate works later this year.”
Other options for work on the pier were previously presented to Helensburgh and Lomond area committee in June.
Major repairs to the timber pier, reinstating all damage sections, are thought to cost around £850,000 while the price of a new berthing structure is estimated at £580,000.
Stewart Clark, marine operations manager for the council, said: “The work to make the pier safe for pedestrians would involve lifting boards and some timber supports would be replaced.
“A removable barrier would be put in place. We will liaise with the support group to ensure this does not affect any future plans for the pier.
“We also have an extra £25,000 for further works which are unidentified as yet.”
Cllr Ellen Morton, chairing the meeting, said: “We are doing the Waterfront work with the car park and the two things are adjacent to each other.
“When we are doing the car park there will be appearance improvements in the wider area. I have taken this report as urgent because we need a bit more flesh around the bones.”
She had previously said during earlier debate on the pier: “This is a difficult situation for Helensburgh and Lomond members, but they and the community have accepted that we cannot spend almost £1m on a pier that does not generate any income.
“The Waverley is not operating at the moment, although we know they are fundraising well.
“The leader (Cllr Aileen Morton)and depute leader (Cllr Gary Mulvaney) were able to identify a scheme that could identify some funding that the Scottish Government gave us, but the time frame is incredibly tight.
“We have to keep moving on the next bit of work, using the funding of £85,000.”
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