A COMMUNITY action group is holding a public presentation next weekend urging people to back their bid to save Helensburgh’s historic pier.

The Helensburgh Seafront Development Project (HSDP) has organised the meeting for Saturday, November 3, when they will outline their proposals to regenerate the dilapidated facility.

The move comes after Argyll and Bute Council, which owns the pier issued a Notice to Mariners announcing the temporary closure of the facility to all marine traffic on safety grounds.

The council’s decision followed a report on the condition of the pier compiled by consultants Arch Henderson LLP.

HSDP’s trustees say the council is under no obligation to carry out major work to regenerate the pier, and now the volunteer group hopes to strengthen support for a community-led plan.

A spokesperson for the HSDP told the Advertiser: “We want to show the community what we are doing for the pier, the main thing is just trying to save it.

“A lot of people didn’t really understand what could happen and now it has happened. We have been saying for a couple of years that it has been coming.

“There is no commitment for the pier coming from the council.

“The money invested at Oban, Dunoon and Greenock shows the potential of Helensburgh and we are set up better than those areas to be able to handle passengers from cruise liners and more visitors.

“Think how much more business all of our top restaurants, pubs and shops would get, it would be so much better for the town.”

In a letter to this week’s Advertiser, HSDP trustee David Cantello writes: “HSDP is committed to restoring your pier as a community asset for the town, for use by visiting vessels and small craft, walkers, fitness enthusiasts and to provide a hub for marine traffic and visitors to the area for the benefit of all in the town as well as stopping another piece of our heritage from crumbling into the sea as with Craigendoran pier.”

The group still requires more funding for an important feasibility study and also hopes to clarify the difference between their redevelopment project and the council’s improvement plan for the waterfront at the meeting, which will take place at the Helensburgh Parish Church halls in Colquhoun Square from 2pm next Saturday.

The pier’s most regular visitor is the historic paddle steamer Waverley, which has visited several times each week in June, July and August during her annual summer season of ‘doon the watter’ Clyde cruises.

A spokesperson for Waverley Excursions, which operates the famous ship, said: “During our planning process it is normal practice to contact port and pier operators and we will contact Argyll and Bute Council for an update once our 2019 planning begins.”

Confirming the pier’s temporary closure, a council spokeswoman told the Advertiser last week: “We have issued a ‘notice to mariners’ which temporarily closes Helensburgh pier, and have also advised the Waverley Trust.

“This was done on the advice of our consultants, who have produced a draft principal inspection report on our behalf.”

Arch Henderson’s report is due to be considered at the next meeting of the Argyll and Bute Harbour Board – though that meeting is not due to take place until Thursday, December 6.