COMMUNITY councillors in Helensburgh have given their backing efforts to bring the town’s pier back into use – and have outlined a vision that they hope could see small cruise ships visit the town.
Members of Helensburgh Community Council (HCC) were reacting to the inclusion of significant work on the pier in a list of potential future bids by Argyll and Bute Council to the UK Government’s Levelling Up Fund (LUF).
The ‘Connected Helensburgh’ idea forms part of a proposed bid to the LUF for £50 million for transport projects across Argyll and Bute.
As well as carrying out structural repairs to the wooden section of the pier, the outline Helensburgh proposals – for which no formal funding bid has yet been submitted – include completion of a cycling route all the way from Dumbarton to Rosneath, developing a hydrogen or electric bus service to serve Helensburgh and HM Naval Base Clyde, and an additional rail halt at Garelochhead.
The pier has been closed to all marine traffic since 2018 due to concerns over the deteriorating state of the wooden section of the structure.
HCC vice-convener Peter Brown told the organisation’s November meeting: “There are a number of opportunities for the pier and we would obviously like to be involved with what’s going on.
READ MORE: New hope for Helensburgh pier in planned bid to UK Government fund
“We would like it to be available for the berthing of ships such as the Waverley, and potentially small cruise ships up to the size of the Hebridean Princess, as well as for leisure use.
“There’s also potential watersports access for stand-up paddleboarding and open water swimming. Then there’s the transport connection aspect. Can there be connections with Gourock and Kilcreggan again?
“Bringing the pier back into use also opens up the idea of a connection to Faslane without having to use the roads, which is a long-term stated aim of the base.”
HCC convener Norman Muir added: “We’re talking about laying down a marker: we want something done on the pier, and we have the capability and drive and energy to fulfil something along the lines Peter has outlined.”
Argyll and Bute Council has set aside work for resurfacing and other short-term improvements to the pier, alongside work on the adjacent waterfront leisure centre and swimming pool.
Mr Brown added: “Connected Helensburgh is much more than just making [the pier] pretty.
“There’s short-term work to be done to ensure the pier is serviceable, but we’re talking about a much more medium to long term investment.”
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