Constituency MSP, Jackie Baillie, has urged Argyll and Bute Council to work with the local community to secure the future of Helensburgh Pier after the Scottish Government reveal that funding is available for pier owners.

The responses to a series of Parliamentary questions submitted by the MSP reveal that there have been no community buyouts of piers in Scotland over the last ten years. The Cabinet Secretary for the Environment, Climate Change and Land Reform also revealed that Marine Scotland have a Harbour repair fund and Historic Environment Scotland also provide funding for projects of significant architectural or historic importance.

Both sources of funding are only available to the owner of the pier. There may be other opportunities to raise money for improvements if the local community is engaged in the process.

Jackie said:

“Knowing that there is funding available to restore the pier is a positive step forward for the local community. I am hopeful that the council will work with local people to ensure that Helensburgh Pier can be improved and re-opened as quickly as possible.

“The pier has huge local significance not just historically, but for our economy. It is so important that there is no delay and as an interim measure, the pier is functioning by the start of the summer season to enable the Waverley to call in to Helensburgh.”

ENDS