As Stewart Turner, Argyll & Bute's Principal Engineer - Development Services explained to Maritime Journal, Dunoon Pier is a category B listed structure which was constructed in 1896, although there have been several other piers in the Dunoon area since 1815.

At present Caledonian MacBrayne operates the Gourock to Dunoon vehicular and pedestrian ferry service between these two ports. This ferry link ensures that commuters can travel by public transport from Dunoon to Glasgow, firstly by ferry and then by train. The round trip journey of 50 miles allows daily commuting whereas the alternative journey by car of 190 miles makes daily commuting more difficult.

Over the years, storms which are regularly experienced in the Firth of Clyde have caused significant damage to this Victorian structure. In 1991, sections of decking and handrails were removed, and in 1995 the pier master's office was wrecked, along with more decking. Due to over-stretched Council budgets much of the repair work has had to be carried out on a piecemeal basis and substantial repair work is now required.

Two years ago, Argyll & Bute Council was successful in securing a grant of £2.5m through the Scottish Executive's Public Transport Fund, and together with the Council's contribution of almost £1m, this has allowed design work to be undertaken to prolong the life of the existing pier.

The existing linkspan at Dunoon, although only built in 1972 has a limited life. There are two reasons for this - the workmanship in the linkspan is very poor; and the orientation of the linkspan only allows side loading 'Streaker' type vessels to berth. Turner told Maritime Journal that it is considered that, within about seven years, the 'Streakers' will become non-operational and they will be replaced with the traditional bow/stern roll on roll off ferries.

Consequently, it is considered that the most appropriate solution is to provide a breakwater immediately to the south of the pier. The breakwater will have a vertical face on the lee side which would allow a new linkspan to be constructed in the future if funds were to be made available. The existing pier will be upgraded over the next 10 years or so, to allow other craft including the paddle steamer SS Waverley to use it.

Turner said the current project is at the planning stage. In addition to the requirements of the Town and Country Planning (Scotland) Act, the scheme also falls under the Environmental Impact Assessment Regulations and, consequently, a full Environmental Statement will be required as part of this submission.

The works will involve the construction of a mass fill rubble breakwater with a vertical face to the north, and a new car park which could be modified to accommodate a marshalling area for a new linkspan in the future.

The current scheme estimate is around £3m to £3.5m.

Due to the cost of the works, the scheme will shortly be advertised in the OJEC to allow suitably qualified contractors the opportunity to be considered for the work.

'If the planning application is successful, then it could be possible that tenders will be issued in a couple of months to allow the contract to be awarded in October, ' Turner explained.

Argyll and Bute Council will be the client for the scheme and the designer is Arch Henderson of Clydebank.