Transferring Helensburgh pier to community ownership would help maintain the structure as a key asset for the town.

That’s the view of Vivien Dance, a director of Helensburgh and Lomond Chamber of Commerce, following news that the pier has been closed temporarily to marine traffic.

The closure, by Argyll and Bute Council, follows dire warnings about the safety of the pier contained in a report by Helensburgh Seafront Development Project (HSDP)

Mrs Dance said the move could have serious implications for local businesses, especially given the trade generated by paddle steamer Waverley bringing visitors to the town during the summer season.

She said: “This will inevitably impact on local commerce. People sometimes question the value of the Waverley coming to the town, but on every visit you see between 80 to 100 passengers coming off.

“We have reached this stage because the council have failed to keep the pier useable.”

Mrs Dance said she backed a bid by HSDP to bring the pier into local ownership under the Community Empowerment Act as this would open up the possibility of access to grants which would not be available to the council.

She said: “There is a very strong feeling in Helensburgh across all ages that the pier should belong to the community.

“There is a double tragedy that the pier is excluded from the council’s £18 million waterfront development plans, with not even a few thousand being spent on the pier.”

A spokesman for HSDP confirmed the group had approached the council with a view to community ownership under asset transfer as they believed this was the best way forward.

However, they said the group had still to see a council report on the matter and were unaware of its contents.

HSDP’s own report into the condition of the pier sounded dire warnings about its degradation and risks posed to the Waverley, its crew and passengers.

The HSDP report, drawn up by David Cantello, who served as the Queen’s Deputy Master at Faslane and as the facilities manager for jetties, said: “The severity of harm to members of the public or crew members is likely to be high.”

This was because some bollards on the pier have “hold down” bolts missing and are misaligned. There was also reportedly evidence of loss of structural strength in the supporting structure.

The HSDP spokesman said: “It cannot be entirely unexpected that, given the condition of the pier, the pier has been closed to vessel traffic.

“It is regrettable that such an historic and iconic part of the town has been allowed to fall into such a state of disrepair.

"However, it is to be hoped that, with the goodwill and assistance of the council along with the efforts of the townspeople, the pier can be restored to operational use.”

An Argyll and Bute spokesperson said: “We can confirm 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, Arch Henderson, who have produced a draft principal inspection report on our behalf. This will be considered by the harbour board at its next meeting.”

Waverley Excursions, who operate the historic paddle steamer, have yet to respond to a request for comment.