A NEW pontoon in Kilcreggan to the west of the village's pier is essential to securing a reliable future for the ferry link with Gourock, councillors have been told.

Residents in the village have expressed anger at Argyll and Bute Council's plans for new shoreside infrastructure for the ferries planned to serve the routes linking both Kilcreggan and Dunoon with Gourock in future.

They are concerned partly at the visual impact of the council's proposals - but also at what the plans might mean for the village's existing wooden Victorian pier, which is used by the current ferry but would only be for leisure and recreational use if a new ferry pontoon - and accompanying breakwater - is built. 

Disquiet has also been raised at elements of the council's consultation on its plans.

Councillor Andrew Kain (Independent, Oban South and the Isles), the authority's policy lead for transport services, provided an update on the future of the village's ferry service in a report to a full council meeting to be held next week.

Councillor Kain said: “In order to improve the reliability and resilience of the ferry service between the village, the wider community and Gourock, plans are being explored with service users and communities to take advantage of the investment being made in new vessels, helping to bring new economic opportunities to the area.

“Transport Scotland is close to confirming the designs for new passenger ferries coming into operation on the Gourock, Dunoon and Kilcreggan routes.

"Concerns for the existing B-listed pier at Kilcreggan having capacity to accommodate them safely have led to plans being developed for new accessible infrastructure that will see the service into the future.

“The council’s preferred option would see a pontoon built to the west of the existing pier.

"The existing, historic timber pier remain in place as a supplementary facility for leisure and recreational use by others, and the council would continue to maintain it for the benefit of the local community.

“Ferry users need reliable vessels; they need certainty that crossings will run; and our preferred option means that can happen. Not only that, this design will help bring economic opportunities to the area for years to come.

“We know that weather can present an issue on the current service as vessels approach the berth. This has a huge impact on the reliability of sailings so, in order to alleviate that risk and ensure vessels can berth safely and reliably in all conditions, a breakwater is included in the preferred option.

“This will enable vessels to berth in more difficult conditions, therefore improving the reliability of the service.

"The location and size of the breakwater has not yet finalised - this will be done during the detailed design stage.”

An update on the Rest and Be Thankful road also features in Councillor Kain’s report, with now-former transport minister Jenny Gilruth announcing in December that the Scottish Government would improve the Old Military Road diversion route.

Councillor Kain said: “The Rest and Be Thankful is a key element of Argyll and Bute’s infrastructure and plays a vital role in the local economy.

“The ongoing issues around the route undoubtedly have a severe impact on local people, businesses and the area’s profile as a popular destination for visitors.

“The planned improvements to the Old Military Road will help to provide a solution in the medium term to alleviate some of the problems but I’m sure I speak for the local community when I say that we are greatly looking forward to the announcement of the permanent solution by the Scottish Government in the spring.”