Delays in Largs pier could sink steamer

Published on Saturday 27 June 2009 19:44

THE world's last sea-going paddle steamer could be sunk because of an end of the pier no-show.

The Waverley was built in 1946 and still ferries tens of thousands of people down the Clyde every summer. But fears are growing that delayed renovation work to Largs pier could threaten the veteran vessel's economic viability.

Iain MacLeod, of the boat's owners, the Waverley Steam Navigation Company, has written to his MSP urging him to press for government action to speed up work at the Ayrshire resort.

In his letter to David Whitton, Labour MSP for Strathkelvin and Bearsden, MacLeod says the future of the vessel, which has received around 5 million of public investment in recent years, could be at stake.

He wrote: "The viability of Waverley's crucial Scottish season and indeed her entire future is seriously threatened by the failure of CMAL, the Scottish Government's maritime infrastructure company, to make arrangements for her to call at Largs Pier.

"The pier is under reconstruction and the project has been delayed. After a difficult season in 2008 when the weather played havoc with plans, Waverley's 40,000 regular supporters have raised 250,000 to ensure she can sail in 2009 and keep alive the tradition she preserves.

"Waverley means a great deal to the Scottish people. Now her entire future is threatened. The 11,500 passengers who join her at Largs in a typical season are the difference between a successful season and a loss-making one. Waverley could not survive another loss-making season."

Whitton said: "I am deeply concerned that the Waverley's summer season is now threatened because construction work on Largs Pier has overrun. The Scottish Government needs to step in and knock heads together to find a solution."

Kathleen O'Neill, general manager at Waverley Excursions, who operate the paddle steamer, said: "CMAL have said they could advance the programme by 11 days, but say they don't have the funds to do so."

But a spokeswoman for CMAL denied money was the issue, saying: "We have given a lot of time and consideration to getting this work done more quickly, but it has just not been technically possible."