The council has announced that engineers from consultants Ramboll have been appointed to carry out a comprehensive principal inspection of the pier. 

Working with their specialist marine divers Shearwater Marine Services, who will conduct an underwater dive survey, Ramboll will carry out a detailed assessment of the pier’s condition both over and underneath the waterline.

The findings will give both the council and the Helensburgh Pier Company the latest information on the structure’s condition. This will support the identification of any possible repair requirements, future investment requirements and options for the long-term future of the pier. 

The survey will also elevate the understanding of the structural condition of the pier’s key parts, such as timber components, foundations and berthing infrastructure.

This is one of the actions that need to be taken for the pier to safely go back into use. Additionally, the charity and council are intending to form a lease of the pier that the charity could take on and use to get external funding for repairs that are necessary to enable the closure notice to be removed and the pier to be safely brought back into use. 

Next month, survey work is anticipated to go ahead, which would see specialist dive teams and inspection staff working on and around the pier. 

The public have been asked to respect all the temporary safety measures and to steer clear of work areas while surveys are being carried out to maintain the safety of the survey teams and members of the public. 

Councillor Ross Moreland, chair of Argyll and Bute Harbour Board, said: “Financial challenges facing the Council means that, more and more, we hope to strike partnerships with community organisations who are able to source additional, external funding that we cannot. 

“Carrying out this inspection is part of our commitment to supporting the work of Helensburgh Pier Company and the future of a beloved local structure.” 

Bill Purdon, chairman of the Helensburgh Pier Company, said: “The charity is most encouraged by the award of this contract to determine the current condition of the pier as it moves the process forward whereby we obtain the 25 year lease we have been seeking. 

“The report should highlight the repairs required to lift the closure notice and then once this is known we can launch our plans for the pier and start fundraising”.