Campeltown Marina
Campbeltown's visitor pontoons are popular and a valuable asset to the town – photo: Mike Balmforth
SCOTLAND: The prospect of a marina rather than a single pontoon at the strategically placed port of Campbeltown is being progressed within the €7m Sail West Interreg IVA Cross Border Programme, writes Mike Balmforth.
The initial technical feasibility study has found a marina is technically feasible within Campbeltown Harbour, and there is overall stakeholder support for the project. On the other hand the berths proposed have already been reduced from 145 to 45 due to lowered demand projections, the proposal is not self financing, and there is a substantial capital shortfall.
Campbeltown CHORD Project Board has agreed that further investigations should be carried out to look at lower capital costs and alternative technical solutions and funding sources.
The board's objectives are that the project would be commercially viable, with an agreed robust and sustainable management organisation.
Hyder Consulting (UK) is continuing its work on the technical feasibility study. The Argyll & Bute Council CHORD project (Campbeltown, Helensburgh, Oban, Rothesay, Dunoon) seeks to invest £30m in the towns in major improvements to the town centres and waterfronts of all five towns.
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