Published: Friday, 3rd July, 2009 2:57pm

Waverley to sail from Fairlie

Comments (5) | Print | Email

The Waverley will be calling at Fairlie Pier three times per week until Largs Pier is completed and ready for use on 25 July.

We have reported in recent weeks how the discovery of Victorian sheet piling has resulted in a delay for the new Largs Pier to open.

Last month, the 'News" revealed that following the discovery, the local pier, one of the most profitable stops in the Waverley run, will not be ready until the last week in July for the famous paddlesteamer.

CMAL, the company which owns assets including piers and harbours, stated that the £6m project to re-build the historic pier is not now due for completion until mid-August after the contractor George Leslie Ltd, uncovered the problem. The pier will be ready and open for the Waverley though in the last week of July.

A compromise has been reached to use Fairlie Quay while Largs Pier undergoes the final phase of its construction period over the coming weeks.

Cunninghame North MSP Kenny Gibson, who has been involved in both talks with Waverley and CMAL, said: 'I am delighted that common sense has prevailed and Fairlie, rather than Wemyss Bay will be used in the interim.

'One hopes that the adverse impact on both Largs and the Waverley regarding this matter will be very limited and that we can look forward to the Waverley using Largs Pier for many years to come.'

The Waverley will be calling in at Fairlie Quay on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays, and a bus has been arranged to run from Largs to Ayr for the Ailsa Craig sailings on Sundays. The first Waverley visit to Fairlie Pier will take place on Tuesday 7 July at approximately 12.20pm. There is a car park facility at Fairlie Quay which is a ten minute walk from the Pier.