Glasgow berth of Waverley in need of urgent work

The “important” paddle steamer, which generates a reported £3.6m for the Scottish economy, has moored in its current location since 2003.

With no plans to move the boat in the near future, vital work is required to restore the berth.

City chiefs are expected to grant £50,000 of funding to Glasgow Science Centre Charitable Trust when they meet tomorrow.

Councillor Kenny McLean, City Convener for Neighbourhoods, Housing and Public Realm, said: “From May to August each year the Waverley departs from its berth at the Glasgow Science Centre to various locations on the Clyde Coast and Islands.

“As well as being an important cultural asset, an economic impact assessment commissioned by Waverley Excursions Limited noted that the vessel generates £3.6m for the economy in Scotland and supports 136 full-time jobs per year.

“Despite its cultural significance the Waverley remains reliant on public sector funding and charitable donations received through the Friends of Waverley Scheme to meet costs of maintenance and upkeep.

“Waverley Excursions Limited is unable to meet the full costs of necessary remediation works to the science centre berth and has sought a financial contribution from the council towards the cost of urgent works.”

Plans are being developed to bring areas around the River Clyde to life, including more activity on the river.

Mr McLean said: “The PS Waverley is one of the few vessels that currently provides access to the river for leisure purposes however its continued operation is threatened by the condition of existing berthing infrastructure.”

Total repair work to the berth will cost an estimated £108,189. Engineers found the quay walls are in a “reasonable structural condition” but identified a series of required works.

Urgent repairs include fixing damaged ladders and replacing missing life buoys. Other work, including paving, surfacing and replacing timber fenders, should be completed within one year, the engineers’ report found.

It also recommended an ongoing maintenance strategy over the next three to five years.

The repairs will be carried out when the Waverley is not berthed, with initial plans to start in May 2019.

Alternatively, work could be completed in September/October 2019 when the Waverley will be sailing in the Bristol Channel and South Coast.

The boat was moved from Anderston Quay to the science centre in 2003 due to construction of the Clyde Arc Bridge.

This was initially planned as a temporary measure until a new berth could be provided alongside the Riverside Museum.

However, it is now likely the Waverley will continue to use the current berth “in the medium to long term”.