A MAJOR redevelopment of Gourock Ferry Terminal project is a step closer with an engineering firm brought on board to draw up options.

Caledonian Maritime Assets Ltd (CMAL), which owns the terminal, has appointed Mott MacDonald to prepare options which will be whittled down to a final selection.

This will be used as the basis of a harbour masterplan for the upgrade of infrastructure.

The terminal revamp is part of the wider Gourock Harbour Infrastructure & Vessels Project, a partnership between Transport Scotland, CMAL, CalMac and Argyll & Bute Council.

It covers the redevelopment of the terminal, works to harbour infrastructure at Dunoon and delivery of new vessels.

CMAL’s vessels team is currently managing a procurement exercise to appoint a design consultancy to carry out a feasibility study for up to three passenger-only vessels for the Gourock-Dunoon and Gourock-Kilcreggan routes.

It aims to deliver a modern, reliable and resilient lifeline passenger ferry service between Gourock and Dunoon.

Graeme McGinty, senior project manager at CMAL, said: “We are still in the early planning stages of the terminal redevelopment project, but the appointment of an engineering consultant is a key milestone.

“This is a significant infrastructure project for CMAL that will deliver crucial investment in ageing infrastructure and ultimately provide a more resilient ferry service.

"It’s great to see work progressing.”

Mathew Ross of Mott Macdonald added: "We understand how important the facilities are to users and are looking forward to developing options for the harbour in conjunction with stakeholders.”