Largs Pier Review, Scotland
Caledonian Maritime Assets Ltd (CMAL) commissioned Fisher Associates to undertake a review of public access to the pier at Largs, Ayrshire on the Firth of Clyde.
The pier was under reconstruction in the first half of 2009, during which access to the public was denied partly as a consequence of the deterioration of the condition of the old pier, and also as a result of the construction works associated with rebuilding the pier.
There was local concern that this prohibition would continue on completion of the rebuilding works. However, both CMAL (the pier owner and statutory authority) and CalMac Ferries Ltd (the pier operator), made a public commitment to do everything possible to allow public access to the new pier within operational, safety and security constraints.
CMAL therefore required an assessment identifying the risks associated with (potentially unrestricted) public access to the redeveloped pier, and to propose control measures by means of appropriate management, operational and physical procedures and structures, such that any unacceptable risks identified were mitigated to an acceptable level. (2008/9)