Plans for Perth to have a river taxi scheme are nearer fruition with the announcement that the council has secured more funding for the project and work will begin on installing pontoons this summer.
The council has already been awarded £593,000 from the Coastal Communities Fund and has now been granted a further £100,000 for phase two of the project.
This will be used to develop storage facilities at the new city activity centre at Willowgate.
It is proposed to install the pontoons on river banks, including one near the Fergusson Gallery, Perth, and another out at Willowgate, near Perth.
Perth and Kinross Council hopes the pontoons will increase visitors to the city.
Barbara Renton, Perth and Kinross Council’s director of environment, states in a report to council: “The City Plan sets out the ambition to position Perth as one of Europe’s great small cities and the riverfront plays a key part in this.
“Over the coming months, a number of additional projects are likely to be identified that encourage more residents and visitors to use the riverfront, over and above the pontoon project.”
She suggests there are “significant benefits” to the economy of the area if the use of the river as a tourist and recreational “asset” can be developed through the growth of the visitor market and increased spend.
Outline planning consent was granted for the development of pontoons at Willowgate, Elcho Castle and Fergusson Gallery and it is expected they will be built in the summer.
Ms Renton said: “It is expected that the pontoons will be used by local boat operators and recreational users, as a result of ongoing promotion and growth of the visitor market.”
Ms Renton alludes to further pontoons being built in Dundee and Fife, and confirms that they will be used between April and September each year, and removed between October and March to minimise damage and reduce maintenance costs.
“The pontoons along the River Tay will provide capacity to attract visitors via boat trips as well as opportunities for recreational use by visitors and local residents.
“An assessment of the market potential has been undertaken by the Tay and Earn Trust through a small-scale pilot, involving use of cobble boats, dialogue with boat operators and water-based sports organisations.
“It is anticipated that further investment in similar facilities elsewhere along the estuary will increase the potential for local tourist board operators to grow.
“The council will continue to support the trust in ongoing dialogue to encourage participation from Dundee and Fife Councils.
“The trust will promote the use of the pontoons and seek contributions from leisure boat operators for this service.”
Ms Renton also suggests the proposed development of a new park and ride facility built near Friarton Bridge will “improve connectivity.”
“It will provide for a range of transport choices by boat, walking, cycling and bus linking with the broader city region,” she says.