An ambitious bid to transform the River Tay into a bustling thoroughfare for leisure boats and water taxis has won the backing of deputy first minister John Swinney.
The Perthshire North MSP was given the low-down on the highly anticipated plans during a meeting with the Tay and Earn Trust.
The group is working alongside Perth and Kinross Council on the project, which aims to promote a greater public use of the Tay.
Work is poised to begin on the £600,000 first stage of development, which involves the creation of three pontoons in and around Perth.
It is anticipated that the project could link-up with the V&A being built at Dundee’s waterfront.
Award-winning marine moorings specialist Gael Force has been appointed to design and install three berths. They will be built at the riverfront near the Fergusson Gallery, Willowgate and near Elcho Castle on the outskirts of the city.
Mr Swinney went on a boat trip with trustees to discuss their proposals.
He said: “The River Tay is an excellent natural, local resource. The Tay and Earn Trust has done an excellent job in managing and maintaining the river banks and footpaths, and I am very pleased that their regeneration work is beginning to improve access to the river for visitors.”
Mr Swinney added: “The pontoon project, as part of the regeneration, is an exciting prospect that will open the river up to new users and one that will hopefully encourage more people to make safe use of the river for leisure pursuits.”
He said: “I am very grateful to the trust for taking the time to take me out onto the open water and I hope many more people will be able to take advantage of this incredible resource in the future as a result of the work being done.”
Funding was secured through the Coastal Communities Fund – administered by the Big Lottery Fund – and each pontoon has planning permission.
It is one of the first projects to be carried out as part of the Perth City Plan, a vision of improvements for the city to be rolled out over the next 20 years.
The pontoons plan ties in with the recently endorsed City of Lights project, which aims to attract more visitors and investment into the area by illuminating local landmarks and streets.
