Campbeltown’s historic Old Quay re-opened to the public today, Monday, 3rd November, following the completion of an 18-month construction project to replace Wall A.
Dating back to the 18th century, the Old Quay has undergone numerous upgrades and repairs over the years. Beneath its reinforced concrete deck, the structure is primarily composed of infill material, sheet piles, interconnecting tie rods, and ground anchors. It remains a vital asset for ɬ Council, supporting commercial and private fishing vessels, a wide range of leisure craft, and contributing significantly to local tourism. The RNLI also operates from the quay.
The section known as Wall A, originally constructed in 1941, had shown signs of accelerated corrosion at low water levels. Inspections revealed significant deterioration, including holes in the sheet piles and a general loss of material thickness—up to 50% in both inner and outer sections—with some areas measuring less than 3mm.
Following a detailed business case for the North Pier, and a further evaluation of six potential options, the preferred solution was to replace Wall A entirely and dredge to a depth of -5mCD, including the creation of an access channel. This approach will extend the lifespan of the quay by approximately 120 years and provide a new deep-water berth, enhancing its usability for a variety of vessels.
After securing all necessary consents and licences, and through an open tender process, the Council appointed Dawson Wam in March 2024 to design and construct the new sheet pile wall.
The contracted works covered a 100-metre section of quay wall, with a height of approximately 10 metres from deck level to the dredged seabed. The new Wall A was installed one metre seaward of the original, using sheet piles tied into the existing structure with tie rods and anchored to the seabed. The area was then backfilled with suitable material, and the quay deck extended using reinforced concrete copes. Fixtures such as fenders, ladders, and bollards were also installed.
The upgraded section of the Old Quay has now been resurfaced and repainted, ready to meet the needs of its diverse users. Community benefits, provided by the contractor as part of the contract, include support with Christmas lights, local football pitches, school engagement etc.
Councillor John Armour, Policy Lead for Roads, Transport and Amenity Services, said:
“As ɬ lead, and a member of the community, I’ve taken a keen interest in the work on the Old Quay. It’s played such an important role in the life of Campbeltown for more than 200 years and to know its lifespan has been extended for at least another 100 years is quite something. Times may change, and how it’s used may alter, but it will still stand at the heart of the town for generations to come. My thanks to everyone involved in this fantastic project.”
