DUNOON-based Western Ferries (Clyde) has cemented its relationship with Port Glasgow’s Ferguson Marine Engineering by awarding it a £2 million contract for the production and installation of two new linkspans.

The pair have worked together in the past, with Ferguson previously building two vessels and two other linkspans for Western Ferries, which operates the vehicle and passenger ferry between Gourock and Dunoon.

The first of the new linkspans - a type of drawbridge that allows vehicles to pass from a pier onto a ferry - will be installed at McInroy’s Point in Gourock.

It will form part of a £2.5m overhaul of the Gourock port begun by Western Ferries earlier this year. Glasgow civil engineering business George Leslie is leading the terminal improvement works.

Western Ferries managing director Gordon Ross said the reinvestment programme was designed to ensure the firm “remains the most frequent, reliable and robust ferry service for the communities of Cowal and Inverclyde and for the 1.3 million passengers and 650,000 vehicles we safely transport each year”.

“This latest contract will ensure our services continue to meet the expectations and requirements of our growing customer base and means that 100 per cent of our linkspans are Scottish and Clyde built.”

Once the Gourock works are complete Hunter’s Quay in Dunoon will be upgraded and the second linkspan will be installed.